The Demigod From Asgard - A Steve Rogers x Reader Story

Chapter 54: Honourable Discharge

Warnings: Angst! Canon Typical Violence! Language!

The morning of the funeral Steve didn't say a word. You watched as he fixed his tie in the mirror before buttoning up his black waistcoat, and slipping on his jacket. You slipped on your shoes before standing up from the bed and walking over to him. Taking his hand in yours and squeezing it reassuringly. He gave you a weak smile before you made your way out of the hotel room to go meet Sam in the lobby.

Once you got to the cathedral you saw some of Peggy's family going over to exchange condolences with them. Far too soon for Steve's liking, he got asked to get ready to carry the coffin in.

"I'll be right there for you," you tell him squeezing his hand before he left.

"How was he this morning?" Sam asked as you made your way inside and sat down at the front.

"Silent, I've never seen him like this before, I just hope I'm doing enough to help him" you sigh shaking your head.

"Just being here for him is enough, he'll let you know what he needs when he needs it," Sam says putting a reassuring hand on your shoulder.

Once everyone was seated inside the choir began singing and everyone stood and turned to look as Peggy's coffin was carried down the aisle. Your heart shattered as you saw Steve desperately trying to hold back the tears as he carried the coffin.

Once the coffin was placed at the front you watched as Steve took a deep breath before turning and sitting beside you. You took his hand squeezing it, stroking his hand with your thumb soothingly. He wiped away the stray tears that had fallen before giving you a weak but appreciative smile.

Throughout the service, Steve fiddled with your hands as he listened to the readings. Trying to keep his mind occupied to prevent the breakdown that threatened to crash over him. Once the fiddling stopped working, he pulled out the proceeding and began reading those over and over again.

Someone had just walked up to say a few words when he felt Sam nudge him and you put a hand on his knee. He looks over at you confused before looking up to see Sharon standing at the podium.

'Margaret Carter was known to most as a founder of SHIELD, but I just knew her as Aunt Peggy" Sharon started.

"She has a photograph in her office, Aunt Peggy standing next to JFK, as a kid that was pretty cool but it was a lot to live up to, which is why I never told anyone we were related," she says glancing down at the three of you.

Steve let out a small huff as he looked back down before glancing over at you, you had an unreadable expression on your face but Steve could tell you were as blindsided as him. He recalled the time when he told you that Kate wasn't actually a nurse, but a SHIELD agent and you'd reminded him that you always thought she was hiding something. Well, you definitely weren't wrong, although he was sure you didn't expect it to be this.

"I asked her once how she managed to master diplomacy and espionage in a time when no one wanted to see a woman to succeed at either. So she said compromise where you can, but where you can't, don't. Even if everyone is telling you that something wrong is something right. Even if the whole world is telling you to move it is your duty to plant yourself like a tree and look them in the eye and say no you move" Sharon continued.

Steve glanced over at you, the words hitting so close to home that he couldn't help but think of the last piece of advice Peggy gave him. Telling him to be selfish every once and a while. He had already firmly decided he was going to retire with you, even if it was the selfish option. However, if an opportunity ever came to change and fight the accords, he knew he would.