Helloooo. Just a short drabble today in celebration of cancelled school! :D

Disclaimer: I do not own the Avengers.

The Fallen Hero

It was never supposed to end this way.

No, no, no, Steve thinks, this can't happen.

A mantra, chanting in his head about the horrible truth that has befallen the Avengers.

One of their own is dead.

Steve watches his teammates, no – his friends, remain with stoic faces in front of the casket.

Natasha, oh beautiful, fierce Natasha, is the one that appears to be composing herself the best. Her red hair is clinging to her forehead because of the rain, but her green eyes look sullen.

Then Steve sees Clint, spiky haired, energetic Clint, with his head bowed down in a submission position, his strong calloused hands holding up his head.

Thor's there too, freshly back from Asgard, bearing otherworldly gifts to bestow upon the grave. Gold, jewels, and stardust. Steve thinks its befitting for an American hero.

And Bruce, Bruce sits in the middle, comforting God of Thunder in this time of great loss. In the rain, the soft tears on his face aren't noticeable, but Steve knows that they're there.

Tony's there too. Clever, boisterous and loud Tony, is now quiet.

Pepper is there, but she's sitting in the back, crying silently to herself and clutching a handkerchief in her hand.

They can't see him.

He's there but they can't see him. He should show himself and make his presence known, but he thinks that it's better to keep himself in the shadows of the trees.

Then the speeches come.

They go one by one.

Natasha keeps hers quick and clipped, and makes herself seem like she doesn't want to be there but Steve knows that she does. Because despite popular belief, she does care.

She says that he was smart, despite his personality. He didn't take anyone's shit, that's for sure.

Clint goes up, and his is filled with sentimental value and quite surprisingly, he breaks out crying on the podium and Natasha has to take him down before he collapses on stage.

Thor's next, and he's quiet, too. He highlights the fact that he was a good man at heart, a very good man. That he was loyal and brave and strong, and that he's sure he will receive a place in Valhalla, and will be forever known as one of the greatest warriors and heroes of the universe.

Pepper makes a speech, but it's brief because she can't speak for prolonged periods of time without crying. She says that like all the Avengers, a team that grew to become her family, that she loved him.

Bruce and Tony don't go up.

Steve doesn't blame them.

Then they lower the casket down into the ground, with the remaining Avengers standing over the grave, patiently waiting for the hole to be filled – much like their hearts.

The hole in Steve's heart will never be filled.

And then they've lowered the casket and everyone's gone. The only remains being the picture in front of the grave stone, the gifts and the monument dedicated to him in the entrance of the cemetery.

Steve steps out of the shadows, running his hands over the black marble gravestone.

It's all too much for him.

He finally breaks.

"God, why Tony? Why did you have to leave us..."

Tony is still quiet.

There we go! Quite a twist there eh? ;)

I wasn't sure whether to end it with Steve's dialogue at the end, or with the 'Tony is still quiet' thing. If you're willing to tell me your opinion about how I should end it please don't hesitate :)

Thank you!

Reviews for the 'Angst-Ridden Soul?'