"Being completely free of Hydra's brainwashing before I die, getting my freedom back-that's enough for me."
"Now it's time to pay my debt to everyone I killed."
Before, he might still have clung to a sliver of hope of surviving, of reclaiming his life.
But after being controlled by Hydra, the Black Panther siblings, and Hermione in succession, he was utterly exhausted.
Steve stood to one side, looking at Tony with pleading eyes.
Before, he might have been able to forcibly stop Tony, but once Hermione appeared, that was no longer possible.
Tony closed his eyes.
After a long while, he opened them.
He strode up to Bucky, raised his fist, and slammed it into Bucky's face.
Bucky didn't dodge. The blow knocked him straight into the snow, blood spilling from the corner of his mouth.
"That punch was for my parents."
Tony looked down at Bucky on the ground.
"Go."
Hearing those words, Steve was overjoyed.
Before he could say anything, Tony turned to look at him.
"Did you know all along?"
The joy vanished from Steve's face.
He fell silent.
After a long time, he said quietly, "He's my friend."
Tony looked at him and threw another punch.
The blow snapped Steve's head to the side, and his cheek quickly began to swell.
"So was I once." Tony lowered his hand. "But not anymore."
"Both of you, get out."
Steve turned his head back and looked at Tony.
"I'm sorry."
Then he and Bucky turned away, trudging through the snow and deeper into the storm.
Sam, the Falcon, stood nearby. He looked at Tony, then at the two retreating figures, and followed them without much hesitation.
After all, he was a diehard Captain America fan. Of course he would leave with the Captain at a time like this.