The Avengers Compound was buzzing with its usual controlled chaos. Tony was in the middle of an animated explanation about a new upgrade to the training simulators, gesturing broadly at a holographic display. Bruce was half-listening, flipping through a tablet, while Sam stood nearby, arms crossed, shaking his head at something Tony said. Thor's booming laugh echoed from somewhere down the hall.

Natasha sat beside Y/N on the couch, idly scrolling through a tablet, one leg tucked beneath her. The front doors slid open with a soft hiss, and the room seemed to pause.

Steve Rogers walked in.

He looked different. The clean-shaven, bright-eyed soldier was gone. In his place was a man with a beard, longer hair, and a weariness that somehow made him more striking. He carried a duffel bag over one shoulder, his posture relaxed but still ready.

Y/N just blinked, still staring.

Y/N, meanwhile, was reconsidering every decision she'd ever made.