The Story Of Your Life
The cathedral was packed for the ceremony.
Pew after pew was lined with people.
At the front of it all stood the pastor. He was talking about your life and your accomplishments, giving you honors and praise for all the good deeds and world-changing decisions.
The casket was next to his podium, decorated with flowers. The picture they used was the one Tony found in your letter. Lastly, the casket itself was an open one.
Your body lay inside, cheeks flushed with blushed color, subtle but evident eyeshadow decorating your closed lids, and the most perfect shade of pink to color your lips. Your hair was made presentable and as neat as humanly possible to make it seem as if you were merely sleeping.
Your clothes had been done too. Instead of the raggedy clothes you wore on your deathbed, you now had a white ensemble. You looked like an angel in the dress, and those who were close to your heart certainly thought so as well.
Tony, Pepper, Rhodey, Roberta, Happy, Hill, and the Avengers sat at the front. Those behind consisted of the disguised Coulson and Fury, Coulson's SHIELD team, Jane, Darcy, and Erik, the Parkers, Ned and his parents, and Harley - who had run away to attend the funeral - had left a note to his mom. Matt and Foggy and even the SHIELD scientists you met at the Triskelion were all there too.
Other SHIELD alumni and the rest of the civilians and press were all gathered outside where they could hear the events through the open doors and a connected speaker.
"(Y/n) Stark was truly special." The pastor was saying. "Her life was filled with adventure and bravery and determination. She was a helpful mind to some, but a friend to all. She fought with valiance and passion which certainly shone in her work and home life. To commemorate her story, she has been bestowed on this day the following."
He began to list your achievements.
"The Act of Heroism Award, for those who accomplish extraordinary feats of heroism by risking their lives for the benefit of others in a dire situation. The Secretary of Defense Medal for Valor, for those citizens who perform an act of heroism or sacrifice, with voluntary risk to their personal safety in the face of danger. The Meritorious Honor Award, in recognition of a special act or service or sustained outstanding performance."
Once it was done and the mentioned medals placed in your casket, he continued with the main speech.
"Whether they happen in a single instance of bravery or through continued service to others, acts of courage and self-sacrifice symbolize the American spirit, and are recognized every year by our nation's greatest heroes. (Y/n) Stark takes her place among them today, and will be remembered by generations to come for her selfless acts. She was an extraordinary young woman, and was taken from our world too soon. It is a grievous occasion for a parent to have to bury their child, and no such word for the loss of a child can ever become because the fate is just too unfair."
Tony closed his eyes as he held Pepper's hand again. Roberta rubbed his back soothingly, allowing him to rest his head on her shoulder.
He didn't know if he was supposed to go up and say something or not. After all, what could he possibly say that was worthy enough? The people outside probably knew you better than he did. He broke the promise he made to your mother - to Madeline - so many years ago, and he wouldn't ever be able to forget it.
"Now, to say a few words about (Y/n), I invite Maria Hill to come up." The pastor said.
Hill nodded and stood from the bench, the gentle thud of her shoes on the floor echoing in the large space. Silence crowned the room until she stopped behind the podium to address everyone.
"By now you know who she really was." She began. "(Y/n) worked at SHIELD for many years as one of our most valued and respected engineers. She created equipment for the best agents and completed projects not a lot of us could ever fathom. I remember the day the director found her. She was stubborn and afraid, but already determined and adamant about protecting the people she cared about. She would only join on the condition that the people she loved were safe and that she got a new life."
She moved on to explain your time at SHIELD.
"During the years I knew her, she made it clear she was perfect at her job. She was sarcastic, a workaholic, addicted to coffee, and she wasn't opposed to using her looks and wiles to get what she needed from certain people. She had an open heart even if she claimed it was locked tight. She helped anyone she could, she was happy doing it, and she had amazing ideas that came out of nowhere. She wouldn't sleep until it was done. She was a true Stark."
The people most personal to you chuckled in agreement. Even Tony managed a weak smile. You had certainly lived a life. The sleep schedule sounded concerning, though.
It was starting to feel like he had actually known you.
However, he was slightly miffed that you flirted to get what you wanted. He didn't like the idea of guys - or anyone in general - falling for you. There was a sense of protectiveness even now.
"She'll be missed." Hill said. "The people who loved her, the ones who talked to her, and the ones who knew her as Ellen Campbell, we'll all have a piece of her in us."
For some unknown reason, it was true. Even the ones who had only seen you once such as Jane, Erik, and Darcy felt the same odd sense of loss that the ones who knew you properly like the Parkers and Coulson's SHIELD team did. It seemed impossible that one singular person could have such a magnificent impact.
