Chapter Text
Tony’s head was buzzing as the people before him explained the long, detailed process of his healing and amputation. His attention jumped from one point to another, incapable of focusing on one person for longer than five minutes. It all felt as if it was in a long distance from him, failing to react to something said to him immediately.
Years ago, when he first met Bucky Barnes, apart from the incial terror, anger, and violence of their encounters, he had admire the piece of work of his arm. Its agility, speed, how easily the fingers were communicated, its connections with the nerves, its ranger.
He had even joked to Pepper, during the aftermath of one of the battles, that he might even cut off his own arm to have such prototype. It never came to mind that he would actually be caught in such situation.
“The wound itself is completely healed, and any prosthetic of your wish can be added. Physical therapy for adapting will depend on the new arm.” explained Dr. Davis, mostly speaking to Pepper, sitting to his right, rather than to the amputee himself. “As for the burns, there is not much we can do about the scarring and marks, I apologize.
“The radiation caused third-degree burns on your shoulder, back, and one side of your face and torso. We used skin grafts from your own legs, or at least as much as we could. Your back and face were able to be repaired with this, but what you see now in a mirror is all that can be done. Nerve damage… “
Tony’s attention was stuck on Peter when she stopped talking about the skin damage.
He shouldn't be here
Tony had seen injuries of this gravness in various places, but he suddenly wished to cover Peter’s ears or kick him out of the room. The boy was curled up in the couch, also looking at Dr Davis. The brunette couldn't help but notice the heavy bags under the teenager’s eyes, slightly reddened, and the way he was ripping his nails apart with fidgety bites.
“Finally, it would be best for you to stay in the hospital at least two more nights.” concluded the doctor.
“I want to monitor your heart functions, but since you spent so long in a comma, most of the injuries you feel are not severe or life-threatening. I am worried about your left ear hearing. I can prescribe daily doses of medicine, specifically morphine-”
Tony’s gaze snapped back to Pepper, and she understood. “No morphine. Please.”
Both Stephen, who had been standing in front of Peter, and Dr. Davis regarded him skeptical but did not question their decision.
“Of course. It is very probable that your hearing will be better in the next few days, Mr. Stark. Even in a state of comma, you’re body was not truly resting, so it will be natural that you are tiered. That is all I have to say. Any questions?”
Everyone in the room turned to look at Tony, but he shook his head, wanting to be alone with his family again.
“Very well, then. I’ll leave you alone. Dennis, or Dr. Strange, if you prefer, will come to check on you this evening. Have a good day.”
The grey haired woman shook hands with both him and Pepper before leaving, nodding at a very absent Peter. Tony himself was staring at STrange, finding it odd how easily the doctor received orders.
The man nodded at Pepper and put a hand near his knee. “It's good to have you back, Tony.”
Thank you?
“Yeah. Thanks for everything too.”
Even if he was a little awkward between the two of them, Strange seemed to have an easier relationship with both Pepper and Peter, ruffling the teen’s hair as he closed the door.
Pepper smiled again. “He was very worried for you.”
He was hardly hear what she said, but when he tried to ask his wife to repeat herself, a nurse stepped in with a tray of food. She placed it with a half-smile on his lap, leaving. Tony looked down; some oatmeal, chicken sandwich, and a smoothie. His stomach longed for a cheeseburger but he didn't complain before shakily eating with his right hand.
After a few bites and many failed attempts to eat the food with only one hand, his stomach churned with disgust and he pushed the tyra aside.
“I see Morgan’s been around here.” he gulped. “What… ”
“She just knows her father took a longer nap than usual, and was very sick.”
“Oh.” he hadn't known what exactly to expect, but he hasn't failed to notice the stuffed pegasus, or the pinned drawings and pink scarf. “Where is she, again?”
“With Natasha in the Barton’s home.”
”Hmm… what?”
Last time he checked, Natasha Romanov was dead in the bottom of a cliff, faraway in the cold wastelands of Vormir. His hearing on the left ear, or at least the gaping hole of what used to be left ear, was not functioning correctly, but not as severe as to have him confusing names.
“Morgan is with Nat-”
“I heard you, Peeps.”
“Pepper, he doesn't know.”
Peter had approached the bed without him noticing, now sitting next to Pepper. The redhead’s eyes widened with realization and added to Tony’s confusion.
“Nat’s alive?” he asked.
The pair nodded. “After the whole battle, Mr. Rogers went back in time to return the stones, Mr. Stark. I’m not sure exactly what he did, thought. They mentioned something about extra pym particles, and this guy called Scott, you know, Ant-man-”
“Get to the point, Peter.” intervened Pepper when catching his bewildered expression.
“The point is that Mr. Rogers came back with Ms. Natasha, but her injuries from the fall paralysed her like in Mr. Rhodey's case.”
Tony could only nod and race in thought. He wondered what had happened to Bruce, if they had gotten together after all. He felt as though he had a million questions zooming in his mind louder than the buzzing on his ear.
“Tony?”
“What?”
Pepper sighed. “I asked if you were feeling alright.”
“Oh, sorry.” he muttered, rubbing his eyes with one hand and feeling the empty space on his left for the fifth time that day. “I’m tired.”
“That’s okay. Why don’t you take a nap? I’m sure tomorrow a lot of people are going to want to see you.”
He winced at that, scared of having people see him in such a vulnerable state. It still felt too early to even move. He tried to smile but his mouth twitched to a yawn. Pepper arranged his pillows while Peter gently lifted the tray and placed it on a cart by the door.
“You won’t go?”
“We’ll wait right here, darling.”
Pepper settles down on the couch again, scooping up the laptop that had fallen hours ago. Only Peter stays by his side, with a worried expression.
“Hello there, Underoos. Did you tinker in my lab while I was gone?”
The teenager give him a half-smile.
“I, erm, yeah. Kind of. I’ve also been living with Pepper, and Morgan, I mean, I’m not sure if that’s fine with you, now that you’re awake… “
It clicks to Tony that Peter was trying to ask whether he wanted him to stay. Pepper shot him a concerned glare from her spot in the couch as Peter keeps talking.
It's your turn now.
“Kid.”
He wished he could speak in a higher volume, but Peter’s attention snaps silent immediately.
“I’m… I’m sorry about May.”
Shit, bad idea.
Tear swell in the boy’s eyes but he wipes them hastily.
“It’s okay, Mr. Stark, I… I’ve come to terms with it.”
To Tony it was obvious that something was still bugging him badly.
“And as for you being here… I couldn't be happier. Pepper… she and I had already discussed that if one day you came back, we would take you in.”
Tears ran down the teen’s cheeks, and he hugged Tony tightly, but stepped back when he let out a strangled gasp from the rough motion.
“I’m so sorry, Mr. Stark-”
“It’s fine, kid, just a little warning next time.”
The brunette leaned for a hug with more precautions, and Tony shot another less terrified look at Pepper. Peter's tears soaked his shirt and retreated, letting him go. Tony could still see grief in the boy's face, and was sure they would have to talk later, but for now, he wanted to sleep..