Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Tony opened his eyes, he was cold, except for his right arm, it felt oddly… gone.

Oh, it was. 

Huh.

He sat up, where was he? The last thing he could remember was saving Peter, so where was he now

He could recall having to fight, even after he’d gotten what he’d wanted. He could still remember it; Thanos and his army had bombed the facility. they were fighting, and fighting, and he just wanted it to be over.

But then he saw him, a fifteen-year-old boy with way too much energy, he’d swung by something Tony couldn’t imagine, he was just so happy.

Peter had tried to explain what he’d experienced, but Tony wasn’t listening.

“Uh huh...” he had mumbled, shaking his head, “hold me.” Tony said, quietly as he held Peter by the shoulder and pulled him in for a hug. He was so glad to see his kid.

And then, they had to fight again. And he remembered getting hold of the gauntlet, then he dropped the iconic lines of “ i am ironman.”-- a personal favorite. And then- oh.

He was dead.

He didn’t feel dead, he could hear his heart beating, and his chest was heaving, so he was alive, right?

He jumped slightly as he heard a female voice say “ signs of life, allerting Mrs. Stark.”

“F.R.I.D.A.Y?’’ he said softly.

“Sir?” her robotic voice responded. “ Are you really there?”

“Yes– where am I?” Tony asked, it was dark, and he couldn’t see anything.

“Well, technically, you’re in your coffin.”

“ What?” 

"Well, Sir, you are- you were dead. But don’t worry, you’re not buried. Mrs. Stark is on her way now.’

“Pepper? Is she okay? And Morgan? How is Peter?” Tony rambled. He didn’t know how long he’d been.. Dead. He had to make sure his family was okay.

“Pepper has managed without you; she’s been struggling mentally but Morgans been keeping her going. As for Morgan, she misses her father, she was only five when you left. And I do not know what Peter you are talking about.”

“Oh, that’s good– I– what do you mean you don’t know what Peter I’m talking about? Peter Parker!” as relieved as he was to know his wife was doing at least fine, he didn’t feel like playing this game, and he wanted to know how his s- how Peter was.

“I have located 33 Peter Parkers in the U.S. want me to look for more?” F.R.I.D.A.Y said, which didn’t help him.

“Come on fri, Peter Benjamin Parker, from Queens?”

"I can’t find anyone by the name of Peter Benjamin Parker from Queens, New York. Would you like to try a different name?”

“What? No, i kno-”

Two doors opened, light entered wherever Tony was, he was blinded by it.

“F.R.I.D.A.Y? What's going on?” Pepper’s worried but firm voice echoed through the walls.

Tony groaned. “Could you close the door, Peps? You’re blinding me..”

Pepper gasped, Tony could see her silhouette as she covered her mouth.

"Tony?" she whispered, her voice shaking.

“Did I miss breakfast?” he joked, squinting his eyes.

“Oh, Tony!” She ran to him, he was on a bed, he found, and Pepper went up to the side of the bed and basically tackled Tony.

“Woah! You couldn’t’ve missed me that much, Pep.” he chuckled.

“I did Tony. I really did.” she sniffed, and Tony realised she was crying.

“Aw, it’s okay though, right? I’m back now. I always come back.” he said, rubbing her back with his one hand.

Pepper huffed a small laugh. “Yes, you do. If I didn't know that, you’d be six feet under.” she smiled, letting go of Tony just enough for her to look at him.

“Oh, so that’s why I have some sort of shack as a grave?” 

she smiled.

“Bingo.”

They sat there for a little while, Pepper just trying to soak in the fact that Tony was there. He was there and he was alive. And she couldn’t be happier.

                                                                                                                    ***

Turns out they were indeed in a little shack on the property, made to contain very cold temperatures and house Tony’s dead body. It somewhere by the trees but you could still see the house.

Pepper was helping Tony walk there by holding him under his left arm. When they walked up to the front door, Tony sighed as he looked at the place.

“You haven’t changed a thing.” he said as he looked at Pepper.

“Yes, well, it’s only been a year.” She opened the door and moved forward before Tony could comment on that.

“Come on, sit here. Morgan's with Happy; I’ll call him and ask him to bring her home.” she said, laying him softly on the couch. “Fri, call Happy and tell him it’s an emergency.” she said to the AI

“On it, boss.”

“I missed her birthday? I missed your birthday?” he couldn't see himself, but he was sure if he could he’d see that sick out-of-here look everyone said he had.

“Tony, you were dead.” she looked at him sadly.

“What about Peter? How’s he holding up?”

“Who?” she looked at him oddly.

“What do you mean “who”? Peter! Spider-Man?” 

“Spider-Man’s name is Peter? Tony, how could I have known that? You gave him the suit.”

“What? Pepper what are you-”

Pepper's Stark phone rang and she picked it up, looking at Tony worriedly.

“Happy?” she said into the phone.

“ What’s going on?” his voice sounded heavier than Tony remembered, Older.

“Happy, Tony is alive.” she stated heavily.

There was silence on the other end, save for a bit of cars hooting in the distance.

“Okay, we’re almost there. Morgan's asleep.”

‘Okay, thank you, Happy." She ended the call.

“How has Morgan been doing, then?” he asked, clearly something was wrong with Peter, but no one was giving him answers. He’d have to deal with it later.

“She’s.. She’s been doing good, she’s great in school and has a little group of friends” she smiled, probably thinking of Morgan playing with a few other kids her age.

“I’m really glad”

Pepper bit her cheek. “… She also has an imaginary friend, another one, but her therapist says that's just because she misses you.”

“Oh, okay. But isn’t that normal for kids her age?” he said, he couldn’t have missed that much. She couldn’t have grown that much.

“It is, but this one’s different from her other ones, this time she insists he exists. And that you knew him.” she sighed. “She insists he was her big brother, Petey, she calls him.”

Tony’s face pales, she remembers him? Could she give him answers? 

Tony couldn’t tell Pepper that he did know Petey, she’d think something was wrong and take him to some sort of hospital. That was the last thing he wanted, he just wanted to spend time with his family again.

“Oh?” he asked, voice cracking a little.

“Mhm” she confirmed. “We’re gonna have to get you another arm, you’re never gonna survive like this when you’re right handed.” she noted, sitting down next to him and kissing him on his forehead.

“You’re right, I can't even build one like this.” he groaned, looking over at the stub of his right arm.

“Do you want something to eat? Some tea?” Pepper asked after a short comfortable silence.

“A burger would be nice? Could you ask Happy to get some on the way?” Tony asked.

Pepper laughed. “Honey, you’ve been dead for a year, I think you need something better than a burger.”

Tony paused, pretending to think about it thoroughly. “Hmmm, nope, an American cheeseburger is all I need.”

“Fine, I’m sure Happy already knows, though, so in the meantime, what do you want?” she said, getting up. “I’m gonna make some tea.”

Tony gave a melodramatic sigh. “Fine, I'll have some tea.”

“Pardon?” Pepper said from the kitchen.

“I’ll have some tea please?” Tony smiled.

“That’s better.”

They sat there for a while, drinking tea and talking about how much Tony missed.

About ten minutes later, Happy burst into their house.

They both turned their heads, Happy started looking around. When he spotted Tony, he froze.

A small girl with sleepy brown eyes and brown bangs walked past Happy, her ponytail moving exactly how her mothers used to.

It broke Tony’s heart to see her so big, to have missed so many moments with her, to have been away while she grew.

Tony wonders when they cut her hair like that, she looked so much like her mother, but so much like Tony, too.

“Uncle ‘appy? I’m still tired, I was having a nice dream–” she opened her eyes, when she saw Tony she didn’t react how he thought she would. “Oh, I didn’t wake up.” she said calmly, then she walked and sat next to Tony, on the other side from Pepper.

“Daddy, when are you gonna come back? Every time I see you, you say you will. But you never do. I miss you.” she said, she wasn’t whiney or complaining. She spoke with pure sadness– something far too mature for a six-year-old.

Tony was a bit speechless, what does he say to a child who thinks he’s dead?

“Maguna, I’m right here. I’m right here baby.” he said, tears stinging in his eyes.

“If you’re here, why can’t I touch you?” she said, putting her hand on Tony’s heart, the still working, probably replaced, arc reactor. When her hand landed, she stared at it for a long while.

“Daddy..? I-is that really y-you?” she looked up at Tony, her eyes glistening with tears.

He nodded, then got firmly tackled by a crying six year old.

“I don’t want you to die, never, ever again. Okay?” she said, her voice shaking and her words muffled.

“I’ll try.”

Turns out Happy did get burgers, Tony found out by Happy awkwardly hugging him and saying he missed him, then breaking the tension Tony was sure only Happy felt by announcing he got Tony’s favorite burgers.

By the time Happy went home– after a long and tight hug for Tony– the three Starks were alone. Together. For the first time in a very long year.

They decided to just lay down in the dark together, absorbing each other's presence.

“Daddy?” Morgan asked, lying in between her parents in their bed.

“Mhm?” he responded, twirling Pepper's hair with his finger while Morgan was lying on his arm.

“What’s it like to be dead?” she asked, sounding kind of unsure of her question.

“Hm, that’s a good question. Well, I don't think it’s like anything. At all. I had no idea I was dead until I wasn't. I think you just finally get to rest.” he turned his head towards her. “Why'd You ask?”

