Lost in the Mirror (Avengers Fan Fiction)

[ 13 ]

Delaney took a few steps away from the Finados alter, crossing her arms as she inspected it for anything that might need fixed.

"Is this a Day of the Dead alter?"

Delaney looked over to see Clint standing near her, examining the alter from a distance away.

"Finados, but same concept." She smiled softly. "It's good to see you, Barton."

"You too, kid." He gave her a nod and a half smile. He wanted to talk to her about everything she'd just learned about herself but he figured now wasn't a good time. "Why are S.H.I.E.L.D. agents up there?"

The few pictures that had been places on the alter already were of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents.

"So we can remember them. I put Fury and Coulson up there." Delaney smiled brightly at the two pictures.

"Who put Agent Montgomery up?" Clint stepped closer to look at a picture of a male agent.

"Agent Khanna." Delaney answered. Agents Montgomery and Khanna had been in a very low profile relationship.

Wanda silently passed Delaney and placed a picture of her family on the alter. She wore a solemn look, her eyes glossed over.

"Finados isn't about being sad, Wanda." Delaney smiled softly to her, placing her hand on Wanda's arm. "It's a time to be happy and cherish the memories we have with them."

"Thank you." Wanda's voice cracked. "This is beautiful."

Out of the corner of her eyes, Delaney could see Steve hesitantly standing off to the side of a forming crowd. A picture was in his hands.

"You're more than welcomed to put it on the alter, Captain." Delaney offered him. "There is plenty of room."

Steve nodded his head and glanced down at the picture.

"It seems like everyone I know is dead." He murmured gently as he moved towards the alter. The picture of Peggy Carter was placed next to Nick Fury's picture. "I gave a picture to Bucky to put up here."

"That's good!" Delaney exclaimed, looking around for the shy man. He was standing closer to the crowd, evidently not wanting to approach the alter while everyone was paying attention. "Come on, Sergeant Barnes!" She waved him over.

"It's just Bucky." He muttered under his breath as he started to trudge towards the overly happy woman. "I barely remember them."

A picture of the Howling Commandos was placed next to Peggy Carter's picture. As he moved away from the alter, Delaney gave him a soft, encouraging smile and reached out to rub his arm. Bucky froze at this simple action. Delaney pulled her hand away and turned to look at Agent Raycer. He had helped her purchase things for the alter and began to help her set it up, but he disappeared half way through the production.

"Eric? Why don't you put yours up here?" Delaney offered.

"Later."

"He's too cool for that, Laney." Kevin chuckled. He had already placed a picture of his grandparents on the alter.

"I got one, Valente." Sam stepped forward, looking up from the picture in his hands. "Lost my best friend a while back. He was a good guy."

The picture of his old partner, a man he only ever called Riley, was placed next to Agent Montgomery's photo.

"What's the meaning behind this whole ritual?" He asked Delaney as he stepped towards her and away from the alter.

"The alter allows us to guide the souls of the ones we've lost to this world for a day." She answered with a kind smile that warmed the room around her. "It gives us a day to remember, to mourn what we haven't, and to honor our loved ones."