𝚄𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛𝚌𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝙾𝚋𝚜𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚘𝚗 - 𝓑𝓾𝓬𝓴𝔂 𝓑𝓪𝓻𝓷𝓮𝓼 [1]

20. {Not the Hero}

As Steve pulls the car to a stop outside the venue, you take a deep breath, steeling yourself for what lies ahead. With a sigh, you reach for the door handle, but before you can open it, Steve is already by your side, offering a supportive arm.

"Need a hand?" he asks, his voice gentle yet filled with concern.

You nod gratefully, accepting his assistance as you maneuver yourself out of the car and onto solid ground. Leaning on your crutch, you take a moment to steady yourself, the weight of your injured leg making each step a challenge.

"Thanks, Steve," you say, offering him a small smile. "I appreciate the help."

Steve returns your smile, though his expression is somber. "Of course. We're in this together, remember?"

You nod, the weight of his words not lost on you. Despite the uncertainty surrounding SHIELD and the loss of Fury, you find solace in knowing that you're not alone. Steve has always been a steadfast ally, a friend you can count on in times of need.

As you both make your way towards the venue, Steve falls into step beside you, his presence a source of comfort amidst the chaos. You take a moment to reflect on the events of the past week, the tragedy and loss weighing heavily on your heart.

"I can't believe he's gone," you murmur, the words heavy with emotion. "Fury was..."

Steve nods in understanding, his expression sympathetic. "I know. He meant a lot to all of us."

You fall into a companionable silence as you continue on your journey, each lost in your own thoughts. The weight of grief hangs heavy in the air, a palpable reminder of the magnitude of the loss suffered by SHIELD and the world at large.

The days in the hospital have been a blur, filled with a haze of pain, uncertainty, and grief. Miraculously, you escaped the inferno at SHIELD HQ with relatively minor injuries—a broken rib or two and a badly injured leg that thankfully wasn't fractured, but still required the aid of a crutch to navigate. Despite the physical pain, it's the emotional toll that weighs heaviest on your mind.

During this time, SHIELD has been on standby, the aftermath of the explosion leaving the organization in disarray. With Fury's death and the loss of several other agents, including some you knew personally, the future of SHIELD hangs in the balance. The board is conducting a thorough investigation into what caused the explosion, leaving everyone in limbo, unsure of where they stand or what the future holds.

Your thoughts often drift to Bucky, knowing he's safe but also realizing that the two of you haven't spoken about the events at HQ or addressed the unresolved situation between you. He visited you in the hospital, his presence a comforting reassurance, but neither of you broached the subject of what happened or discussed where you stand with each other.

It's a conversation you know you need to have, but the timing never seems right. With the weight of grief and uncertainty pressing down on you both, it's easier to avoid the topic altogether, to focus on the immediate challenges at hand rather than confront the deeper complexities of your relationship. But as you prepare to attend Fury's funeral and honor the fallen agents, you know that the time for avoidance is over. You'll need to face the truth, whatever it may be, and find a way forward, together or apart.

As you enter the chapel, the somber atmosphere weighs heavy in the air, a clear sense of grief and loss hanging over the room like a shroud. Sam, Natasha, and Maria are already there, their expressions solemn as they prepare to pay their respects to Fury and the other fallen agents. You all silently slot yourselves into an aisle, the pews filled with other SHIELD agents and mourners, each lost in their own thoughts and emotions.