Chapter Text
Tony just stared at Peter as he rambled off about what happened as soon as he “woke up”. Not being able to take it anymore, he slowly walked towards him and pulled him in for a hug. For the first time in five years, Tony felt complete. He gripped onto the younger boy like his life depended on it. When hearing Peter say, “Well, this is nice.” Tony couldn’t help but silently agree. He had spent so many sleepless nights thinking of that day in space. He had moved on because he had to, but he never forgot. He never forgot Peter stumbling into his arms and telling him that he didn’t want to go. Just the thought of it make Tony tear up even more and he clutched onto the boy burying his face into his hair. Well, man now, because regardless of the “sleep” that Peter said he fell into, he did look like he aged.
It was to soon before they had to separate because of the battle going on around them. If Tony could have had it his way, he would never let go of the kid again. They just stood there and stared at each other for another second before they were pulled back into battle.
The next thing he knew he was facing down Thanos. The man, or whatever the hell he is, was to strong and all he could focus on was getting the glove away from him. He couldn’t let Peter disappear again. He couldn’t live through it a second time. But he was so tired, and he was pretty sure that he wouldn’t survive this. If it meant though, that those that had disappeared would have a second chance at life, then it would be worth it.
Grunting he finally got the stones away from Thanos and was about to slip it onto his own hand when webbing shot out. It wrapped around the glove and pulled it away from him. Thanos, just noticing that he didn’t have the stones any longer, lunged after it. It was quickly whipped away from him though and right into Peter’s hands.
Peter, looking shocked that he actually got it away from Tony, looked around a little lost like he wasn’t sure what to do with it. Thor saw what was going on and called out to Peter. Peter must have realized that he was no match for Thanos alone because he threw the glove to Thor. Who was then quick to stuff his hand into the glove before anyone could stop him. Tony silently watched as the glove formed to Thor’s hand and seemed to burn into his skin.
“It will kill you Thor!” Tony shouted out when he finally found his voice.
Thor have a little smile, full of pain and sadness, and said, “Friend, I no longer have anything to live for. I would rather fall taking down an army than live a half life. It was great going into battle with you one last time. I hope you find what you are looking for.”
Directly after saying this, he snapped his fingers. It took a second, but before long everything around them came to a stand still, and the ships and army started to turn to dust. Thor, himself, fell to the ground shaking. Tony ran to the fallen man and kneeled by his side taking his hand.
Thor was still alive but barely. He was slowly fading and staring past Tony’s shoulder into space. Just before he took his last breath, Tony could hear him mutter “Loki…”
Heartbroken, he tilted his head down until it rested on Thor’s chest. Thor’s very still chest. Noticing that little detail make his breath hitch. It should have been him. He had planned to sacrifice himself so everyone else could live but Thor beat him to it. He should be happy. Happy that he’s alive because this means he will be able to see Morgan grow up. Happy that he will finally be able to move on with his life and not be stuck in the past but…… He felt horrible and guilty that it was Thor that took his place. Tony knew that the man, like so many others, had struggled to move on after the death of his brother but it didn’t help matters. He just prayed that Thor was now reunited with Loki.
Tony was jerked out of his thoughts when a hand landed on his shoulder and squeezed. Looking up he met the eyes of Peter.
Suddenly very angry he wrenched away from the touch and stood.
“What did you do that for, huh?” He snapped at the boy. “Well?” He asked as the silence stretched between them.
Tony knew internally that Peter had saved his life but at the same time it was at the price of another.
For his part, Peter stood there in obvious shock open and closing his mouth like he didn’t know what to say. Finally, “I didn’t….I didn’t….I thought he would be fine.” He stuttered out. “He isn’t human, I thought he’d survive just fine.”
Peter heaves a deep breath and continues, “I couldn’t let anything happen to you. I couldn’t….I’m sorry.” He stumbled away and Tony just watches him.
He knew he was wrong. He knew that he should follow the boy and apologize but as soon as he took a step his path was blocked.
Pepper stood in front of him with the visor up on her suit smiling. “Tony! I’m so glad you’re okay.”