"(Y/n) had several families." Hill explained. "Her blood, her work, and her friends. But there's one in particular I think she'd like to remember. There was a family who lived next door to her in Queens. She loved them with everything she had."
Tony looked up in surprise at the same time Pepper, Happy, and the Rhodeses did. They all exchanged looks, unable to believe that for years you were only boroughs away from them the entire time. How did you stay hidden for so long?
They looked back at the podium as Hill continued.
"They told us she was the best guardian angel they had. But she was more than just that. She was their neighbor, their daughter, and their sister all at once. They didn't know if she was a runaway or a rich kid or a lost woman, they just... Cared for her. She was sent to watch over them and it turned out they did the same. They lost her as we all did but she won't be forgotten. She will always live in our hearts."
In the pews, Ned and MJ both looked to Peter. He was quietly sobbing into his aunt and uncle's embrace. As May also cried, Ned's moms did their best to comfort her with reassuring motions. Ben was heartbroken as he listened to the speech, being reminded of when he lost his brother and sister-in-law. They left behind their son and he never stopped caring for Peter as his own. He wanted to do that for you too, to be there when you had no one else. He loved you the same at least.
Tony couldn't fathom how you were so close to him all these years. You could have easily reunited by accident and yet all the odds seemed stacked against it. He was jealous of the family that supposedly looked out for you, but he also couldn't help but wonder if you talked to them about him.
"I'm sorry to her father." Hill finished, focusing on Tony specifically. "I wish things were different."
With that, she finished her speech. The pastor thanked her as she rejoined the bench. Shortly afterwards, people were allowed to stand and say their goodbyes in their own time. While Tony stepped back to compose himself, Hill took it as an opportunity to talk more privately.
"I meant it." She told him. "I wish it didn't end like this."
Tony kept his gaze ahead. "Fury was supposed to bring her back, not keep her away."
"It wasn't the plan. He was going to take her home until she asked not to. She was scared and confused and did what resulted in the least danger. I'm sure you would've done the same."
He didn't say anything, knowing she was right.
"They talked about you." Hill added, noticing the look. "About Badassium, the Avengers Initiative, Stark Industries. No matter how angry she was back then, she still loved you enough to ask."
By now she had guided him to the edge of the casket where your SHIELD uniform and copies of your medals were piled. She handed them to him in silence and Tony could feel his lip tremble the second the fabric touched his skin.
He had to take a breath.
He lifted the uniform up and rested his head against the material, closing his eyes.
Pepper noticed the two and walked over to help Tony. She kissed his cheek and rubbed his back soothingly. He held the uniform up for a moment longer before silently asking for Pepper to take it. She did so with a gentle hand and he smiled in thanks, turning to Hill again.
"Thank you for the speech." He said, placing a hand on her shoulder.
She also put on a smile. "Of course."
After that, it was finally his turn to say goodbye to you.
Every step closer to the casket felt like a step closer to the edge of the world. He could barely breathe. When he finally got to it he had to hold the sides so he wouldn't simply collapse.
You looked like you were sleeping.
His sleeping angel.
Why did it have to hurt so much?
He very slowly leaned down and pressed a chaste kiss to your forehead, lingering for just a moment because he knew that this was truly the last goodbye.
"I love you." He mumbled.
Then he reached for the pendant around his neck. It had done so much for him in the recent years. It was motivation to find you, it saved him from the scepter's compulsion, it reminded him of the life he missed, and it was simply his reminder of you.
"Your mom wanted you to have this." He said, undoing the clasp and holding it in his hand. "We're so proud of you, babygirl."
With that, he placed it around your neck and laid it out on your chest. He closed his eyes again, focusing on his breathing.
"Remember something good about me. If you can, that is." He looked at you again. "I'm sorry, (Y/n). But maybe you'll get to meet your mom now. She's just like you. Brave. Smart. Beautiful..." He trailed off, not knowing what else to say. "I'll see you both again. I promise."
The sound of a procession outside was what finally faltered his attention from you. He looked over his shoulder to see the officers outside getting the civilians to stand back as a few SHIELD agents stood in the clearing with their guns held to the sky.
Each one fired a shot out of respect and each time Tony flinched. He didn't know why.
-
The burial was even harder than the goodbye.
You were in the open grave now. You were out of his reach. Any hope that it might just be a bad dream was squandered.
People took turns again, this time to drop flowers on your casket as it rested in the earth. Some cried as they did, some muttered thanks, and some simply bowed their heads.
Tony was very surprised to see a little boy at the funeral. He was clinging to an older couple and seemed shattered by what was happening. Was it the family that Hill had mentioned? He'd never seen them before.