“I’m scared of dying…”

“Well, that’s a good fear to have, it means you like living. So just promise me you’ll live your life as much as you like, however you like, and I’ll promise you you’ll be just fine after you die. Capisce?”

Tony couldn’t see her, but he knew she was smiling that smile he gave her. “Promise.” she said, with a small voice.

“Promise.”

“I think Mommy is asleep.” she whispered.

“Yeah? I think so too” 

“Mommy!” she whisper-shouted.

Tony could hear Peppers breath has evened out, and her not responding to Morgan just confirmed that she was sound asleep.

“How’s mommy been doing lately, hm?” he asked her, remembering F.R.I.D.A.Y’s comment about her from earlier.

“She’s forgotten about Petey…” she said, now sounding really sad. “You still remember him, right Daddy?”

Tony breathed “Yes. Yes, I remember him. Do you know why Mommy doesn’t remember him?” he asked.

“No.. but no one remembers him. Not even Happy.” she said, sounding gloomy.

“Okay, well, we’ll figure out, ok sweetie? Now I think it’s time for bed.” Tony said. 

He needed to get to the bottom of this, not just for him, but for Morgan and Peter too.

“Okay Daddy.” she said.

Tony closed his eyes, inhaling, trying to take all of this in. the entire world, as far as Tony knew, except for him and Morgan had forgotten who Peter Parker was, and he had no idea why.

“Daddy?” Tony heard Morgan whisper in the dark.

“Yes, hun?” he smiles.

“I love you three million…” and wow, isn’t that a big number? If only he were the one to teach her it.

“Woah… really?” he mused. “That’s a really big number, Mo.”

“One hundred percent.” she said, and he could hear the smile on her lips.

“Well then, I love you three million too.”

Chapter Text

Peter messed up.

He messed up so badly. How could he ever try to live life now?

Trick question.

He can’t.

Peter never grew up religious, not with his parents, uncle Ben, the Starks, or May. but he wished for a higher power, whether it was a god or the moon, to give him a sign, a reason.

A reason to stay, to live, to cherish his un-redoable mistakes and learn from them. 

But he didn’t want to. God, he was so lonely. so lonely, and empty, and sad, and miserable, he felt like a hollow statue ready to crumble. Being held up by something it doesn’t have anymore.

He was ready to kill himself, and he was fine with it. There was nothing holding him back anymore.

Not a father, or a mother. Not an uncle or an aunt. Not a bestfriend or a girlfriend. Not a mum or dad, or a sister. Not even fear. Not even regret.

It was his time to grow wings, his time to relieve himself of all this pain.

It was time to say goodbye to familiar strangers, and never burden them like he did in the past.

He was on his way to The Peter Pan Pastry & Donut shop, not practicing a speech, or a reminder. Just a smile and a wave, maybe even a mumble “goodbye.”

The bell rang as he opened the door and felt the warm atmosphere hit his skin.

“Hi, welcome. What can I get for you?” Mj’s painfully familiar voice said, not looking up as she spoke.

“Uh, a large hot chocolate, please.” he said.

She looked up and half smiled, “hey, you’re Peter Parker.”

Yup, but not the Peter Parker she went to Venice with, not the Peter Parker she figured out to be Spider-man, not even the Peter Parker that was lying to her, breaking a promise.

He was the Peter Parker who embarrassed himself by addressing himself as Peter Parker and not just Peter.

He breathed a laugh and smiled a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “That’s me”

“A hot chocolate? How old did you say you were again, Parker?” Mj jokes, which kind of threw Peter off guard– she only did that with people she liked.

A real smile took over his face. “I’m 17 in august, but you can never be too old for delicacy.”

“Right.” she deadpanned. “So what college are you planning on going to then, Parker?”

She was never this talkative with strangers, what’s going on? “Oh, uh. I can’t really go to any.” he said sheepishly. 

“Oh? Didn’t get into anything? What milk do you want?” she spoke, multitasking as she was making Peter’s hot chocolate.

“Uh- cow's milk. And no, not really. Couldn’t pay for anything that great anyway. Next year’s still an option, though.”

“‘Course.” she said as she poured milk into his hot chocolate.

“Your scar looks better, hey?” Peter observed. It was yet another reminder that she was safer with him gone.

“Yeah, jeez, I can’t even remember how I got the damn thing.” she said, which hurt. A lot.

Peter wondered if she was being all nice and friendly because she never knew him. Maybe he was the reason she was always so down. So it was better off that he will do what he’s planning on doing.

“Okay. Peter Parker. Your order’s ready, for a twelve year old.” she smirked.

“Thanks” he took the cup on the counter and smiled.

“No problem, Parker.”

“Now this is getting unfair, what’s your name?” he asked, like he didn’t know her favorite movie, song and T-shirt.

“Michelle Jones. But I hate that name, so call me Mj.”

“Right. Goodbye Mj.” 

And then he left. It was really unlucky that Ned wasn’t there, he couldn’t say goodbye to his best friend.

But alas, next stop was uncle Ben and aunt May.

He took the bus to the cemetery, which meant smelly old people and loud children.

“Hey uncle Ben.” he smiled. “I know you would hate what I’m about to do, but I’m really excited to see you.”

He got no response.

“I feel like you just said some sort of inspirational crap about not killing myself. But you’ve got to hear me out here, I can't live like this. I can’t eat, I can’t sleep. I can’t pay rent this month so I’m basically homeless. And I see people I used to know all the time. But they pass me like I’m some random person on the street.”

He got no response.

He sighed. “The only thing I’ve got now is being Spider-Man. And even that sucks because it’s getting harder and harder for me to pull my punches. I can’t keep doing this Ben, I can't keep living.”

He got no response.

“I wish you were here. You would’ve known just how to fix all this… Or you would’ve forgotten me too.” he inhaled a shaky breath. “Okay, well. Thanks for the talk.”

He got no response.

He moved a bit to be in front of aunt May's grave. 

“Hey aunt May, how are you?” he said, putting his hands in his pockets.

He got no response.

“I’m so sorry I got you here. You’re not even blood related to me and I still got your blood on my hands.”

He got no response.

“Listen, May. I know you would’ve screamed at me if you knew what I’m doing, but I can't keep going. Not without you. Not without everyone.” he looked up at the sky. “If you could just give me a sign, I wouldn't do anything.”  he looked back down at May’s grave. 

He got no response. Or maybe he did, because a man walked up next to him.

His spider tingles weren’t acting up, so he couldn’t be dangerous. Peter looked at him, Happy?

“How’d you know her?” Happy asked, looking down at May’s grave. 

“Through Spider-Man… You..?” he asked, because there wasn’t any Peter Parker to introduce them.

“Same.” Peter looked at him like he was a chicken walking around without its head. What?  That cannot be possible.

Peter took a breath. This was his sign. This was May, maybe even Ben, telling him to not do this. For fucks sake, he genuinely wanted to.

“Hey, uhm. I, I don’t really know how well you knew her,” lie. He knew he loved her. “Or how willing you’d be to help me– or just, get me some help. But- she was actually my aunt. And when she left..” he looked at his feet. “It kind of left me without anyone.”

Happy looked at him with concern. “Kid, d’you have a place to stay?”

“Not… anymore..?”

Happy sighed, “right, well, you can stay with me until you get a proper place, but i’ve just moved to a new place, so it might be a weird fit.” he said.

“Oh, well you don’t have to-”

“Nope, if it’s what May would’ve wanted, it’s what I’m gonna do.” he stated, leaving no room for arguments. “And I’m Happy, Happy Hogan. Just fyi.” 

Peter looked at Happy, knowing this meant that he would be held back from doing this. That he was going to have to try a little bit harder for a lot more time.

Peter Parker. And thank you. Thank you so much.”

Happy told Peter to come with him, they got in his car and Happy gave a short lecture about how he should know better than to get into a car with a stranger.

A stranger.

But he moved on quickly as he drove to a nice apartment building in brooklyn. Kinda similar to the last one.

The last one, where May died.

Where it was his fault.

They got in and Happy showed Peter to a “small” guest room the size of his last apartment. So maybe it was small.

“Don’t you have any things you want to bring here?” Happy asked.

“Uh, yeah. But I’ll go get them tomorrow.” or tonight, Peter thinks. He’ll swing by after patrolling the city and come back without making a sound.

“Okay. I’ll get you some extra blankets. pizza for dinner. You can eat in your room if you want.” 

“Okay. Thanks again, Mr. Hogan, really.” 

Happy nodded then left the room. Peter closed the door behind him and flopped on his new bed.

He sighed, living alone was painful. He’d have nightmares, the walls would shrink in, and the only person he’d ever talk to as Peter Parker was his grumpy landlord, telling him how behind he was on rent.

But Peter knew this was gonna be so much worse.

Happy didn’t know him. He didn’ know that Peter recognised every little detail about him. And that everytime he grunted about the news, or commented about how the cabs moved slower everyday, Peter would be in pain.

Because every little reminder that Peter used to know him was a reminder of what he lost. 

It happened all the time, really. Everywhere he went. When he went to delmars, he had to remind whoever was at the front to make his sandwich just how he liked it. They used to know.

He’d pass his old classmate, Betty Brandt, walking on the streets. She still had that purposeful look to her, like she was walking to her destiny. Even if she was just going to the drug store. Just like in school.

And even Mj. he’d only seen her twice in the three months since the spell. But both times felt like a punch to the gut.

