A/N: I'm not sure why I wrote this, but I think I'm just going to go off and cry about my feels now. mTT^TTm
I do not own the Avengers, or their butts. Mmm. Butts.
It was a terrible day to be such a lovely day. A light breeze danced across the prim, green lawns, filling the air with the smell of freshly-cut grass. White clouds drifted lazily across the blue sky as the sun smiled gently on the small group of people gathered on the grounds of the graveyard.
They stood by the opened grave, their faces betraying nothing but a somber and composed demeanor. In the background, mourners dimly registered an orchestra playing a funeral march. The coffin slowly made its way to the team of heroes, stopping only to allow sobbing family and friends to have one last glimpse inside, to say their last goodbyes, or to touch his face one last time.
Nobody spoke. Nobody dared to breathe a word because they knew that if they parted their lips, feelings would come spilling out. And yet, when the large black box reached them, the Avengers could no longer stay composed. Natasha turned and buried her face in Clint's shoulder, trying to hide the tear that ran down her cheek. Removing his glasses, Bruce hung his head in lament as Fury placed a hand on the edge of the coffin. Even Tony looked moved.
Steve, who had been looking emotionally torn up until this point, spoke. "I… I know it may a bit late for this, sir, but I believe I have something of yours." He reached into the pocket of his leather jacket and pulled out a small stack of faded, vintage trading cards. The familiar face of America's most famous hero smiled at them and saluted from under clear plastic card protectors. The dried blood stains were still visible and Steve held the cards gingerly in his large hands. "I signed them... just like you asked. You'll probably be wanting them back." He choked down a sob, carefully sliding the cards under the dead man's cold hands. "May God bless you, son." Steve quietly saluted and then stepped away.
As they watched the coffin disappear into the earth, the Avengers wondered if they would ever be able to live up to the expectations that had been laid before them.
Slowly, everybody left. The setting sun cast the tombstone's shadow across the ground. The Avengers, too, left as the sky was glowed pink and orange above them. They all gave a final glance back to honor the loss of one of the greatest men that they had ever known.
PHIL COULSON
1962 - 2012
A TRUE HERO
