EVERMORE ─ marvel ⁷

I. John Walker

Chapter One
Soroya

John's body was in the storage unit where we left it. The coroners office came and got him, cleaned him up, then shipped him to Virginia where his body will be buried in Arlington National cemetery. This is where men and women who died in the line of duty are buried. As a major in the army, John is being given the honor of being put to rest here. His brother Henry was buried here after he was killed by HYDRA, and in his will John asked to be buried next to him.

John is getting a military funeral with high ranking officers in attendance, as well as all the Avengers, our friends, our family, and even some high ranking government officials. The president is here, a man who takes a backseat in every aspect of his job, giving all power to his secretaries, one of which is here. Secretary Daniel Fai is standing right next to the president, his eyes on Jo, who is sitting in between Khari and Alex. They're at the end of the first row, with Livy and Zy next to them, tears running down their faces, their hands linked together. Stevie is next to them, Liam on his other side, trying to comfort Stevie as he cries. Sam and Jade are next, the agony in their faces at an extreme level, especially Sam. He's staring down at the ground, silent tears streaming down his face, his eyes devoid of emotion, like he's frozen, numb. He's sitting right next to me, with Bucky on my other side, in the last chair in the row, closest to the isle John's coffin is being carried down.

Bucky's hand is firm in mine as the coffin grows nearer, to the burial spot in the ground a few feet in front of us. I can't bring myself to look at the coffin, instead I keep my eyes glued to the tombstone, which reads:

JOHNATHON FREDRICK WALKER
Major, United States Army
Born: March 15th, 1986
Died: June 24th, 2046

His brother's tombstone next to his reads:

HENRY MICHAEL WALKER
Sergeant, United States Army
Born: February 19th, 1979
Died: August 8th, 2001

I wish I had the chance to meet Henry. Though John was jealous of him, resented him, I know how much he loved him, how much he looked up to him. John always wanted to be the hero Henry was, wanted to make his brother proud of him. I know he's achieved that.

John told me once that the country mourned his brother's death, that the funeral was packed, not a dry eye to be seen for yards. That's what John's funeral is like: so many people, so many reporters, every person's cheeks stained with tears. John wouldn't believe it if he saw it, would think they're here for someone else or that it's some joke. But it's not. The country, the Avengers, the military, they all know what he was, what he always will be: a hero.

The military officers set the coffin down, now gathering around it, holding an American flag over top of it. The president steps forward, bowing his head in respect towards the coffin, and begins his speech, which is protocol for a funeral like this.

"Major John Walker devoted his life to his country and the world. He served for more than twenty years, achieving several medals and honors, as well as the rank of Major. He was a man of unquestionable honor, integrity, and dedication. He was known for his courage in battle, his unwillingness to give up even when odds were stacked against him, and his loyalty to his colleagues and friends. He was driven by a need, a need to make the world a better place, a safer place for everyone, from all walks of life. Major Walker sacrificed his life so that others may live, so that those closest to him may live. Such a sacrifice gives him a title not easily earned, one that few men and women achieve: the title of hero. The people of America and the people of the world owe you their thanks. May you rest in peace, Major, and may your sacrifice never be forgotten."