The first time, it was just normal stuff. Or as normal as Peter Parker can get.

The bunch of her hair on her right side of her face was always more than the left, the way she kept her eyebrows high, to make herself look more intimidating, her little barley-smiles, and that damn necklace. The necklace that she still wore, even though she doesn’t know where it came from, nor why it’s broken.

And then she tucked that smaller piece of hair back, and that’s when Peter started to think a certain way.

Peter remembered that scar. The way it bled, the way his stomach twisted at the sight of it, and the way it was his fault.

Mj was hurt because of Peter, because that’s what Peter does. He gets the people he loves killed. And honestly, he was lucky Mj and Ned were just hurt. But that didn’t make it any better.

Peter probably would’ve gone with his plan and told Mj everything, but seeing that scare made him realize how much he’d be doing her a favor by letting her go.

The second time was almost better, and almost worse.

It was hard, having Mj remember his name but barely his face, never the countless memories they share together.

Then there was the teasing. Her nonchalant smirk– which for Mj happens to be very chalant. 

Her effort in making conversation with Peter made Peter think– had that much changed? Has his absence made that much of a positive effect on Mj that she actually talks to strangers?

Well then, case closed. Peter was right. It was all for the better.

And it would have been for the better if he had killed himself,  but Happy just had to find him.

A quick knock on the door made Peter sit up and look at the door.

“Come in!” he said, and Happy came in with two thick red blankets.

He put them down on a little chair in the corner of the room, then looked up at Peter and stepped back a little.

“Woah, uh- are you- are you crying?” 

Peter’s eyes widen as he brings up a hand to wipe his eyes– which were indeed wet.

“Uh, jeez, I didn't even notice.” he mumbled. “Thank you, Mr. Hogan, I, I think I’m just gonna take a nap..”

“Oh, ok. Yeah- yeah I’ll just- uh, bye.” and Happy left, closing the door behind him.

Peter inhaled and exhaled deeply, closing his eyes for a short moment.

He got up and took one of the blankets, he put it under the heavy white blanket that was already on the bed, then buried himself under both of them.  

He eventually fell asleep, probably crying. He couldn’t really tell anymore.

                                                                                                     ****

after whom knows how long, he heard something that made his whole body jump. His enhanced hearing picking up on something that can’t be real.

Tony Stark's heartbeat. 

The same heartbeat that would help Peter sleep at night, the same heartbeat that he heard stop at the final battle with Thanos, the same heartbeat he thought he heard months ago, only for it to be an illusion. Set by Quentin Beck.   

Quentin Beck? Peter stood up, standing on the soft bed. Was he back? Was he here again to mess with Peter more than he already has?

It was getting hard to breathe, each breath becoming shorter and shallower. His chest heaving and tight

There was a knock on the door, and Happy’s voice came from the other side of the door.

“Kid? Uh, someone’s here to see you.”

Peter’s feet were moving before he could even think. He grabbed the door handle and opened it, hoping he didn’t cause any damage. But he didn’t have time to check.

He ran to the front door, but before he stepped foot in the living room, he saw him.

How did Beck manage to do all of this? 

The illusion of Tony looked exactly like he did when he died. Same grey hair, same rough smile, same slightly more fatherly look in his eyes.

And that’s when Peter broke down. He fell to his knees, eyes blurry with tears, shaking he’d been electrocuted.

He tried to take a breath, but he ended up giving a loud and dry sob. His head was screaming at him, but his senses were failing him. Because none of them were warning him about Beck.

Then his eyes went so blurry it went dark. And he could feel someone holding him.

No no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no!     Was all Peter could think.

Beck was probably taking him to some sort of lair. How could he let in so easily?

Chapter Text

Tony managed to get DUM-E and a few other of his old robots to start working again, with the help of Pepper.

so with Morgan and a bunch of old machines doing what Tony instructed, they managed to make a prototype for a robotic arm.

 “Good job Maguna. You’re gonna be ten times your old man by the time you're fifteen.” Tony said, which made Morgan giggle.

“Thanks daddy, that’s really kind.” she blushed.

“It's honest. Now put ‘em here!” he said, putting his hand– his real hand up for Morgan to high five.

“ Mr. Stark, you have a call coming from The forehead of security, would you like to answer?” F.R.I.D.A.Y.  stated.

Tony looked at Morgan with a smirk, she herself had her eyebrows raised and her lips pursed in that sneaky excited look every little child had.

“Watch this.” Tony said to her. “Yup, Fri, answer Mr. forehead.”

“ Tony, you will not believe the-”

“Knock knock.” Tony made his voice all funny, which made Morgan giggle. Exactly his goal.

“ I- … who’s there?” Happy sighed.

“Happy hogan.”

“Happy Hogan wh-”

“DO YOU HAVE YOUR BADGE?!” Tony shrieked, and Morgan roared with laughter, her childish cackles being the light of Tony’s day.

“ Yeah yeah, have a laugh, won’t you? Listen, Tony. did you know May had a nephew?” Happy said, whispering a little, like someone could be listening.

Tony froze. May? May parker? Whose nephew happened to be Peter Parker? 

“Uh, no. Not that I can think of, why? ” Tony demands.

“ I met him at May’s grave. He said he didn’t have a place to stay after she… anyway– I told him he could stay with me, so he’s currently asleep in the guest room. ”

“Wait– Happy, May’s dead?” Tony gasped, because May was the last living relative Peter had– he must be miserable.

Not to mention the fact that Happy just confirmed he was homeless.

“ Oh… you didn’t- didn’t you know? ” Happy’s voice cracked a little as he spoke.

Tony’s heart dropped, he’d forgotten that Happy dated her. Dear god, Happy loved her.

“Oh shit-” Morgan glared at him. “Happy, I’m so sorry-”

“ Stop. I’ve already done all that, I know you’re sorry. let's just.. Can we just…”

Tony sighed. “Yeah, ok. Right, what about her nephew?” 

“ Well, like I said, he’s here with me and he’s taking a nap in the guest room– but before that I think he was crying. And- listen, i can handle a few pickups every morning and taking Mo out for playdates– but i have no idea how to comfort a teenager? And since you’re a father i just needed some advice?” Happy rambled, but Tony stopped listening after he said that Peter was crying.

“Be there in five.” Tony said after he could Hear Happy stop talking. He hung up the phone

“Daddy? Who’s May? Who’s her nep’ew’” Morgan said, looking down at a piece of paper and designing the next robotic arm.

Tony took a breath, “it’s Peter. May was auntie nurse.” he stated. Morgan looked up, her eyes wide and her mouth agape.

“Are you going to get him?” she asked.

“Uh-” he looked over at his old iron-man suits, technically, he was retired, and no one was supposed to know he was alive. “I am, I just don’t know how without mommy finding out.”

“You could use your invisible suit?” she said, but the moment she realized what she said, her face dropped.

Tony looked at her slowly. “Morgan H. Stark, how do you know about that suit?” Tony had made an invisible suit, inspired by S.H.E.I.L.D’s ship, the suit could camouflage with its surroundings. But Tony never talked about it– especially not to his five-year-old child.

 A cheeky smile plastered itself onto Morgan's sweet little face.

“I maybe might have, uhm… been, in the garage, not searching for it, definitely. And, uhm. I saw the suit, and it looked different from the others, and, uhm, i asked fri what it did, and she told me about it… sooo, yeah!” her mischief disguised as cute rambling, she really hadn’t changed a bit.

Tony chuckled. “Yup. you’re just like your daddy” 

“Doesn’t really sound like my fault.” her childish voice almost made you forget how incredibly mature she was, and how she used that maturity on cheekiness. 

Which, admittedly, she definitely got from Tony.

“Alright, you little rascal,” Morgan  put on a mock-hurt look. “Although you definitely shouldn’t know about that suit, I think I should definitely use that.”

Tony stood up, walking out of the lab– with Morgan by his side– and towards the oversized garage.

“Fri, bring out Mark 203, would you?” he called out.

“203?” Morgan gaped.

What? Tony could get bored.

Said mark 203 flew out and stood right before Tony and Morgan, it was mostly a steely grey, a little bit of green, but mainly looked like his other older suits.

“Okay,” he started, putting his hands on his hips, “here’s the plan. I get in the suit, you play your dolls in that corner over there.” he pointed at a corner with a camera directly facing it. Pepper was at a meeting all the way in New York, in the SI tower. Technically, Tony was supposed to be watching Morgan, but if he got F.R.I.D.A.Y to watch her while he quickly went to fetch Peter, everything would be fine.

“And you stay there until I come back, just wait five minutes and I’ll be back with Petey, deal?”

“Deal!” Morgan beamed.

“Great.” Tony said, stepping into mark 203, “see you later.”

“Bye!”

Tony ran out the garage, then shot himself in the air and zoomed away.

He wished (or maybe just thought) he would feel a little bit rusty, seeing as it had been a whole year, but it felt exactly like it did when he was fighting Thanos for the second and final time.

Flying to the new apartment F.R.I.D.A.Y. located for Tony took about three minutes, it probably would’ve taken a bit less, but Tony made sure to pointedly avoid SI tower.

He landed with a loud gush in the parking lot of Happy’s new apartment building.

He ran to the entrance, then was stopped by a grumpy looking security guard.

“Who are you here for?” he asked with a deep and overly cliche voice.

