Avengers: Infinity War, as well as its untitled sequel Avengers 4, will serve as the one-two punch grand finale to the first three phases of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Stretching all the way back to the first Iron Man film, audiences will witness an epic conclusion to all of the elements that have been building for the last decade of Marvel movies. These two films will serve as a swan song of sorts for many long-standing characters, those who are played by actors whose contracts will be up, and who will move on to other roles beyond Marvel Studios.

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Such will likely be the case for many of the original Avengers like Hawkeye, Thor, Bruce Banner/Hulk, Black Widow, Iron Man and Captain America -- the team that started it all. But while the story of these characters may reach its end, we don't yet know what form these ends will take. With Thanos, the Mad Titan, arriving on Earth as the major villain the Avengers will face, many assume that the alien tyrant, armed with his Infinity Gauntlet, will come to kill at least a few fan-favorites.

The first teaser trailer for Avengers: Infinity War definitly had a foreboding tone to it, something that warned of not only the scale of the ensemble film, but of impending danger - it truly looks like the next two Avengers films will be the, ahem, end of the line for many characters. While it would make sense for characters like Thor and Iron Man to make the ultimate sacrifice, there is one whose story shouldn't end with death: Steve Rogers, Captain America.

Chris Evans' original contract entitled the actor to appear in a total of six movies as The Sentinel of Liberty - his solo trilogy, as well as a trilogy of Avengers films. Now, when Infinity War proved to be such a massive undertaking, the movie was actually split into two parts, and Evans was gracious enough to extend his contract with one more film -- one final appearance as Captain America. But it seems highly unlikely that the actor will do so again, meaning that Avengers 4 could be his last movie as the beloved super-soldier.

The simple fact that Steve is a soldier, ready to lay his life down for his teammates makes him an easy candidate as a potential victim of Infinity War or Avengers 4. But this is exactly why Steve shouldn't be the one to die. Because we expect him to. Captain America is a hero, through and through, and he will stand up to anyone who deserves it. This is who he is, who he has always been, ever since he first graced the big screen back in Captain America: The First Avenger. Just like Steve stood up against an inconsiderate audience member, and just as he stood up against the Red Skull, Hydra and the government, so too will he stand up against Thanos, simply because, in the most basic of terms, the villain is just another bully.

Many expect that Captain America going up directly against Thanos means that the character will die, seeing as how Steve is just man with slightly-heightened strength, going up against a mad tyrant with a glove that could reshape reality. And to be perfectly honest, that is quite certainly a possibility. But Steve Rogers is a character who's story simply shouldn't end with such finality.

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Steve Rogers is a character who has never once had the opportunity to have a good and quiet life. Growing up in Brooklyn as a scrawny young man was never easy for him, and even when he underwent the Project: Rebirth program, he emerged as a soldier who never had the time to rest. He went from poster boy to soldier, moving from one battle to the next until he found himself frozen in ice, only to be woken up 70 years later, taking to battle once again.

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And yet, through all of this, through all of his selfless heroism and dedication to do what is right, it's easy to forget that Steve only wanted a partner, someone he could settle down with, and have a normal life. He saw the potential for that future with Agent Carter, but he sadly never got to fulfill it, circumstances and time pulling them apart.

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In Avengers: Age of Ultron, the movie explored what, if anything, Steve had outside of the team, and his purpose to fight. This idea was laid bare both in Steve's Scarlet Witch-induced vision, as well as his visit to Clint Barton's family home. At the end of the film, Steve realized that he wasn't the same man once he had woken up in the present, and that the Avengers were his home and family. But in Captain America: Civil War, Steve grew closer to Sharon Carter, once again showing Steve's desire to find someone, and settle down. However, even then, both characters recognized that time wasn't on their side, and that they probably could never have the relationship that they would want.

This all goes to show that Steve deserves a bit of stability, and a bit of a happy ending. This being a universe based on comics, there are many possible endings outside of death. There are other realms and realities, different timelines and possible futures. Steve's story has always been that of a man out time, so it could make sense to see his story end with him returning to a time that is his own. With Doctor Strange and the Time Stone in the mix, Steve could see it fit, when all is said and done, to return to an alternate timeline where he can finally have the life he always wanted with Agent Carter. Such an ending would be more than bittersweet, and it would offer a conclusion that would bring Steve's story full-circle.

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If not that, there there is always the possibility of Steve losing the Super Soldier Serum that kept him young and strong. Such a development occurred in the comics, and this could be a fitting way to have Steve retire the shield without having to die or disappear. This would then open the door for someone else (looking at you, Bucky) to pick up the shield, with the chance of doing so under the guidance of a much older, and settled, Steve Rogers.

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Captain America's story has always been about time. He is a man out of time, and time is never on his side. Whichever way his story ends in Avengers 4, it should be in a way that is befitting the character -- a character who has always been a symbol of hope and inspiration. As Phase 3 of the MCU concludes, Steve should be allowed to stop running and rest, happily. He's more than earned it.