When the Civil War ends, Natasha is the one to bring in Steve. She is one of the ones to round up all of the heroes-at-large. She is the one who sits on the bench beside Steve at his trial.
Natasha is the first one who sees him jerk backwards once, twice, three times, and then fall as they are walking down the stairs.
She catches Steve, his bulk almost crushing her- he is much heavier than he looks- and lowers him to the steps, eyes wide and shocked at the sight of crimson staining the blue and the star on his chest. Steve’s eyes are wide and staring as he gasps vainly for breath, back arching even as she cradles him to her and puts her hand on his cheek. Blood wells up in his mouth to spill over his chin. His features tense, and tears glisten in his blue, blue eyes.
Steve Rogers stiffens; his next breath is a death rattle (Natasha knows it because she’s heard too many of them to count), and between one heartbeat and the next, her best friend dies in her arms.
Natasha is not one for sentiment. She is not one to cry over anything, but tears drip down her cheeks nonetheless, and her breath hitches, and all she can see are Steve’s blue, blue eyes gazing up at her in apology hurt betrayal why did all of this happen, and she’s shaking and murmuring a mantra of no no no no no and tapping his cheek with numb fingers and oh God he can’t be dead he just can’t be and she just can’t find the strength to breathe, anymore.
It hurts.