“Happy Hogan, floor 4, apartment 8.” he said, panting as he spoke.

The man outrageously decided that Tony had to wait till Happy answered the ring and say that he could be let in.

Which only really took about thirty seconds but it still wasn't fast enough.

Tony felt adrenaline starting to boost him, he was nervous, because he had been gone for a whole year. But he also missed Peter so much. He had been gone for five years. And Tony really couldn’t wait another second to see him.

He frantically knocked on Happy’s door, which opened immediately. 

Tony probably would have pushed Happy aside and gone through every door in the apartment, but he froze.

Why? He didn’t quite know. 

He didn’t want to freeze, he wanted to run to Peter and hug him and tell him everything was fine and he’d take him back to the lake house and they’d get Pepper to remember him and they’d all live in secret and peace, but he could only stand there and nod a little as Happy said something about going to get him.

Tony could hear a door opening, footsteps, and then-

dear fucking god.

Peter looked like a walking corpse, his skin was pale and his hair was way past due a haircut, his eyes had dark circles around them- and were bloodshot red.

And he was so skinny, had he even eaten a slice of pizza since Tony died?

Tony’s heart broke into a million pieces at the sight.

“Kid?” he breathed, but Peter looked as if he couldn’t hear a bomb if it exploded in the next room.

Tony found that he could take a few steps towards Peter, but maybe that was a mistake, because Peter broke down. 

Tony shrieked as Peter fell to his knees and started sobbing.

"Kid? Oh fuck. It’s fine! You’re o- Peter?” 

And then he fainted, brilliant.

Tony tried to catch him, but his robotic arm could only do so much.

                                                                     *  *  *

Tony took him to the medical room at SI, what other choice did he have? Pepper could wait for a few explanations- Peter looked like death, so really, the choice was obvious.

Happy drived, let them in, and instructed Tony to the medical room– like Tony was the one who was forgetting something here.

Running through the corridors, they unfortunately passed a very suspicious redhead.

“I- Tony? Happy? Who’s watching Morgan?!” she said as she turned right around to start walking aside Tony.

“Don’t worry dear, I’ve got it all covered.” Tony said, adjusting his grip on Peter- who was way too fucking light for Tony’s liking.

“Do you? Do you honestly? And who is that child- did you two kidnap a child?!”

“No, Pepper, we didn’t kidnap him. And for the record, yes, I’ve got it covered. She’s in a very safe spot where Fri is watching her– and let’s be honest she’s more capable of watching her than I am.” Tony said, turning a corner.

“Well obviously.” she snapped “and who is this then?” she demanded.

“Well, I’m glad you asked, dear. This is Morgan's beloved Petey.” 

Pepper stopped in her tracks for a second, probably preparing her “you’re absolutely insane!” speech, but then thought better– with everything that she’s been through? No one under the sun is insane.

“Wh- i don’t- he’s real?!” she blurted.

“Yes he is real. He’s been real. He’s been real since Germany, since he started working in my lab- he’s been real and you all knew him and now you don’t- but that’s a problem for another day because he’s unconscious and I don’t know why.” Tony declared, finally walking into the med-bay.

Pepper sighed and called out to a doctor to take Peter and check him up.

“Come here.” she said, sitting down on a waiting bench.

Tony sat next to her, then Happy sat next to him.

After glaring at Happy, Tony spoke. “Can I go in with him?”

“No.” Pepper deadpanned.

“ Why?” Tony whined.

“Because- Happy, dear, you can go if you want?” Pepper said, when she saw how uncomfortable Happy looked.

“Oh- yeah, ok. Bye.” And he was gone

“because, firstly- he obviously needs to rest. And Secondly, You need to tell me what the hell is going on here!”

Tony gave a melodramatic sigh. “OK, firstly, he could rest with me in his room, I can be quiet. Secondly, I just came back from the dead, I don't know either! But I do know that you don’t know Peter, which is weirder than it sounds to you because you used to. And his aunts just died, he looks like he’s dead, and I just need to talk to him because I've barely been able to for six years!”

A nurse came over, asked if they were related to Peter or knew his blood type.

Tony waved him off with a “type B, but he’s enhanced so add in that special stuff”

He walked away and Pepper turned to Tony.

“I’ve never known that kid, Tones.” she frowned.

“Yes you did! He even used to come over some nights before the blip!” he insisted desperately.

She sighed, “I really don’t know how I'd forget about that, but I’m gonna trust you on this, okay?” she reached out to hold his hands and squeezed them.

“Okay, thank you.” Tony said, emotionally exhausted.

They waited there for a long while. Or maybe it only felt long because Tony was feeling more and more anxious each time the clock on the wall clicked.

But eventually, a tall doctor walked up to them.

“Mrs. Stark,” she greeted, then turned to Tony and paled, “M-Mr. Stark-?”

“Don’t ask,” both Starks said.

“Oh, uh, okay?” she coughed. “Uhm, this kid, Peter, is mostly fine. He has a few bruises and improperly healed bones, and he’s completely sleep deprived. I’d suspect his faint was caused by a large amount of distress. But we’ve given him some medicine, blood, and put in an NG-tube, he should be awake and well within 24 hours.” she listed, still looking at Tony a bit weirdly.

“Can we go in his room?” Tony asked.

“Uh, sure.” she said, walking away, presumably towards Peter’s room.

Tony stood up, and Pepper got up with him.

Seeing as this was only an emergency medical space, there weren’t many rooms, so Tony and Pepper could’ve just gone to the first room by themselves and found Peter lying there.

They walked into the room and immediately felt cold.

Tony sat down next to Peter and shook his head. “No, could we get this place warmer? He doesn’t like the cold.”

The doctor nodded and left the room.

Pepper sat down on the other side of the bed and looked at Peter.

 “Tell me about him.” she asked softly,  fixing a bit of stray hair on Peter’s forehead.

“Well, uh, he’s Spider-Man, for starters.”

Pepper looked up at Tony, her eyebrows raised in silent surprise.

“Uh huh. He used to wear this ridiculous onesie before I gave him the suit. And you’d think it’d be a  little more high tech, cause Pep, he is a genius. And he’s a real big nerd, too. For his birthday all he wanted were Star War legos. He had a favorite pair of socks- barbie themed, he and his friend Ted secretly loved those movies. Knew all the “lore” and everything,” Tony chuckled, rubbing circles on Peter’s hand with his thumb. “He’d sneeze whenever he’d walk into direct sunlight, think he was slightly allergic or something. He’d never stop talking, too. Could go on for hours and hours about literally nothing.”

“He really is Morgan’s big brother, huh?” Pepper asked, looking at the sweet face Tony was wearing while looking at Peter.

“That’s what we used to tell her, yes. Back when.. When he-” Tony struggled.

“He left?” Pepper put softly.

Tony inhaled, “yeah. He did. He’s uh, he’s the reason I left, I just needed him back.”

“Wow,” she whispered.

Tony might have said more, but at that moment Peter shuffled, and his heartbeat spiked.

“GET ME- please, i don’t- beck I just need to be fine for- PLEASE!-” he murmured, still not fully awake.

“Hey, hey, hey. Careful, you’re okay roos, It’s just me and Pepper, you’re fine.” Tony muttered.

“No.. no you’re… no..” he struggled, then his eyes jolted open.-

“Woah! Ok Buddy, calm down, it's just us-”

“No, no you're not… I, how..” Peter said as he panted slightly.

“See? I'm back buddy! Even your sixth sense is telling you I am, right?” Tony grinned.

Peter looked over at Pepper, “how do you remember me..?”

Pepper looked at him with sad eyes, put her hand on his knee, then said with a slow and gentle voice. “I don't, I'm sorry love, but I'm trying, okay?”

Peter didn't answer, he just looked around the room, like there was something he was waiting to happen, something bad.

But apparently, it didn't happen. Because he looked back at Tony.

“You've got a lot of nerve, Beck.” He snarled.

“I- what?” Tony stammered back, honestly, this wasn't at all how he'd imagined his reunion with his so- Peter.

“You've used Tony on me before, but then you were just blaming it all on me. Now you think I'm stupid enough to think he's just miraculously back?” 

“Peter, it's me, who's Beck and-”

“Stop it. I'm done.” he shifted, “if I could move right now, you'd be dead. Cold and pale.. Dead.” he said, shaky and scared– but still looking like he meant it.

Tony’s heart shattered so badly he could imagine the prices ricocheting on the floor.

And for the first time in his life, he wasn't being dramatic.

Seeing Peter look like anything but a ball of sunshine, hurt.

And since when did he kill people?

And who the fuck is this Beck?

“Peter, it was never you’r-”

“Didn’t I just tell you to stop? I’m done with your bullshit.”

Tony was a bit taken aback by this, and Tony, ever the emotional expert, wasn’t gonna be talked over this much. And Peter clearly wasn’t in his right mind. 

“Nope, you do not talk to me like that.” he snapped back at Peter, whose eyes widened a little. “I’ve waited a long time to finally talk to you and this is how you want our first conversation in iv- six years to go? No, nuh uh, not while I’m still breathing.”

Pepper gave him a look that clearly said ‘ Tony, that wasn’t great, apologise.’

But he just gave her a look that said ‘I know who i’m talking to, thanks.’ right back.

“I- what?” Peter said, looking at Tony like he’d just come back from the dead, and well…

“You heard me. Now I don't know who this beck guy is, nor why you can't believe I'm back– it’s happened before. But I’m not gonna sit here and let you not accept my comfort.”

