A/N: November 11, 2018. The 100 year anniversary of the end of world war 1. Today we sit in remembrance of those who gave their lives to serve, as well as the survivors. In honour of those who have served, I decided to write a one-shot dedicated to all the Veterans from, not only WWI but also those who have served in any regard.
Seeing as I am not America, I'm Canadian, I'm not entirely sure how Americans celebrate Remembrance Day or Veterans Day as you call it. So, I apologize for any misgivings on my part.
At the end of the one-shot is a poem by Canadian Physician, Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae. It is titled In Flanders Fields. I do not own it, nor do I claim any ownership of it. I just added it for all of you to enjoy.
Thank you so much for reading and I hope you have a fantastic day. Don't forget to thank the Veterans in your life. They sacrificed so much to give you the life you have now. Lest we forget.
After 70 years, after the war ended, Steve Rogers was finally found. His body recovered from an icy bed, the ship he landed completely destroyed. Over half a century of searching, of mourning the loss of America's kindest hero, he was found. But not only was he found, but he was found alive.
Throughout the years that followed, Captain America became a household name once again. After the battle of New York, Steve Rogers took a place in SHIELD, vowing to devote his life to justice again, after all, that's what he signed up for in the first place.
Historians had a field day when he was recovered. And when November finally rolled around, a large debate began about whether or not his name should still be listed as one who lost a life during the war. Many veterans were against it, claiming that he was alive and well and didn't deserve to be listed. Others countered, saying that life had changed so exponentially since the war that his name should remain. After all, the man was a hero.
When his first Veterans Day, after unfreezing, rolled around, they decided that it was more work to change the plaque, so there it sat. The Avengers took him to see it. The six of them observing the festivities that surrounded where the plaques were held. As the six hero's roamed the area, Steve began to fall back from the group.
Several names caught his attention. Names of men he met on his escapade as a dancing monkey. Only one name brought tears to his eyes: James Buchanan (Bucky) Barnes. 1917-1945. Standing there alone, tears dancing their way down his face, Steve traced his fingers over the name. A million memories flooded his mind as he felt the indentations of Bucky's name. Never in a million years did Steve ever think about life without Bucky. Even after his fall, Steve knew there was something missing from his life. That something, of course, was his best friend.
Throughout the day Steve was asked to speak. Pictures were taken with him, and little kids came running up to him. He was a hero, both in past war and in the present day. Steve held it together for the team, not one of them finding the tears in his eyes. He had to stay strong, not only for the world around him but for himself. Only one person in the world had seen him cry and that person fell off of a train more than half a century ago.
Unbeknownst to Steve, Clint watched his every move. The tears he held back weren't lost on the archer and with his fatherly instincts engaged, Clint decided that it was time to comfort his newfound friend. Clint followed Steve back to the plaques, watching as Steve began to trace his hand over multiple names. Faded memories flitted through his eyes and in that moment Steve was lost to the world. As Steve's fingers traced his own name, his breath became shaky, jaw clenching as he tried to fight back his emotions.
Wrapping his arm around Steve's shoulders, Clint looked towards the war hero. A sympathetic smile and a slight squeeze were all that he had to offer, "Thank you for your service." He pulled Steve in for a hug and that's when Steve finally broke down.
Tears pouring from the large man as he held onto his friend for dear life. No words could be spoken at that moment and Steve knew that none were needed. Clint rubbed soothing circles into his friends back, calming Steve's breathing back to normal before finally loosening his grip.
Steve was reluctant to pull away at first, his face pointed downward at his shoes, "Thank you." His whispered, barely audible.
Clint just nodded, pulling Steve into a side hug as he himself looked at the plaques of the fallen soldiers. Hundreds of names scattered the wall of plaques the sounds of trumpets playing behind them. Soon enough it was time for a minute of silence to remember those who lost their lives fighting for their country. Steve's head hung down, tears falling freely to the ground, as Clint refused to let his friend be alone. This man who stood beside him, he wasn't just a war hero, he was a war survivor. That meant he lost friends, family and loved ones.
To this day Clint won't let Steve spend a Veterans Day alone. It got easier, once Steve and Bucky were reunited. Their first Veterans Day together was even more emotional than the first one with Steve.
Steve, Bucky, Sam and Clint all went down to look at the plaques. Each new name added in the year meant another tear to be shed for the four. Bucky was the first to reach out for a plaque. The same one that Steve traced a few years back: James Buchanan (Bucky) Barnes. Right after, Bucky reached out for Steve's. All the while Steve and Bucky's hands were intertwined with each other's, giving each other the support they needed at the moment.
Clint stood behind, giving the two survivors space as they sorted through their emotions. When it finally got too much for Bucky to bear, his head fell onto Steve's shoulder as tears streamed down his face. The two men embraced as they soon became surrounded by other veterans. Some of which they served with, where others served in different wars.
Soon enough, a crowd of veterans became engulfed in a group hug. Each man and woman shedding tears for those who lost their lives. When the trumpets finally rang out, the group separated and all focused on the wall of plaque, each of them focusing on a different name. And in that instant, Steve and Bucky didn't feel so alone in the world. Sam wrapped an arm around each soldier, giving them a tight squeeze of reassurance, as Clint watched the scene from afar.
In Flanders fields, the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
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