Then of course there was another young boy that showed up. This one, on the other hand, he knew. It was Harley.
Harley dropped a rose on your casket and, while he didn't cry, he was very clearly sad about it all.
Tony stared, amazed and bewildered at the same time. Did Harley know you too? Surely not. That seemed impossible. Where was his family? Why wasn't he in Tennessee?
Some distance away, watching it all play out under the shelter of a tree, stood the disguised Coulson and Fury. They didn't get too close for many reasons, the obvious one being that both of them were meant to be dead themselves.
"She didn't deserve this." Coulson was saying, solemn eyes watching the crowd thining.
Fury nodded once. "I know. She will be missed."
"It's more than that. She had this... This gift. One look at her smile and it stayed in your head, one conversation and it felt like you'd known her all your life, and for those who called themselves her friends and family... Her impact was monumental."
"Trust me." He said. "I'm aware of the mark Miss Stark could leave. We've all seen it."
Coulson sighed softly. He wouldn't just miss you, he would mourn you for weeks. Months, even. Maybe years. He would miss the hours you spent together and he would miss all your nicknames for him.
"I never thanked her for fixing up the Bus." He said.
Fury again nodded, this time showing some true emotion. "I never thanked her for the quinjet. SHIELD has lost a great asset."
For another minute, they stood in silence.
"Will you talk to them?" Fury then asked, nodding to the Avengers. "Let them know the truth?"
Coulson considered it, but shook his head. "Some things are better left buried. And we don't need Tony Stark finding out about TAHITI. A grieving parent is one of the more dangerous things in the world."
"At least we can agree on that." He said.
"What about the shooter? Will you find him?"
"I'm leaving that to Stark since we both know he won't relent. But in time, we will. He won't be alone forever. He needs his team."
Another silence.
They went back to watching everyone leave until only the people very close to you or Tony remained in the cemetery. A few graves down from you was his own. Sam, Steve, and Natasha were standing there talking amongst themselves.
When he was sure no one was watching, he reached inside his jacket to take out a mission file. Coulson watched, curious, as Fury offered it to him.
"What's this?" He asked.
"The traitor." Fury replied. "Find him."
Back at your now filled grave, Roberta, Rhodey, Happy, Pepper, and Tony stood in solemnity. Roberta held a handful of gladiolus flowers and tenderly placed them on the fresh dirt.
"I'll visit every month." She promised you. "Take care, little one."
"She'd like that." Tony said, attempting a smile.
She managed a much more secure smile and embraced him in another hug.
"Would you like to stay with us?" Pepper asked her. "It'll save you from all the traveling. At least for a few weeks."
Roberta nodded thankfully. "Of course, dear. I'd love that."
"I think you'll like it. The Tower is very accommodating."
"If Tony built it, I have no doubts."
Pepper was about to reply when another voice called out first.
"Ms. Potts?"
They all turned to see a man with shaded glasses and a cane walking over. Hill was with him. One look at the bag by his side told Pepper all she needed to know.
"That's me." She said, greeting the two halfway. "You must be Matt, yes?"
"That's me." He confirmed. "I'm very sorry for your loss. (Y/n) was a very dear friend."
"Thank you. She was."
Tony watched with suspicious eyes. He looked at Hill and thought back to what she said at the service about how you would flirt sometimes and how people loved you. Was this a boyfriend of yours?
His eyes were drawn to the cane the man now held in his hands. Was he blind?
"Who's this?" He asked, walking over.
As Pepper talked to Matt, she also thought the same, having forgotten to tell Tony about your lawyer situation in all the preparations.
"Sorry, Tony, this is Matt Murdock."
"Who-dock?" He questioned.
Matt merely smiled and offered a hand. "It's good to meet you, Mr. Stark. I'm here because of (Y/n)."
Tony hesitantly shook his head. "I think everyone is."
"Of course. My condolences."
"How did you know her?"
"I'm her lawyer. We sorted through her will."
"Her lawyer?" He frowned, confused and curious. "You're a lawyer?"
Matt nodded with a thin smile. "I know. Who would hire a blind lawyer, am I right?"
Hill, who had gotten to know him quite well now, lightly nudged his arm. "Don't joke. You accepted her request."
Tony looked to Pepper who offered an apologetic smile.
"Is it - Is it just us?" He asked.
"I'm going to need you, Ms. Potts, Mr. Hogan, Mr. Rhodes, and Mr and Mrs. Parker." Matt explained.
"Sorry, who?"
"Benjamin and May Parker."
"Yeah, I'll rephrase. Who?"
"They're here." Hill stated, motioning to a couple some distance away.