Peter stared at him, blank face, blank eyes, blank stare. 

Until his eyebrows knitted together, like he was trying to stop the welling of tears in his eyes.

“Is that really you?” he whispered, barely more than a breath.

Tony smiled, finally. “Yeah, it’s me. The one and only.”

Peter made a desperate sort of move, maybe trying to hug Tony, but the pills he was on probably didn’t make it easy for him to move much.

Luckily for the both of them, Tony could move, so he hugged Peter like a lifeline.

Like he was going to turn to dust.

Like he’d fly away in the wind.

He didn’t.

                                                         ******

Long silence and heavy emotions was really all that happened in the hour that Peter was processing Tony’s return.

“But, how..?” Peter asked, fiddling with a strand of Pepper's hair.

“We don’t know yet, but we can get answers.” Pepper said.

“My question is, why doesn’t Pepper remember you?” Tony asked, not really pointed at Peter.

But maybe it should've been, because Peter eyes widened and he started to avoided eye contact

“Kid?” Tony  said as he eyed him spectally.

There was a soft buzz in the room and Pepper, who was holding one of Peter's hands in her own, looked at her smart watch.

“Oh, I need to go.” she squeezed Peter’s hand before letting go, kissing Tony’s head and leaving the room.

“It’s, it’s a really long story…” Peter mumbled.

“And I’ve waited a really long time to talk to you. Fess up.” Tony said simply, dismissing any room for hiding.

Peter looked at him and sighed, taking in a long and deep breath of air, gathering his words.

“I messed up.” was the only warning Tony had before Peter’s eyes welled up in tears.

“Woah, ok- uh, how?” Tony said, sitting on the edge of Peter’s bed and cradling his head.

“I just… Whyb did you choose me? I’m nothing like you, Mr. Stark. And i know that. I’ve known that. So when I got the glasses, I gave them to someone I trusted. But they ended up being the ad guy- then everyone knew my name and who i was and thought that i was a bad guy because i killed him- mr. Stark, I swear I had to. But he made everyone think that he was some saint, then everyone hated me. I could barely live, Mr. Stark  and it was hurting the people who loved me. Who I loved. So i- I go to Steven, Mr. Dr. Strange, and I ask him to make everyone forget it. But then I made him mess up the spell and the universe was breaking and it was all because of me. So I made Steven make everyone forget who I am. That way everyone was safe, safe from me. ” he sniffed, taking a breath because he said all that really fast without any breaks.

“I- woah, okay, Maybe it was a long story but that's fine, let’s break this down, K?” 

Peter nodded.

“Ok, firstly. I gave you those glasses because you’re nothing like me, kid. You’re everything I should’ve been and more. So I trusted you with my legacy more than anyone.”

Peter nodded, maybe not fully believing Tony, but that was a start.

“And who is this guy you trusted? How did they trick you?” Tony asked, and he probably could’ve asked gentler, because Peter looked like a soldier remembering a war.

“I- he was Beck. Quinten Beck. he pretended to be this superhero. And there were these monsters– we called them elementals, because first it was like a water one, then this fire one, and then it was this tornado one. I think there was a rock one before that, and then there was the bigger one, but by then I knew they were all fake.”
“What?”

“Beck was making it all up, he had this team- and a bunch of drones to make it all look real. Even his powers were fake. And he made me think he was this great guy, I… I gave him the glasses. Because I thought it was the right thing. But that made everything worse, so by the time I killed him, his team already had all they needed to ruin my life.” 

“So he was like, what? A con artist?” 

“Yeah.”

“So how did he use me against you?” Tony quirked a brow.

Peter sighed, it was a sadder sigh, more like giving up than being annoyed.

“When I found out about him, I went to a like layer, and he used E.D.I.T.H. to put me in all sorts of illusions, I couldn't tell if my own hand was real in that shit, and he.. He made a few visions of you..” Peter elaborated. The pills were wearing off, and he was able to fiddle with his hands as he avoided eye contact.

“Oh.” 

Tony, never one to be dramatic, would’ve torn that bastard inside out if he weren’t already dead.

But did Peter really think Beck was right?

Hadn’t Peter known how much Tony loved him, and wouldn’t blame him for a thing?

Maybe Tony had done a bad job at it? This whole… mentoring.. Stuff.

“Well, uh, just so you know kid. None of it was your fault, I did what I did because it was the only way there was. None of that lays on you, K?”

Peter nodded, still avoiding eye contact.

“Ok. great. So how did he-”

“PETEY.”

Welp, there goes that conversation.

Morgan ran into the room, basically flying as she jumped onto Peter’s bed.

Woah! Hey, Mo, careful. He needs to rest.” Tony said, attempting to pick Morgan up, and failing miserably because she was wiggling out of his grip.

“Don’t you give me orders!” she turned to Tony, holding her finger up at his face.

“I-?” and the man was too stunned to speak.

“You said you’d be back with Petey in five minutes, THIRTY MINUTES AGO, THIRTY.” she bawled.

“Oh.. I did say that, yeah..” he muttered.

“Yeah! You did. And I’m very mad at you!” she said, clearly making sure her face looked as angry as possible.

Tony tried not to laugh, it was pretty hard.

“I’m sorry, love. Petey needed help so we brought him here.”

“Fine, but don’t talk to me!”

“For how long?” Tony pouted his lips.

Morgan thought about it for a good second, “hmm, five minutes!”

Tony put on a sigh, “fine..” then turned around to see Happy and Pepper by the doorway, Happy probably went to go pick Morgan up, and that’s why Pepper left.

“H-hi.” Tony heard Peter stammer, once Morgan turned back to him.

“Petey! I missed you so much. Why did you go away?” 

Tony turned around to see Peter’s stunned face. 

“I- ..what?” he said, gaining a sceptical look in his eye.

“You left, again. why?” 

Peter looked over at Tony in a way he didn’t really like. Like the trust he’d slowly gained was slipping away from his fingers.

Like dust.

Chapter Text

This is right.

Why doesn’t it feel right?

Peter’s spidey tingle was telling him that everything was fine, but his common sense was saying the exact opposite.

He had trouble believing Tony was back at first, but he couldn’t help but notice things that Beck could’ve never known.

Tony’s exact heartbeat, that was always so different to everybody else's. The one Beck never actually heard.

The way he had told Peter off- a snap that felt so in character for Tony, Peter’s Tony. the one Beck never knew. 

The one half of his face was slightly burnt- the same side he held the gauntlet.   And the mettle arm, how would Beck know which arm he’d lose?

not to mention it was literally impossible for Beck to remember him, and be alive at the same time.

Yet for Tony.. it was just that bit more believable. He had always done the undoable.

He was trying to tell himself it was true, that Tony really was back, that their conversation flowed with so much emotion- some even resembling affection, that he could be happy with someone who made him happy.

But when Morgan- sweet, little, excited Morgan- had run into the room like she knew Peter? Said his name like she remembered him? That was it.

There was no explanation to how she could remember him.

Tony remembered because he was dead while the spell had been cast, it probably didn’t reach him.

Pepper didn’t remember him, and that made sense.

But Morgan, she was alive when it was cast, she shouldn’t know who he is.

“Petey! I missed you so much. Why did you go away?” she said, the illusion exactly the same as the reality.

Peter could imagine his face as he put the puzzle pieces together, eyes wide and mouth slightly agape.

“I- ..what?” he said slowly.

“You left, again. why?” 

Peter looked over at Tony –the fake Tony– with the most venomous look as all his trust in him faded away.

Like a heartbeat slowing down. Like an arc reactor’s light, flickering off.

But fine.

He’d play along.

What did he have to lose?

He painted a smile, looked back over at the hoax of Morgan, and rattled his brain for a response.

“I, it’s a long story. But- I’m here now, right? Now we can watch Cinderella, like you always liked, right?” he grinned. Knowing that she didn’t like that movie, she always preferred less princess-y movies, like 101 Dalmatians, or Dumbo and Bami.

Which is why Peter was so stunned when Morgan's face twisted in confusion, and she said “what? Petey, you know I don't like those movies.”

Beck– Beck’s team could never have known that.

Peter bit his cheek, unsure of everything around him- a sickening feeling of doubt and what if’s.

“Uh, yeah! Sorry Mo, I’m really tired and I think the medicine they gave me is messing up my brain” he said, not holding eye contact.

“Okay, yup. That’s our queue to leave.” Pepper said, grabbing Morgan from under her arms and taking her away.

“What?! But we just got here!” she whined, trying (and failing) to escape from her mother’s grasp.

“You heard him. He needs rest, love. otherwise he might accidentally say you hate bugs.”

Morgan gasped, then looked back at Peter and blew him a sad kiss goodbye as they left the room.

Happy awkwardly followed suit, mumbling something about making sure they leave safely.

Tony looked at Peter, worried. And Peter knew it was a lie, because Peter’s only been on the receiving end of that look once. 

“Pete, you feeling fine?” he asked gently, too gently.

Peter tried hard not to look scared as the fraud Tony sat on the edge of the bed and put his hand on Peter's knee.

“Mhm.” he nodded.

“Look, I know it’s probably difficult to believe her remembering you. But I promise, we will figure it out, okay?” Peter thought this an obvious excuse. Beck, or his team, knew how badly their attempt at convincing Peter was going.

