ATHENA | peter parker

58 | part of the journey is the end

58 | part of the journey is the end

Athena kneeled down in front of the grave and placed the flowers down in the pot. She pulled the necklace from around her neck and placed it down in front of her.

"Natasha Romanoff." She smiled sadly as she looked at the name on the plaque. "My colleague, my best friend..." she paused "my sister."

A large tear dropped from her face as her voice shook "Letting go of your hand was one of the hardest choices I've ever had to make... just like losing you was one of the hardest things I've ever had to go through. But it's done and we can't change that. But we won... we won. You didn't die for no reason. If I could, I would go back in time and sacrifice myself for you but I know you wouldnt let that happen. Even when I tried to let it be me, you put up the biggest fight of your life. You saved me... you wanted me to live the rest of my life happy... but... how can I be happy if you're not with me? I'll try my best, just like you wanted me to, but... you're one of the only people who made me actually happy. I know you're still here with me... after all, Never apart, right?" She chuckled sadly as she opened up the locket and stared down at the photo of them "I'll never forget you, Natasha Romanoff. I promise to live the rest of my life for you... and only you. I'll never let you go, or the memories. But I know i need to let go of the pain of holding onto you and believing that you're not gone. But you are. I love you, Nat. I always will."

She closed the locket and held it tightly in her hand as tears streamed down her face. Peter came up behind her hand placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder and squeezed it. She placed her hand on top of his as she stood up and placed the necklace back on.

Three days ago, she made her own grave for Natasha. It was small and crafty, but it was meaningful. It wasn't a massive funeral mourning her death, but it was small, and sweet and painful. That's all Natasha ever wanted.

"Are you ready for another funeral?" He smiled lightly at her causing her to chuckle through the tears.

She nodded her head as Peter grabbed hold of her hand and slowly they walked over to the car.

—————

"Everybody wants a happy ending, right? But it doesn't always roll that way." She watched the video of Tony sadly as she sat beside Morgan on the couch. "Maybe this time. I'm hoping if you play this back, it's in celebration. I hope families are reunited, I hope we get it back. Something like a normal version of the planet has been restored. If there ever was such a thing. God, what a world. Universe, now. If you told me ten years ago that we weren't alone, let alone, you know, to this extent, I mean, I wouldn't have been surprised. But come on, you know? That epic forces of darkness and light have come into play. And, for better or for worse, that's the reality Morgan's gonna have to find a way to grow up in. So, I found the time and I recorded a little greeting... in the case of an untimely death... on my part. Not that, death in any time isn't untimely. This time travel thing that we're gonna try pull off tomorrow, it's— it's got me scratching my head about this. But, then again, that's the hero gig. Part of the journey is the end. What am I even tripping for? Everything's gonna work out exactly the way it's supposed to." Tony's eyes looked to Morgan as he said "I love you three thousand."

The camera switched off and Athena looked to Pepper who was in tears. They all stood up from the couch and began to walk outside, past everyone.

Athena linked her arm with Rhodeys as they walked down the jetty that everyone was standing on.

She stopped and stood beside Peter, grabbing hold of his head as she put her head on his shoulder. Everything was silent as they all stood, watching the reactor float in the water with the words 'proof that Tony Stark has a heart'.