Throwing herself into his arms all he could do was catch her to steady them both. She was talking but all he could focus on was the slim figure in the distance walking away from him.
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Time seemed to pass quickly after that. There was a funeral for both Natasha and Thor with thousands showing up to pay respects for the two heros. Word had spread pretty fast that the dusted (as they were being called now) would not have returned and stayed without their efforts. It was especially hard for Tony during Thor’s funeral. It didn’t help that his eyes kept drifting to Peter who sat in the back. The boy was obviously upset and not dealing with it to well if the bags under his eyes and the downtrodden expression had anything to say about it. Tony knew that he had to fix the situation, but before he could make it to the boys side after the funeral, he had disappeared into the massive crowd. There was nothing Tony could do at the moment so he just turned back and greeted a few people trying to get his attention. He would have to hunt down Peter later and apologize.
As for the stones, Bruce said they had to be returned to their original timelines. So now, here he was with Bruce, Sam, Bucky and Steve preparing to use the time machine once again. It had been quickly decided that Steve would take the stones back to their correct timelines. The man seemed oddly eager to do so, so why not let him? Tony didn’t want to and no one else seemed very willing.
He was standing off to the side behind the control panels watching Bucky and Steve say goodbye. It would literally be only five seconds for Bucky but he seemed oddly anxious like he didn’t think Steve would be coming back. This didn’t seem to deter Steve any though.
The countdown started and Steve winked out of sight. Bucky let out a shuddered breath and seemed to steel himself as Bruce started slowly counting up.
In the moment Bruce reaches five, Steve is back. Tony has never seen the steel armed supersoldier so vulnerable as now. Bucky looked shocked and amazed as he fell to his knees and buried his head in this hands crying . Steve also fell to his knees in front of him and wrapped his arms around the hunched over soldier.
Tony couldn't hear what Steve said but he was able to make out Bucky.
“I thought you would stay… with her” Tony wasn’t sure who Bucky was talking about but Steve seemed to because he looked surprised.
“Of course I wouldn’t have. What in the world made you think that?”
“Well, you couldn’t stop talking about the fact that you seen her when you and Tony went back to the seventies. I thought you decided to take the stones back so you could be with her.”
“No Buck! No! I would never choose her over you. I did want to see her. I wanted to make sure she was okay which I didn’t have time to do the first time. This time, I was able to talk to her and explain why I couldn’t stay with her. I wanted her to move on and not focus on me anymore.”
“And why couldn’t you stay Steve?” Bucky asked as he looked up. There was so much hope in his eyes that Tony felt humbled by it.
“Because I love you, you punk. To the end of the line, remember?”
Bucky slowly smiled, lighting up his entire face, before he said, “I love you too!”
He then grabbed onto the back of Steve’s neck and pulled him in until they were kissing. Steve wrapped his arms more firmly around Bucky drawing him in even further.
At this point, Tony awkwardly turned away because he couldn’t watch them and not think about what he truly wanted. He wanted Peter and losing him five years ago just brought it home all the harder.
Before Thanos and the space catastrophe, Tony had started to develop feelings for the boy but he denied them. He denied them because he was scared and he was also a little put off by the age difference. Peter was amazing. He could literally have anyone he wanted so why would he want someone Tony’s age? So he put off approaching him, and then he “proposed” to Pepper when Peter turned down the chance to be an avenger. After that, well he thought that maybe this was how things were supposed to go. He did love pepper but it wasn’t even close to how he felt for Peter. Now Pete was back and Tony was lost on what to do. He was now married with a daughter.
Does he go back home and continue his sham of a marriage and only enjoy the fact that he gets to see his daughter everyday? Or does he take a chance and go after what he really wants?
“Come on guys. We get it. You are in love and in a time where you can freely express that, but seriously, I don’t want to see Bucky stick his tongue down your throat Steve. There is only so much a guy can take.” Sam said jokingly.
Turning back, Tony noticed that the two men had broken apart with Steve having a very pronounced blush and Bucky grinning like he’s the cat that got the canary. Tony was happy for them. He really was, but now he needed to go after what would make him happy.