The chaos of the month after the death of Thanos was confusing. Basil was reeling from it. The death of Nat not something he had expected and yet it hit him hard. He mourned her, mourned Vision too, like he mourned his brother. It hung heavy in his chest and he knew the weight of it would decrease with time, it would never go away. Natasha had been the first friend he had made in this current century and he wasn't quite sure how yet to navigate the world knowing that she was no longer just a call away. That she wouldn't be dropping by for their ice cream and drama nights, or nagging him for cat pictures during missions. 

"You know, I tried", Bruce's voice brought him back to the present. The sunlight streaming through the trees and the river to their backs gleaming. The autumn day fresh. "When I had the gauntlet, the stones, I really tried to bring her back. I miss her man". Basil glanced through the trees to the edge of what had been the avengers facility and was now a ruined battle field that looked apocalyptic in the daylight.  

"Me too", Steve patted Bruce on the back. (It was still strange to see the hulk body with Bruce's personality and brain). Basil half expected to see Tony there but the man had sworn off time travel. Besides, he was busy dealing with the organisation of the clean up of the battlefield. There was a lot of work to be done. 

"Remember. Alternate realities", the hulk reminded. 

"I got it, I got it", Steve huffed as he took the briefcase containing the stones. 

"You know, I could come with you", Sam offered. 

"You're just wanting to try out time travel", Basil sniped. "Admit it". 

"Hey! It would be cool!" Sam shot back defensively. Basil glanced around at the platform and the various metal arms sticking out of it and grimaced. It looked like some science experiment waiting to happen, but he guessed that was the best they could do considering the original was blown up. 

"Guys", Steve held up a hand. "It's fine". He smiled at them with something heavy in his eyes. "You're a good man Sam. This one's on me though". The three of them had reached where Bucky had been standing waiting for them by the steps up to the platform. Basil walked closer and held out his hand questioning. Bucky smiled and took it, linking their fingers together as Steve faced them. 

"Don't do anything stupid until I get back", the blonde said, though it was less jovial and more nostalgic. 

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

Steve chuckled and leaned in to clasp Bucky in a hug. "I'm going to miss you buddy", Bucky whispered. 

"It is going to be okay Buck". Steve nodded at him before turning to Basil. "You look after him for me Baz. Don't drag him into any trouble". 

"Don't break anything or do anything too reckless", Basil replied, though his heart hurt. The conversation from the day before and the knowledge of what was going to happen ached. But it was a hopeful ache. He hoped that Steve was going to be happy. "Doctor's orders". 

Steve reached over and drew Basil into a tight hug. Basil leaned up and rested his chin on the blonde's shoulders. "The next time we see each other you owe me a drink". 

"We shall see about that", Steve smiled as he pulled away. Basil didn't say anything else as he watched the blonde climb the steps up to the platform. Once he was in the centre, he turned back to look at them as the machine whirred to life. 

"How long is this going to take?" Sam asked as Steve pressed a button and a white suit folded out over his uniform.

"For him, as long as he wants. For us, five seconds", Bruce replied from where he was bent over the controls. Steve picked up Thor's hammer from where it had been waiting for him. (Basil thought that was rather cool and was only a little grumpy that he couldn't lift the thing as well). 

"Ready Cap?" Bruce voiced. Steve nodded. "Okay we'll met you back here alright. Going Quantum in three. two". Basil sighed and squeezed Bucky's hand. It squeezed back gently. "One". There was a flash of light, a hum of machinery and Steve was gone. 

"Okay. Returning in five, four, three, two, one". Nothing. The machine didn't even spark. Bruce glanced at his controls with a frown. 

"Where is he?" Sam spoke up. 

"I don't know. He flew right by his time stamp. He should be here". 

Bucky smiled, though it was more nostalgic and fond than happy. He nudged Basil with his shoulder and together they turned away from the platform. Bucky went to leave, taking two steps and pausing when Basil didn't follow him. The curly haired man was staring at a figure but the water. Bucky followed his gaze. 

"Get him the hell back!" Sam's voice was raising. 

"Sam", Bucky called gently. It said a lot about tone that Sam and Bruce didn't need to say anything. They just looked up and saw what Bucky and Basil had been staring at. Together, the three men walked closer to the bench where the white haired man was sitting. Basil stopping a certain distance away, Bucky stopping with him. 

"Go on", Basil smiled, titling his head at Sam. "We had the conversation yesterday. We knew there was a chance he would try this". Sam sighed and they watched him walk forwards to join Steve on the bench. From the distance, they couldn't make out what the two men were saying. 

"Steve looks as old as I feel sometimes", Basil sighed. "While I still look to be in my thirties. Do you think the five years count towards our age?" 

"No clue. But what does five years make once you reach over a hundred?" 

"I guess you're right", Basil hummed as he rested his head on Bucky's shoulder. "Oh so he did give him the shield. I knew he would". 

"Parrish", Bucky's voice made him lift his head and look up. The blue eyes were impossibly fond and Basil saw him lean in. Green eyed fluttering closed as he was kissed. It was smooth and warm and loving. 

"What was that for?" He breathed as they parted, eyes opening to stare into blue. 

"I just felt like it", Bucky smiled and for a second it felt like nothing had changed since their first kiss so many years ago.

Basil beamed at him. "Do you feel like another?" 

Bucky chuckled, the sound rich. "Don't push it Parrish". But he was leaning in again anyway. Basil raised a hand to cup the man's cheek as he was kissed again. He had no idea what his life was going to be like, it having turned on it's head for the tenth time, but he had gotten pretty used to change. He could deal with change, would embrace it if it let him keep this. And it seemed that this time, he could. 

unedited

Here we are. I was procrastinating these last chapters for a while mostly cause I didn't want to say goodbye to Nat, Tony and Steve. 

Hope you all enjoyed it, and thank you for reading this far.

As  I do with all finished books, I will be having a Q&A. So comment any questions you may have about this series below and I will endeavour to answer them in a few days. 

Have a lovely day/night.