“Mhm. yeah, i just- i really need to rest, y’know? The pills and stuff.” Peter was honestly just saying what the fake Tony wanted to hear, but as soon as he left Peter would use his enhanced hearing and find out where the rest of the team was, or what they were planning on doing with him.

“Tony.” Pepper’s voice called out as she leaned into the doorframe. “Come on, he needs to rest and we need to talk.” she waved him over.

Tony sighed and squeezed Peter’s hand, but before he could pull away, Peter came to a realisation.

Holograms can’t hold your hand.

Holograms can’t hold your hand.

Could they? They could hit you, sure, but such small and detailed contact shouldn’t be possible for a 3D image.

Peter quickly grabbed Tony’s arm with his other hand, it was right there.

He wasn’t a hologram.

He isn’t a hologram.

Tony- fake Tony? The real or fake Tony looked down at him with even more concern.

“Kid?” he asked.

Peter swallowed, he didn’t know what to think and he could honestly just cry.

“No, just.” he took a deep breath, “you’re- you’re right there.” his voice cracked as he spoke.

Tony’s face softened, “yup.” he said gently.

“You were..” Peter wondered if he should keep speaking, he didn’t want to waste all this emotion on an imposture, but then he wondered if he could stop. “You were gone for so long… It was all thanks to me.” his face screwed up and tears glazed his vision.

“Awe, come on. I've already told you, bud, none of that is on you.”

Peter inhaled a shallow and shaky breath, trying to gather himself

“C-could you stay? While I rest?” 

Tony looked over at Pepper, who walked up to Peter’s bed and leaned over to his level on the bed, putting her hands on her knees. “Of course he can, hon. But I’m gonna need to steal him for a little bit, okay?” she said gently, speaking with her Mother voice and smiling her Mother smile… warm and soft, Peter remembered every time she spoke to him like that.

She didn’t.

Peter nodded up at her, technically this was great for his half-formed plan: Pepper clearly needed to talk to Tony, it could be about their plan? To fool Peter? But if anyone here, he trusted Pepper the most, she wasn’t dead, she didn’t remember him, she was meant to be at SI tower -probably- she was everything she was supposed to be.

But still, Peter’s head throbbed with ways that he could be tricked. Ways that they might not actually be real- what if they were actors? And the hologram part only made them look like the Starks? 

Peter didn’t know. He didn’t know if he wanted to know.

But he had to find out, one way or another.

He watched as Tony and Pepper(?) walked out of the room, slowly closing the door behind them.

Peter usually didn’t extend his already enhanced hearing on purpose, seeing as on good days it could give him a really bad headache.

But he found that with some concentration, he could focus his hearing all on one spot, that way he could eavesdrop on unsuspecting conversations.

Even if it left him feeling a little drowsy.

He could already hear Pepper’s firm voice somewhere outside his room.

Whipping his eyes and taking in a deep breath, Peter closed his eyes and aimed his hearing to that voice.

“Tony, what’s going on? Seriously.”

Peter could hear Tony give a big sigh. “I’m not too sure, Pep. It seems that since I’ve been gone, Pete’s been through hell and back. Some Quinten guy messed everything up, then the next thing he knew, he was getting that wizard guy- the one that told me about Thanos-  to whip everyone's memory of him. That’s why you and Happy don’t remember him.”

"Well it’s really bothering me. I know I know him– somehow –  it’s like my brian doesn’t remember him but everything else does. I mean come on Tony, did you see the way I talked to him?”

“It was like how you talk to Morgan.” Tony said, a smile evident in his voice.

“And I wasn’t even trying.” Peter heard Pepper shift. “He was really important to us, huh?” she said, bittersweet.

Tony paused for a moment, and that’s when Peter decided to stop.

His head now hurt, not only because he had more proof of Tony being real than not. But also because he was exhausted by abusing his powers.

He figured he’d have that nap he said he would.

Closing his eyes, he sunk into the white sheets and willed his body to calm down.

He focused on his breathing, both as entertainment and as a way to keep himself from hyperventilating.

By his thirty-second long breath, Peter heard the door open. He felt the presence of two people instead of one.

“Ok, stay here with him. I’m done with my meetings for today so I’ll take Morgan to lunch somewhere in the building. I’ll make sure I ask his doctor or that nurse when he’ll be discharged. When he does he can come home with us. Okay?” Pepper’s soft whisper spoke to Tony.

“Okay.” 

Peter could feel as Pepper’s presence left the room, closing the door softly on her way out.

If Tony was looking at Peter, he didn’t say anything. He probably thought he was asleep.

Tony sat back down in the chair beside Peter’s bed and slumped down, sighing.

Peter waited for him to say something, pull out his phone and start scrolling. But after a few long moments, Tony’s breath evened out. 

He fell asleep.

Peter couldn’t help but smile, if this really was the real Tony Stark, he’d become so much more since Peter left.

Peter could remember staying over at the tower before the blip. Waking up in the middle of the night and finding Tony still awake, umpteenth cup of coffee in his hands.

It was really normal for Tony to have restless nights. Peter found that every time he did, he’d grow fidgety, flinchy.

Peter didn’t really like seeing him like that.

So it was really like a fresh breath of air to know Tony was taking a nap, of all things.

Peter didn’t remember falling asleep, but he must have because the sound of the door opening made him wake up and open his eyes.

He didn’t move, keeping his breath even as tiny little footsteps approached his bed.

“Petey?” Morgan whispered behind him, climbing on the bed.

“Morg, does your Mommy know you’re here?” Peter whispered back, turning to face her with a small smile.

Morgan's face grew cheeky, she pulled the covers up and climbed under them, laying down and snuggling herself into Peter’s side. 

“She maybe, might think I’m in the bathroom, but she’s on her was here anyway and when she comes here I’ll pretend to be asleep and she can’t be mad” she said, her hushed voice muffled in Peter’s shirt.

“Oh, okay.” Peter tried not to laugh at Morgan, she was just like before.

He turned around in the bed fully so he could hug Morgan.

“Pete? Come on, get up. They’re letting us take you home, bud. And we’ve got a few stops to make first.”

Chapter Text

“He was really important to us, huh?” Pepper mused, her voice sad but knowing, eyes loving but hurt.

She has no idea.

Tony wished he could let her see, give her a glimpse of the little family they had.

Sure, they didn’t really have much time together- Peter first slept over at the tower about six months before.. Before the Blip.

But that never stopped them from inviting him over every time May had an extra tight shift.

And it never stopped them from seeing Peter as their own, no matter how late Tony had realized it.

It was the first time in his life Tony thought he could be a father– in his past he’d been brought to the idea of parenthood by some loud reporter, but he dismissed that thought to the deepest and darkest parts of his brain.

He thought his own Dad had fucked him up too much to raise a human being, he could barely take care of himself- Bless Pepper and her patience.

But getting to know Peter had been… weird.

Not necessarily a bad weird, just something to get used to.

He’d felt oddly bad for Peter when he found out the kid had to dumpster dive to build stuff. Even though he was very much aware that people had to do that, and that he himself was very privileged.

And seeing him hurt in Germany gave him a weird Panic-y feeling in the pit of his stomach.

Then, when May was complaining about having a late shift and worrying about Peter, a small but so very insistent voice in the back of Tony’s head told him to offer to let Peter stay over at the tower.

That became the new norm.

Then there were the nights where Peter would wake up from a bad dream, and obviously Tony would still be awake. At first it was really awkward for Tony- how would you comfort a scared teenager? That didn’t seem like a battle Iron Man could win.

But eventually, it became a second nature to comfort him.

A fatherly instinct to hold him closer and cradle his head that Tony followed with no fear, and soon enough, he’d started having to stop himself from calling Peter his son.

Tony swallowed and nodded, looking into Pepper’s eyes, “he was like our own kid.”

“Yeah, I bet he was.”

It still surprised Tony how long it took him to realise as such- he’d even said he’d wanted to break the cycle that his own father had set, heavily implying that he was Peter’s father.

And, of course, when he had realised it, it was too late.

Peter was staying over the night before a school field trip.

He and Pepper said goodbye to him, side by side in joggers' wear. They had walked Peter to the bus stop and were seeing him off till Friday.

Pepper kissed the top of Peter’s head, and Tony thought of what a great Mother she was.

Was, not could be.

Then he thought about it a little bit more- not only did he think of Pepper as a mother, he thought of himself as a father.

And Peter as their child.

Obviously he was a bit shaken by this, but he thought he’d bring it up later on, lead with something random- like he had a dream about having a kid.

But then, a doctor wizard who clearly took beard inspo from Tony came out of nowhere.

And it was too late.

“I wish I could've told him about it, but when I realized how much I actually love him, I…”

“It was too late?” Pepper placed gently.

“Why isn’t “mind reader” on your resume?”

That made Pepper laugh, and Tony let himself relax at the sound.

“You’ve been lacking on your usual jokes lately, love.”

“I’m offended.”

“I’m serious.”

Sigh, and a roll of Tony’s eye’s. “I can be serious, you know?”

“Oh, I know. But you’re not, not unless..”

“Unless my kid doesn’t think I’m actually me, and looks like he had brunch with the grim reaper?” Tony supplied.

Pepper shook her head, “Okay, firstly, you had breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner and dessert with the Grim Reaper, so you can’t speak. And secondly, what do you mean he doesn’t think you’re you? Doesn’t he know how many times you’ve previously come back from hell?”

