Okay so in this One-Shot it's after endgame and Tony lived because I am still in denial even though it's been over a year, yes I am so freaking stubborn!

James 'Bucky' Barnes was a new man. When he went to Wakanda he never thought he would be able to the man he once was, and won't be. The experiences he's been through made sure of that. But he has changed for the better from his past murderous self. He was glad to have been given a second chance.

He was glad that he could experience this new, odd, world with his best friend Steve. Steve has always been there for him, and he didn't know if he could get through this without him. He needed his best friend.

But it seems as if the world can't slow down. It's as if there is always something standing in the way of him from moving on. Right now it seems to be the big purple grape from outer space. Well, it was more the aftermath of his terror.

The Avengers had won, they saved the day. But at what cost? They lost an important member. Natasha Romanoff, the ex Russian spy who seemed to be the glue that held the team together.

He has seen Steve cry over losing her, he knew the two were close. It was safe to say that Natasha was his best friend as well. But as much as Steve hurt for his best friend, it wouldn't match the pain Bucky felt for her.

Natasha and Bucky grew up together, well Natasha grew up, Bucky trained her as a teenager. He taught her how to fight. But beyond that, Bucky was the first person Natasha ever learned to trust, and she was the first person for him to love. Bucky was in love with Natasha Romanoff, and he has been for a very long time.

Coming back, after the fight, Bucky was more than excited to reunite with her, but the pained look on Steve's face when he asked for her was one he could never forget.

"Buck," He started.

"What? What is it? Where is Natasha?" No one knew of their relationship beside Steve, because the couple was very private. But everyone guessed that there was something between the two because whenever someone mentioned Bucky within the five years of the snap she would tense up and leave the room. The entire team knew.

"I'm so sorry. If I had known something was going to happen I wouldn't have done what I did. I wouldn't have sent her there, I would have taken her place if I had known we would have found another way. Know that Bucky, know that if I could change things I would," He was rambling, Steve only rambled when he was nervous.

"Steve, you are making no sense," he said. "Just tell me where she is."

"Bucky, Natasha is gone."

"No. You're lying." He said shaking his head. "You have to be lying. Steve tell me you're lying." He could feel Sam's gaze on them soften, as he was standing quietly behind them. He felt the pain erupt in the atmosphere around them.

"I'm so sorry," Steve reached out to give his best friend a hug but Bucky dodged his touch shaking his head.

"No. This can't be real."

"Bucky," Sam said.

"No fuck off." He said pushing away from the pair. Bucky didn't remember how he got to the apartment that Stark set up for everyone to say at, but once he was there he didn't want to leave.

How could fate be so cruel? How could it take away someone who was damn focused on fixing herself, she didn't need to be fixed in Bucky's mind, but since she believed she did she was able to accomplish so much, she became the person Bucky always knew she would be in the red room. She was a hero. But that's also what killed her.

Why did she have to be god selfless?

He spent a week locked up in his apartment. He couldn't bear leaving, living, moving on without her. Steve and Sam tried so many times to get Bucky to talk to them, but it wasn't until word came to him that Steve was traveling back in time. He had to be there for his best friend.

He watched as his best friend disappeared with only a briefcase and a hammer. Steve gave him a promise before he left, that he wouldn't leave him, that he would be back. He just got Bucky back, he couldn't leave him again.

"Bring him back!" Sam yelled after a few seconds passed. Bruce and Sam started to panic, but Bucky was almost numb. He knew that something was going to happen. That's just how his life is. It's full of disappointment and heartache. Why should this be any different? Fate would do that to him, have him mourn the love of his life, and his best friend. Take everything that kept him sane.

His past seemed to be determined to stay his past. He knew that he was going to live a long life, but what that was going to be full of, well it seemed like it would be ruled by pain. He's lost everything he's ever loved. His mother, his sister, Natasha, and now Steve. It was only a matter of time before Sam was gone. And he didn't even like Sam that much!

What would he do when everyone was gone? He would definitely outlive everyone here, thanks to the serum. Well maybe except Thor and Bruce, but he didn't know them. How long could they live anyways? It didn't matter. He'd have to watch everyone leave. What would he do?

Surely he could get a job. But what would he do?

When he was younger all he had wanted to do was join the army with his best friend. He never knew what would be after that. Back then the war seemed like it would never end. But it was over, all the wars were now. Maybe Nick Fury would hire him, and he could work to save people. Make Natasha proud. Start an organization that promotes what she loves. Peace, helping people find their way. Yes. That's what he would do. He would make sure Natasha's spirit lives on for as long as possible. It's what a true hero deserved. He also through Steve's name somewhere in there, he was okay too. Ha.

"You don't seem too thrilled to see me," Steve's voice rang out, pulling Bucky from his thoughts. Bucky looked up and was shocked to see that Steve was there. He was alive. Fate didn't have it our for him completely.

