╭ ⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸ ╮

𝑹 𝑼 𝑵 𝑵 𝑰 𝑵 𝑮  𝑰 𝑵  𝑭 𝑬 𝑨 𝑹
❝ 𝚋𝚎𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚜𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚒𝚜𝚑𝚎𝚍 𝚜𝚊𝚏𝚎𝚕𝚢 𝚛𝚎𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚗𝚎𝚍 ❞

╰ ⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸ ╯

ㅤ𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐏𝐇𝐎𝐁𝐎𝐒 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐎𝐃, hand in hand with Bucky, his sister and father by his side, as they all stared towards the water. A bouquet of flowers floated on the water, with Tony Stark's original arc reactor sitting on top.

'PROOF THAT TONY STARK HAS A HEART,' was written on the arc reactor, and everyone who stood there knew it better than everyone else. Even Ares, known by most as a cold-hearted man, knew how true those words were.

The air was somber, and everyone wore black. Phobos, who was known to sport a nice suit and tie, decided to wear his best. He turned to look at Bucky's face, whose eyebrows were furrowed in deep thought.

Feeling eyes on him, Bucky turned to face his lover, and gave his hand a squeeze.

After watching the bouquet get further and further, Adrestia and Ares turned to greet Phobos goodbye. Ares gave Bucky a small smile before offering his hand to shake. The soldier gave him a smile back as he shook the God of War's hand. The father and daughter gave the two nods, before disappearing in a beam of light.

Phobos gave Bucky a smile as they walked away from everyone else, their hands still clasped together. The two decided on sitting on a bench that faced the water.

"So, what now?" The God of Fear asked, relaxing as Bucky leaned into him in reassurance. Both their gazes were fixed on the still water.

Bucky hummed. "Well, Steve's gonna go back to return the stones. Then after that...nothing." He pushed his head away from Phobos' shoulder, where it had been laying, and turned to look at him in the eye. He smiled. "Maybe finally...I can rest."

A chuckle escaped Phobos' lips. "You know, probably the most peaceful place you can find is my temple. I can take you there, if you want."

Bucky couldn't help but give him a chaste kiss on the lips, before letting go to stare right into his eyes. "I'd like that."

With hands in his pockets, Phobos stood next to Bucky as they watched Steve get on the new mini time machine they built to put all the stones back to their original timelines.

"You ready, Cap?" Bruce asked, and Steve replied with a nod. "Alright, we'll meet you back here, okay?"

"You bet."

"Going quantum. Three, two, one." And Steve was off.

Bucky teared his eyes away from where his best friend stood, his heart heavy. He knew that Steve was going to do something, something big. But he knows he'll keep his promise, he will be back, but the question was whether or not he'll be back in the same way he left. Despite the hurt growing within him, he turned to gaze at Phobos, knowing that just as long as they stay by each other's side, he'll be happy.

"Where is he?" Sam asked with furrowed eyebrows.

"I don't know," Bruce replied. "He blew right by his timestamp."

Phobos turned to look behind him, and noticed an elderly man sitting on the bench that he and Bucky previously sat on. He sighed, a sad smile on his face, as he nudged the man beside him. His lover turned to look at the same thing he was looking at, now with squinted eyes.

"Sam," Bucky called. He knew it was Steve, just by glancing at the shield placed next to him.

Turning his attention to Bucky, Sam followed his line of sight. The two slowly walked towards the man, with Phobos right behind them.

"Go ahead," Bucky all but whispered, giving Sam a rueful smile before gazing back at his now-aged best friend. Phobos walked up to him, giving him a reassuring smile before kissing his temple.

As Sam and Steve conversed, the God of Fear asked, "Are you okay?"

"I will be," Bucky smiled, "just as long as you're here."

Phobos grinned, wrapping an arm on his shoulders. "I love you."

"I love you too."

After Sam was officially given the shield, Steve turned around and beckoned Phobos over. The god in question gave Bucky a confused look, but all he was given was a shrug. He frowned, before making his way to the old man.

"Come sit," old Steve ordered, and Phobos did as he asked. "You know...that day, when you and Adi were talking...I heard you talk about a prophecy. It's bugged me then, and it's bugged me 'til now. Care to share?"

Phobos chuckled. "Well, I guess since it's over now, might as well. Apollo told the gods of a prophecy...about the Avengers." He took a deep breath, before beginning to recite. "A war between friends shall bring forth a storm, with these events a weapon will form. Soul, Mind, Space, Time, Reality, and Power will make the universe cower. At first will fail in the hands of a madman; dust shall cover all the land. A man shall stand alone in a land burned, before those that perished safely returned." He lowered his eyes, feeling Steve's heavy gaze on him.

"So, you knew what was going to happen?" Steve's voice held no emotion.

"Pretty much," Phobos sighed. "I just--"

"You don't have to explain yourself to me," Steve cut him off, a smile forming on his face. "You did the right thing."

"You think so?"

"I know so," Steve shrugged. "I know the feeling of having the weight of the world on your shoulders. And I know the feeling of just...wanting to let it all go. But you made the right choice, Phobos." He began to grin. "You and Bucky are lucky to have each other."

"So you approve?" Phobos teased.

"Just as long as you invite me to your wedding," Steve teased back. "And you better have it soon, because I don't know how long I'll last."

Phobos cackled. "Don't worry, old man. You'll still get to be best man."

𝑭𝑰𝑵.

author's note: hope you guys enjoyed the book! it was a blast to write, from start to finish, and i'm glad so many people have voted and commented. thank you all so much!