“Yeah, not funny. I saved the universe so I’d be in heaven, thanks.” Tony said, tone flat. “And that Quinten guy was some sort of con artist and made Peter believe a whole lotta shit- quite a bit of that shit including me.”

“Shit.”

Both Pepper and Tony snapped their heads to that little cheeky voice.

“Uh! Nuh uh. Nope. Come on, Mo, we’ve talked about Mommy’s word.” Tony snapped a finger at her.

“Then, tell me Daddy, why did you say it?” she shot an accusing look at Tony that she probably got from Tony.

“I-?”

“What do you mean ‘Mommy’s word’? You say it more than I do!” yup, nevermind. She got it from Pepper.

Tony felt he was being cornered. Unfair.

“Okay- listen. It’s mommy’s word because.. Uh- ah! Happy!” Tony yelled to the air a few feet away. “Why don’t you take these two beautiful women to uhm..”

“Yeah, whatever.” Pepper rolled her eyes, but there was no real venom to her face whatsoever. “Mo? Stay here for a sec, okay?”

“Okay Mommy!” Morgan replied happily, sticking her tongue out to Tony when Pepper turned around and started walking towards Peter's room.

“I- you’ll answer to that later young women!” Tony whisper-shouted to her before turning on his heel and catching up to Pepper, hearing little giggles as he ran.

“Where does she get her sass from?” he said dramatically.

Pepper spared him a flat look before opening the door.

Tony could see her eyes scan the room, landing on the sleeping Peter.

“Okay, stay here with him. I’m done with my meetings for today so I’ll take Morgan to lunch somewhere in the building. I’ll make sure I ask his doctor or that nurse when he’ll be discharged. When he does he can come home with us. Okay?” Pepper’s voice dropped to a whisper as she spoke.

“Okay.”

Then she left, closing the door carefully on her way out.

Tony stared at Peter, thinking about too many things.

Mainly Peter, obviously.

Tony wished he could’ve gotten the full story- he still couldn’t paint a good picture about why Strange would do such a thing.

Sighing, Tony sat down in the chair next to Peter, closing his eyes and resting his head backwards.

“Tony.”

Tony opened his eyes, saw nothing but blur and rubbed his eyes with his left hand.

Opening them again, he found Pepper looking down at him, mad? Probably not. She looked like she was hiding a smile.

“Love of my life?” Tony yawned.

“You just let Morgan sleep next to Peter like that? He’s still sick, he could get hurt!”

Tony’s head snapped over to Peter’s bed, which was being occupied by more than just Peter.

“Oh.. uh- well, Pep, I uhm. See I’ve been real tired and- well, we can’t all be as- see, you’ve always been a better-” Tony stopped his pathetic stuttering when he saw his wife grin. “Oh. Okay. go ahead and scare me, won’t you?” he rolled his eyes and Pepper laughed, trying to keep quiet.

“Aren’t they adorable?” she frowned fondly, pouting her bottom lip.

Tony looked back over to the hospital bed. Morgan was crawled up into Peter’s side and Peter had his arm tightly around Morgan's ribs. They looked like puppies trying to keep warm in the winter.

“You know, I’ve never seen them together.”

Probably a surprising fact, though to Tony, it was more depressing.

“Haven’t you?” Pepper asked, looking away from the two children, a sad look smoothly replacing the warm thing on her face as she looked at Tony.

“No. He left, remember? We had Morgan after he died, and then I was too busy being the greatest man of all time- hero of the universe, Iron Man!-”

“Get on with it.” Pepper deadpanned.

Tony rolled his eyes “fine. I was too busy being dead to introduce them, though I’d thought of it, countlessly.”

Pepper was quiet for a moment, looking back to the kids. “I wish I could remember, I wish I could just see him, the way I saw him, for just a second.”

Tony bit the side of his cheek.

“I’ve been thinking-”

“You were sleeping.”

“I slept on it.” he snapped quietly.

Pepper huffed a laugh and fondly rolled her eyes. “What?”

“Maybe, if we could go to Strange and talk to him, he could explain some of this in better detail? If there’s one thing I remember about Pete is that he doesn’t let you know if he’s hurt. I have a feeling he wouldn’t give the full gig.”

“I wonder who he got that from,” Pepper murmured.

“Hey! He’s not biologically ours, so it's not my fault.”

“I like your idea, but where does Strange live? You’ve only met him on earth once.” Pepper ignored Tony’s protest.

“I know I was somewhere in New York when I entered that portal thingy, somewhere by that shop we used to go to with Pete, Delmars or something.”

“... I remember that place!” Pepper stated, somewhat a question.

“Really?”

“Yes! Was he the one who always asked for his sandwich pressed down a lot?”

Tony grinned. “I guess you remember a bunch more than you think.” he reached out to hold her hands.

“So, that’s it? You’re just gonna wander about near Delmar’s and hope you find it?”

“It wasn’t a place to miss, Pep, the guy was a wizard." Tony reminded her flatly, the wizards inn looked about as spooky as hiding in plain sight would go- and this is New York we're talking about.

“Okay, I’ll go tell Happy about our plans, you wake up the kids and wait for me to get back, okay?”

“How many times are you gonna say “okay” today? Is that your new catchphrase or-?”

“Bye.” Pepper cut Tony off, walking out the room.

Tony sighed and smiled, turning back to the kids, sleeping peacefully, tangled together.

He bent down and tapped Morgan on her shoulder, softly waking her up.

“Wah?” she murmured, eyes still closed.

“We’re going soon, sweetie.”

“Nen wake me uhf ‘sooh’” she dismissed him, stuffing her face even further into Peter's side.

Tony held back a chuckle, shaking his head and wondering what the hell he was gonna do with this kid.

Sitting back down, Tony decides it’s best to wait for Pepper and let the kids sleep. They’re only leaving when Pete gets discharged, anyway.

A few minutes later, Pepper comes back in with Peter’s doctor. Doctor Rose, as written on her badge, explained how Peter was heavily dehydrated and starved, that they didn’t notice it, even with studying his health with the expectations of an enhanced person, because Peter’s metabolism is twice that of the average mutant or mutate.

Not to mention the fact that his DNA was healing everything, slower than they’d assume, but faster than any normal person.

She’d given them a list of foods and liquids to feed Peter, and the amount of physical activities he was allowed to do.

Then before dismissing herself, she told them that Peter could leave, but he’d have to come back within a week's time to see if his healing factor will be able to cover all the damage.

When she left, Pepper thanked her then looked to Tony.

“You had one job, Tony.” she said, nodding to Peter and Morgan.

“I do apologise, but Morgan refused to wake up, and I figured I should let Peter rest..?” Tony defended himself, sounding a little bit questioning.

“Okay, but you have to wake them up now, cause Happy’s waiting.” Pepper said, sitting down in the chair Tony was sitting in.

Tony sighed, but ultimately agreed.

“Hey, Mo, we’re leaving now.”

“Fyf moa minus..” she mumbled.

“Come on, don’t you wanna show Petey your spider-man collection?” Tony prompted.

“Ugh… okay..” Morgan said, sitting up in the bed.

The noise or movement must’ve woken Peter up, because he sat up too, just with his eyes closed.

Tony smiled, he remembered when Peter would do that. It’s a weird kind of thing his sixth sense would do when he felt something in his sleep, it’s basically a mental alarm clock.

“Pete? Come on, get up. They’re letting us take you home, bud. And we’ve got a few stops to make first.”

Chapter Text

Peter doesn’t fucking know anymore.

He’s sitting in Happy's car and he has no idea what the hell to think.

There’s the things that are slightly believable, like Happy, who doesn’t remember him, doesn’t know him, but still somehow knows May through spider-man.

There’s Pepper, who doesn’t remember him, and kind of knows him(?) but still looks at him the same way she used to before hell was poured over Peter’s life.

But then there’s the stuff that makes absolutely zero sense, like Tony. what business does he have coming back to life??? It just doesn’t have enough logic to be true.

And Morgan????? Somehow, she’s even more confusing than Tony. Steven told him that in order to save the universe, everyone had to forget about Peter. Peter believed him because it worked. They're safe. And he still does. But then how on earth would Morgan remember him?

The thought breaks through every part of Peter’s brain, never allowing him to stop thinking about it.

She can't be a hologram, even in his sleep Peter could feel her breathing, her body heat, he could hear her heart beat. And she can’t be an actress, either, because no one from the public could know that a five-year-old girl didn’t like Cinderella. But there’s absolutely zero percent chance she could remember him, but Peter’s senses were telling him that it was more of a one hundred percent chance.

Last time he didn’t trust his senses, he ended up in this mess.

But he still couldn’t help but question it.

Peter looked out the window, he was sitting in the backseat, in the middle of Morgan and Pepper. He’d think Pepper would sit in the front, with her CEO nature, but Tony was sitting next to Happy, giving him instructions to wherever they are going.

He’s still sitting pretty close to the right door, because Morgan is holding him close by the arm, looking up at him and studying his face.

Peter looks over to Pepper, who is staring at him softly.

Peter raised his eyebrows in surprise and question, and Pepper took a small and quiet breath.

“Hi.” She said softly.

“..Hi?” Peter asked, definitely not rudely, but he probably could’ve sounded less questioning.

