Love everlasting - Avengers fanfic

An unexpected friend

December 27 1991 New York City

A week ago you received a letter.. A letter you knew would come someday. You just never imagined it would happen so soon. Your beloved friend Howard was brutally murdered, along with his wife. Howard was going to a convention about immortalizing cells, he died on his way to fix you. He never gave up on you, just like he promised. So just for this one time, you decide to make your way back to New York, to say your last goodbye. You never imagined you'd ever step foot in this city again. But Howard was your friend. You have to do the right thing. Say goodbye to him properly. After everything he's done for you, it's the least you can do. As you walk down those streets everything comes back to you, all the memories. An unbearable pain. You've never felt so hopeless. Howard was the one person that knew about you.. the one person that saw past all the fake personas. He was your friend and now you'd lost him forever. It's like the person you once were didn't exist anymore. 

You stay in the back of the ceremony, there are many familiar faces in the crowd. That means a lot of people with questions you don't have the answers to yourself. So you remain hidden as you watch yet another person you love leave you. It's a beautiful ceremony, filled with honourable people saying their goodbyes. Long speeches, beautiful songs. And tons of roses and gifts. It was a celebration of his life and his legacy.

As everyone leaves you slowly move closer to the grave. Kneeling down before it. You lay down an old pair of sunglasses you had kept from him..  with a bouquet of flowers.

"I'm so sorry Howard.. you truly were one of the most extraordinary people I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't helped me that sunny day in the 40s.. And I always knew I would lose you someday.. I just never thought it would be so soon.. I wish I could have been a bigger part of your life. I want to do better.. I need to do better..But without you, I just can't see a reason to try. goodbye Howard stark" you whisper to yourself. Hoping he's somewhere out there watching over you.. like he always has. Suddenly a young man walks up behind you. You turn around to face him. Luckily for you, he didn't seem to be anyone you know. His eyes are red and swollen..

He offers you a cigarette. Which you politely decline. "Did you know him?" He asks softly as he sits down in front of the grave.

"He was my..." you stop yourself. "He was my mother's friend" you lie..

He nods understandingly.. "is she here?" He questions.

"No.. she's dead" you lie again. Seems you've gotten rather used to telling lies lately, luckily for you only people who knew you saw through them. Lying had become easier than running all the time, you had almost forgotten the person you once were. She got lost along the way.

"My condolences.." he says softly.

"How did you know him?" You ask as you sit down beside him,

"He's my... was my dad" the man smiles softly. You feel your heart skip a beat as you look closely at him. "I'm Tony" he introduces himself.

You hesitantly shake his hand. You can't find any words.. His son.

"What's your name?" He smirks.

"Ehm I'm.. I'm" you trail off.

"Is that a difficult question for you?" He grins.

"No sorry.. I'm ... I'm Emma" you smile awkwardly. As you look down at the ground.

"Are you sure that's your final answer" he teases. You feel your stomach tie into a knot.. he's so much like Howard. His eyes it's like looking into an old photo.

"Positive.. Emma Jones" you say. Guess that's the name you stick with for now.

"So how did our parents know each other?" He questions as he throws the cigarette on the ground.