Y/n Hybrid (fem) x Avengers

Chapter 39

Y/n

I took a deep breath as I watched everyone quieten down to listen to the speech I'd prepared. I held it in my hands anxiously, reading over it silently. Elder Phillip started the funeral.

"Thankyou all for gathering on this sad occasion," he started confidently, sadness hinted in his deep voice. "I am sure everyone is mourning for those we lost, but our leader has prepared a speech."

Phillip gestured to me and I nodded with a small smile that lasted only a fraction of a second. He saw this and stepped back, letting me step forward. I looked over the crowd for a second. I recognised almost all the faces. Kat, Aliana, Sylvia, Ben, Peter, Natasha, Tony, Wanda, Fury, Maria and many more. There were some I didn't recognise. Me and Steve had invited the Wakandans and I spotted King T'Challa in the crowd. His fellow Wakandans were stood respectfully, facing towards me and listening as everyone else was.

"As everybody probably knows, I've never done this before," I started, trying to sound confident and projecting my voice. "Every Hybrid here hasn't had the 'normal' life that a Hybrid would usually have. Whether one of the eldest or youngest, the course of life has been changed forever. As a team, we overcame the challenges together."

I looked into the eyes of all of the Hybrids as I spoke.

"Many traditions have changed in the past few weeks, but the ongoing tradition of burial hasn't changed. The one thing I am most glad for. Those we lost in battle were loved by many. Now their journey has ended, they will be remembered as heroines."

I felt my anxiety slide away slowly as I continued my speech.

"Of course, however, we aren't only in the presence of Hybrids today."

I met Peter's eyes. He was smiling encouragingly. Pulling my gaze away from him and onto every non-Hybrid, my gaze lingered on each for a second.

"Us Hybrids owe the Avengers an unpayable debt," I announced. "Their help has been received with such gratefulness, even if at times I didn't want it."

This last comment caused a small chuckle to be heard from the Avengers and I let a smile slip onto my face.

"If I could thank each Avenger individually right now, I would, but I don't have enough breath or time," I continued. "So I'll just thank a few now."

I glanced down at my paper again, before looking back up.

"Natasha," I started, looking straight at the red-head.

She met my gaze unfaltering, but I could see regret hinted in her gaze. I decided to scrap what was written and make it up.

"We might not have been the best of friends when we first met, but god am I glad I did meet you," I spoke as if I was talking to the assassin and the assassin alone. "You showed me that showing emotion isn't illegal. You showed me that I can be vulnerable and that I don't have to constantly fight. That might seem like something I wouldn't say to you, but I'm speaking truths."

The woman smiled and shifted her feet.

"Nick Fury," I said, looking at the tall man with the eyepatch.

His expression showed only pride.

"You forced me to never give up, even when I felt like it."

I spoke about Steve, adding in a small joke at the end.

"Even through all your 'God bless America's' and 'Language!'s' you proved to be one of the strongest warriors in the world - not just physically."

There was an outbreak of laughing at this. When it quietened down, I looked at Peter. His eyes widened and I smirked. He didn't want me to single him out, but he deserved to be recognised.

"Last but definitely not least at all, Peter," I spoke confidently now. "We met unexpectedly and meeting you was what started all this. In a time when I had nothing but revenge on my mind, you kept me safe and cared for me."

He couldn't help but smile.

"People like him don't get enough recognition, but today I'm giving him the recognition he deserves. He helped me through tough times, would make sure I was looking after myself and would patiently sit through my rants and brainstorming sessions."

Now I'd finished this bit, I knew that the main part of the funeral was about to happen.