A beat passed, and Pepper pressed her lips.. Awkwardly?

“We were.. Close, right?” she asked, looking down at her hands.

Peter’s eyes widened even more at that, he didn’t know too much about this spell, but he was pretty sure Pepper shouldn’t know that. Or at least not speak to him like… like her.. Like someone she knew.

Kind of hurt.

“Uh.. yes, I... yeah.”

She smiled the world's smallest smile, still looking down at her hands.

“What did we do together?” she asked quietly.

It was so quiet, if Peter didn’t have super duper enhanced hearing, he probably wouldn’t be able to hear it. But he did, and he stared at Pepper for a moment, considering his words.

“We’d watch a lot of movies.” he started slowly, “like, star wars on tuesday and then rom com on wednesday. And one time we went to the zoo, and there was this bird show. I got one to land on my arm, Tony got all jealous so he bought himself a bubblegum milkshake, which is my favorite, and he refused to get me one. But you got me two- one because you said you were proud of me, and one to make Tony mad.”

“You’re a bird whispsperer?” Morgan breathed in awe, Peter looked down at her and saw her big brown eyes looking up at Peter.

“Yeah. He told me his name was Johnny.” Peter grinned.

“Woah..”

Peter looked back up at Pepper to see her smiling at the two of them.

“I remember that. That was the time Tony nearly fell into the open fish tank.” she grinned.

Peter stared at her, he supposed that memory wasn’t of him, but it was still strange that she could put those together.

“Yeah.. yeah, and his hair went all curly.”

“Hey! I do not consent to being gossiped about. You finding out I had curly hair was not what I needed that day.” Tony not-yelled from the passenger seat.

“I mean, I kinda needed it. I used to straighten my hair a lot when I was younger to look like you. So, now I feel a lot less insecure about my own kinda curls.” Peter voiced.

Tony looked back at Peter, turning his entire upper body. His stare was a little intense, it made Peter stiffen up a little. Not too sure if the silence filling the air was awkward or not.

“You used to wanna look like me?”

Pepper glanced between Peter and her husband, smiling before saying “he doesn’t need to try much, he looks like you but younger.” which made Peter blush.

“i- i, uhm, thank you- uhm..” Peter stuttered.

Tony kept his intense gaze for a moment longer, but then Happy called something out.

“This the place, boss?” Happy asked as he pulled over to the side of the road, Tony turned back to face where they were at, and Peter followed suit. Looking out of the window.

Peter’s eyes widen as recognition dawns on him- they’re here.

Where most of it all began.

Where Peter majorly and multi-versely messed up.

The sorcerer’s sanctum.

Peter looked over at Pepper with his wide eyes, hopefully filled with questions and not the gut-wrenching deja vu he was getting at just the look of this place.

“We’re just here to ask a few questions, is that alright with you, love?”

Peter nodded silently and tried not to look physically ill as he tried to melt all the snowy memories away.

Honestly, it was no use. Doctor Strange doesn’t remember Peter- nobody does. Well, nobody but Morgan and the freaking dead. But Strange isn’t an exception like Morgan is.

So asking Steven a bunch of questions he can’t answer will just be a waste of time and Peter’s mental health.

At least, that’s what Peter was thinking as they all walked up to the spooky sanctum double doors.

“I’ll, uhm, stay back and make sure the car’s safe, not the best place in town, you know?” Happy mumbled before leaving the four and backing towards the car.

Right then, Tony walked up to the doors, pulling up some red metal arm to knock on the doors before they opened by themselves.

Tony glanced at the three of them and mumbled “not so great security.”

The Starks and Parker walked into the giant room with some hesitance, Morgan death gripping Peter’s hand.

Peter felt the hairs on his neck stand up, and his head buzzed with some sort of signal.

He grabbed Morgan and jumped to the ceiling, holding the startled child to his chest with one strong arm and using his other limbs to stick to the curved roof like a huntsman spider, searching the room for a threat he was sensing.

He saw Tony stepping in front of Pepper, holding his left hand up as a nanotech glove creeped around it, ready to shoot.

Peter saw Steven appear at the top of the staircase, hands held in that weird thing he did before casting a spell or opening a portal.

“The man you are imitating is respected across the universe, show your true self and surrender. Or don’t, either way you will feel immense pain.” he snarled, forming two golden shards and holding them firm in his hands.

From the angle he was at, Peter couldn’t see his face, but he could see as Tony’s head raised a bit and his hand lowered, and he could hear the soft “ah.” of realisation that came out of his mouth.

“Look, Steven, I get that this is a little crazy, I don’t understand it either, but you’ve seen weirder things. Hell, you’ve come back to life, so please, put your weapons down.” He said, making a show of putting his own hand down.

But Steven didn’t flinch. He just stiffened and stood his ground.

“I’m gonna tell you this one more time. Show yourself. Or you’ll die in a costume.”

Tony sighed, and Peter could hear Morgan's scared heartbeat, and he could smell the tears in her eyes. He held her tighter and moved further from Strange, slowly, quietly.

Tony’s head stayed in the same place, angled just so he could stare at Strange.

Multiple beats passed, and Peter was contemplating webbing Morgan up here while he goes down and beats Doctor Strange in battle for a second time. However, Peter wasn’t all that sure he could win, what with the state he's in.

Fortunately, Tony took in a breath, and he started speaking.

“I thought you were mad.” Tony started slowly, choosing his words with care. “When you gave up that stone for my life. I felt angry and tired, and so hopeless.. I, I wanted you to let him kill me.”

Strange paused, eyes widening in a haunted sort of way.

Tony continued, probably noting that whatever he was doing was kind of working. “You told me that it was the only way. Your last words, Strange, was that you had to give him what he wanted in order for us to win. And then we lost. Peter died in my arms and for five years I blamed you.” His voice shook as he put emphasis on his last few words.

He was going to continue speaking, but suddenly Steven did a hand movement to make his golden something-shards vanish, his cape bringing him down the grand staircase.

“Tony, who is Peter?” he asked, nearly more serious than when he threatened to kill him.

And that was kinda rude. Honestly, it's like the universe is rubbing all of it in Peter’s face recently.

“That’s why we’re here! Why can’t anyone remember him, Doc?” Tony asked

“Is he here?” Steven asked urgently.

The three adults below started looking around the room.

“Morgan?” Pepper called out, worried.

“Are you ready to go down?” Peter whispered in her ear.

She nodded, and Peter let go of the roof and landed beside Tony, who shrieked.

“Shit! Peter?!” he gasped. “What on earth was that?” he tried to sound calm, Peter could tell, but he was failing quite miserably.

“I sensed a threat, got Mo away from it.” Peter shrugged, putting a giggling Morgan down, who stepped behind Peter and held on to his leg.

“Awe, thank you Peter.” Pepper smiled.

Peter smiled back at Pepper before looking at Steven, who was staring at him.

“I’ve been waiting for you, Peter.”

What.

…

What?

“I- wha-? But- you’re not supposed to- how-?” Peter tried to find a way to verbally express how confused he was, but he gave up and settled for his stumped look.

Steven kinda-smiled, looking at Peter like he was putting a face to a book character with no description.

“Ah, where are my manners? Please, all of you, sit.”

And then the room made a sort of swoosh sound, and his stomach did a few flips, then so did the room. It was such a sensory overload before everything stilled, and his knees gave in to a force that wasn’t there, and he fell onto a leather couch. Morgan falling on him less than shortly after.

Morgan giggled, but she was still looking at Steven a little Strangely (pun so freaking intended)

“So, firstly, I’d like to announce how happy I am that you’re back, Tony. You have no idea how much hope you’ve spread around the world. The universe, no doubt.” Steven smiled, holding a cup of what smelt to be coffee, sitting in a matching leather chair in front of his four guests.

Tony nodded slowly, smiling a tad but looking wildly confused. “Thanks, Doc.”

Steven nodded again then turned to Pepper “Mrs. Potts, I’m a big fan of your work with Stark Industries. I was so disappointed when the one time I was able to meet you was under such urgent circumstances.” he calmly praised, earning an approved nod from Pepper.

And then, finally, his gaze shifted to Peter.

“Peter, right?”

Peter breathed in. “It kind of feels like you’re rubbing it in, now.” he said, trying to sound light, like it was funny.

Steven chuckled. “I apologise. But I’m sure you must have a lot of questions. If i’m remembering correctly, which for the first time I’m not too sure if I am, you used to be quite a curious child.”

“I- well, yeah? How do you remember I was curious? How were you waiting for me if you didn’t know me? You said your spell was supposed to whip me from everyone’s memories? And how did Tony come back to life? And why does Morgan remember everything??” Peter said, all very quickly.

“As I’m sure you’ll remember, Peter, I can alter my spells to a point. Runes of Kof-Kol can whip out any information that is in the universe from all citizens of said universe’s minds. But I can make it as sloppy or specific as I want.”

“Right, Doc, this is where I wanna bud in. why did you cast this Runes of cough cole on my- uh, on a teenage boy?” Tony interjected.

Steven considered his question for a moment, before turning back to Peter. “Do you want to tell him?” and Peter wished he hadn’t asked that, because both Tony and Pepper looked at him. Sure, they weren’t expectant or anything, and they were looking at him softly. But it was too soft, and it was making him feel uncomfortable.

“Uhm. you- you could tell them. If you want..”

“Okay.” Strange said, taking in a deep breath.