I did not expect my first story into this fandom to be such a depressing one but here it is. I'm not taking sides but both companies can go eff themselves.
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters you recognize. Especially not Spider-man as S*#& has made it perfectly clear. Also, probably riddled with mistakes. Thanks, Grammarly for trying. Crossposted to Fanfiction.net
Warnings: Maybe have tissues ready? I don't think I've ever written a tragedy before but this one definitely counts as one.
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"I'm glad you could stop by, Steve. It's not an Avengers party without Captain America." Sam teases as he shifts in his seat.
"Sam, I've told you-"
"I meant the original Captain America. Though you're retired, just your presence alone will be enough to boost our team morale. Even if you're an old man."
Something in the man's voice makes Steve pause, his drink halfway to his mouth. "Does it need a boost?" He ignores the old man quip seeing as he's heard it plenty of times. It's gotten as old as, well, himself.
Sam sighs, "I'm not sure what happened, but ever since last week, something feels off. Training's the same, the group is the same, we're as close as ever but,"
"But?"
"The kid came by last week to get some more input for the new costumes and it felt...wrong."
"Wrong how? Wrong as it wasn't him or there was something wrong with him?"
"Nah, it was definitely him but it felt like maybe he shouldn't be here? I can't even explain it but the whole team feels like an incomplete puzzle. There's a piece missing even though the damn puzzle is finished. Does that even make sense?"
Steve looks like he's trying to understand but it's obvious he doesn't. Before he's given a chance to speak, they're interrupted by the others.
"Hey, Cap, how's it going?" Hawkeye greets with a clap to the man's shoulder.
"Clint, it's great to see you,"
"Too bad you weren't here twenty minutes ago. He almost missed his shot." Bucky adds with a grin.
"I never miss. I didn't miss."
Steve sees them laughing with one another but Sam's right. There's a feeling he can't quite pinpoint swirling within them.
"You are upset the kid forgot your new suit. You should not let distractions get to you so easy." Wanda chimed in with a smile.
"I am not upset about some damn suit. I'm perfectly capable of making my own, thank you very much."
"You're supposed to look like a hero, not some emo ninja."
Clint grabs Sam in a chokehold, both grown men rolling around on the ground like children. Steve wants to laugh but he doesn't. It's almost like he's waiting for something; for someone to say something before joining them on the ground. He looks up at Wanda and Bucky, both with a sad smile on their faces. They're waiting too but for what, Steve doesn't know. He feels like he shouldn't be happy - like he shouldn't be having a good time with his old team. Not when...his mind goes blank.
