Stark released a statement to the public when they got back, saying that there had been an equipment malfunction that had resulted in the Captain's death while they were on a training mission overseas, and assuring the public that the Avengers and the United States were planning the biggest, most patriotic funeral that money could buy to honor the fallen hero.
Wanda had slipped a piece of paper to a hungry-eyed reporter on the edge of the crowd, ensuring that the real story was what hit headlines the following day, Tony Stark's face plastered across the front pages that announced Steve's untimely death.
She was never sure if the papers got back to him, as the man had locked himself away in his lab for the next two days as a "coping mechanism" while the funeral was planned, but the others saw the paper. And, more importantly, so did the American public.
Wanda simply kept her head down and helped Clint check if any of the local florists could get a hold of twelve dozen red, white, and blue flowers by the end of the week.
News of Steve Roger's death reached one Peggy Carter - apparently an old sweetheart of Steve's from the war - who reportedly died shortly after. The two were buried together in a rather touching ceremony, and Wanda had allowed herself to hold on to Clint's hand through the service as he offered her comfort that she pretended to need.
Thor had even returned from Asgard for the ceremony, but a moment of time alone together with her before he left ensured that the man remembered no reason to return to Earth - his memory of everyone he knew on this planet wiped completely from his mind.
Bucky had left after that as well, shipped off to get help with little hope or reason to come back.
Defeated, the Avengers had slunk back to the compound to hide from the world and drink away their sorrows.