The Demigod From Asgard - A Steve Rogers x Reader Story

Chapter 90: Bigger Than The Whole Sky

"did you know?" Thor asks frowning as he points at Bruce.

"no, no I didn't know either," Bruce says a look of shock on his face.

"there's a small graveyard in the woods near where she grew up, I think she'd want to be there" Clint continues "we might be able to track them down using FRIDAY but they're all ex-KGB agents, it's going to be near impossible"

"we still need to try, Nat would want them there, and they'd want to be there," you say shaking your head gently.

Everyone nods in agreement "I'll um try and get FRIDAY to find them when I get back, what were their names?" Bruce says clearing his throat as he looked over at Clint.

"Yelena, Melina and Alexei," Clint says "I know Alexei was in prison for a while so that might help, and hopefully he can find the others"

"Okay, when should we go over to Ohio?" Steve asks "how long do you need to track the others down?" he adds looking over at Bruce.

Bruce shrugs letting out a long sigh "I don't know, it could take weeks and months, I might not ever find them" he says.

"Okay, shall we agree on in two weeks' time? That should hopefully be enough time for us to have at least an indication of whether we'll find them" you suggest "it won't help us if we drag it out, we need the closure" you say shaking your head gently, knowing far too well how healing a funeral can be.

"agreed, I'll send word to Fury and Maria" Clint nods.

Silence falls in the room once more, a heavy feeling on everyone's shoulders. You felt Steve tugging you closer to his side as he let out a long and shaky breath. Glancing up at him you silently ask if he was okay, he gives you a small nod as an answer before his smile grows slightly a reminiscent look on his face.

"I can remember when Nat figured out my feelings for you, she was giving me a lecture for trying to keep you out of a fight and then the mischievous look on her face when she realised why," Steve says with a small chuckle "I'm surprised she didn't try and meddle"

"oh she did, but you two were far too stubborn for it to work" Clint snorts shaking his head.

"she did say she'd have pushed you off a helicarrier sooner if she knew it would take a near-death experience" you remind him.

Everyone laughs gently "yeah I'll admit I'm glad she didn't, especially after she kicked Sitwell off that roof" Steve huffs.

"yeah she was always a tough nut, but always so soft around the kids, she was a completely different person when she visited the farm," Clint says with a small but warm smile.

"yeah JJ adored her, he always wanted to go visit" Steve smiles "she wasn't keen on diapers though" he adds making everyone laugh.

The dark cloud that had been hanging over everyone since they arrived was finally disappearing. Everyone's moods changing from solemn sadness into reminiscent with every story told about Nat. Clint had all of the best from their days before the Avengers, the stories from Budapest. By the time everyone had to go they all had smiles albeit small ones on their faces, and it felt like some healing had been achieved.

"We should probably talk to JJ now" Steve sighs as he shut the front door.

"yeah," you breathe out "god I hate this" you mutter shaking your head, head in your hands as you quickly sniffle back your tears "sorry, I'm being selfish you've already had to do this twice now, I can't imagine how hard it was" you apologise.

"Hey, hey no stop that, don't apologise you're not being selfish," Steve says quickly wrapping his arms around you, pulling you into his embrace, pressing a kiss to the top of your head "yeah I kinda know what to expect, and what to say but I can remember the first time, I felt physically sick and hated every moment of it and I tried to put it off for as long as possible so I know exactly how you're feeling and its completely valid"