"Well your face doesn't exactly make me thrilled." He joked.

"Well maybe you'd be more excited to see her," Steve stepped aside revealing a small redhead, she had a smirk lacing her face.

"Hey, Barnes." She smiled. "Miss me."

"no...how are you here? You were-"

"Dead? Looks like death couldn't handle me." She smirked with a small laugh. "Are you going to come up here and give me a hug or do I have to go down there." Bucky couldn't move at all. "I do probably have some broken bones, and a cut on my head that needs treatment fast but do take your time to decide."

Sam nudge Bucky gently and whispered. "Go before she hurts herself even more." Bucky moved faster than ever to pick his girl up. Natasha wrapped her arms around his neck as Bucky picked her up with a smile.

"I thought I lost you."

"Last time I was here I thought I lost you too." She whispered.

"When I woke up. I felt something missing. When I found out you were gone... nothing made sense. I was so lost."

"I know exactly how you feel." She whispered. "I never thought I'd see you again."

"I'm so fucking happy you're back."

"Careful," She said now in her normal voice. "Steve doesn't like that kind of talk."

"You know what Romanoff?" Steve said now speaking up.

"Hey," Bucky said. "Don't need my girl and my idiot of a best friend fighting. If I had to choose sides I'm sorry but it would be hers." Bucky teased pulling away from his girlfriend and looking at Steve.

"Idiot? Her side?!" Steve exclaimed. "Excuse me but who just risked their life to save her so you would stop mopping around? I didn't even get a thank you." Natasha smirked laying her head on Bucky's shoulder.

"Do you want a metal?" Bucky asked jokingly. "But seriously. Thank you Steve," Bucky nodded at his best friend. He was sure that he was going to talk to Steve later on, but right now they had more important things to worry about.

"Listen as much as I love this whole bromance shit," Natasha said. "I need a doctor because having broken limps isn't as fin as it may seem."

"Geez idiot, you just gonna stand here flirting with Steve while she bleeds out?" Sam shook his head in fake disappointment. "Let's go Nat, let them all flirt. We will get you to a doctor."

"Wow, Sam you're my true prince charming."

"Hey, hands-off," Bucky said lifting Natasha up before Sam could come near them. Natasha bit her lip in pain when he did that. "Sorry." They all trouted off to take her the hospital.

Bucky waited patiently in the waiting room. This all felt so unreal. He felt like maybe life wasn't so against him. His best friend was safe, and the woman he loved was right here fighting for her life. She was a fighter and there was no doubt in her mind that she would get through this. Because Natasha Romanoff wasn't someone who gives up without a fight. Even if she was, he was going to stand by her side. Always.

"I want you to know that I don't ever want to be away from you ever again," Bucky said once they allowed her to come into her hospital room.

"What are you talking about James?"

"I had to believe for a moment that I would never see you again. It was the worse pain I had ever felt. I don't ever want to feel like that again."

"So what are you going to do about that babe?" She asked.

"I know this might not be the most ideal place. You know what I should do this, I shouldn't do this. You deserve something better, something more-"

"James," She said softly. "I don't care that we are in the hospital. I just came back from the dead and I don't see any better place. Keep going." She urged him to go on. Bucky watched her in order to make sure that she was okay with it. She nodded her head softly.

"Natasha Romanoff, you are the bravest person I have ever met, you have a sort of light that makes me... well makes me nervous." He laughed. "When we first met I knew you were different. I knew that we connected and that you were made for something much more then what the world gave you. So I hope that I can be apart of your world. The beautiful world that you live in. I want to be apart of it forever. I want to be able to wake up with you every day. I want to be the one who can make you smile. So Natasha Romanoff, will you do the absolute honor of becoming my wife?" Natasha looked at him with a smile, tears almost coming off down her cheeks. She nodded her head.

"Yes," She nodded her head. "Yes, of course, I will marry you Bucky."

"Really?"

"Don't act so surprised James." She laughed. "Now are you going to kiss me or what? Can't make a girl wait forever." Bucky laughed and leaned over her hospital bed to kiss her. After a moment he pulled away. "Steve is going to shake his head when he realizes you proposed without a ring in a hospital."

"Who said I don't have a ring?" he asked and pulled a chain from his neck it had a ring at the bottom. "It's my sisters."

"James I can't-"

"You can. She would have loved you." He reached out for her hand. "Please." Reluctantly Natasha gave him her hand. He placed the ring on her hand. Natasha smiled and pulled him in for another kiss.

Their relationship was in way perfect. It probably wasn't even close to being perfect. But it was enough and beautiful to them. Neither could ask for anything more or anything less. They were reunited at last, and this time, nothing was going to tear them away. Not if either of them had anything to say about it.