Archive of Our Own

Work Text

After the events that unfolded as a result of the snap, it was an understatement to say that the world, no the universe had drastically changed. THANOS was eventually defeated, to say the least. Most of the people lost were restored, some died to achieve this feat. Most of the Avengers survived and some lived on in museums dedicated solely to their sacrifice during the war for the stones. Tony had hoped that his return to Earth would be greeted by the smiling and optimistic energy that was uniquely Pepper Potts. He laughed bitterly as he took a sip of whiskey. She had spent the better half of her life trying to reel him back from being Iron Man only to ironically be killed pulling off the most daring Rescue.  “I’m not like you, Tony.” She didn’t have a death wish. She put on the suit to save him and then she never took it off again. Rescue had been fierce in her mission. His disappearance had forced her hand, darkness motivated her to act. Soon he watched the footage of his workshop as she instructed Friday to go through his research in nanotech and the arc reactor so she could build something with the help of a few trusted engineers. Friday declined the command and he watched Pepper completely lose her composure and patience with the A.I. “Friday! You do what I say right now. I can’t let him die all alone in space.” The copper-haired woman commanded as she slammed her fist on his work desk and tears streamed from her eyes.  “Virginia Pepper Potts-designated armor clearance: MARK 1616.” The A.I replied in response to her outburst. “What in the hell...” Pepper went wide-eyed as a space in Tony’s workshop opened up from the ground to reveal a heavy metal chamber rising through the opening. A hologram followed it. Tony. “If you’re seeing this, I must’ve really screwed the pooch this time. I know you hate these things but I want you to be my knight in shining armor. I want you to help people too, I love you.” The hologram ended. “That unbelievable son of a--” She cut herself off as her mind raced with new possibilities. “Friday, is this suit up to date as far as technology?” The auburn haired woman asked the A.I as she took a step closer to the chamber that carried her suit. “Would you like a breakdown of the specs for MARK 1616, boss?” The A.I inquired. “For this information, I’m going to need to confirm your identity; voice recognition wasn’t listed as approved authorization. The chamber itself must be activated with your DNA and a key the boss entrusted to you before his departure.” The A.I instructed.  There was a small titanium needle at the side of the metal chamber and a familiar, spherical key slot. She let out a frustrated breath and rolled her eyes. “Really, Tony?” She said as she looked down at the engagement ring he had ‘especially’ made. He smiled at her reaction. “Fine.” Then he watched as Pepper Potts activated the chamber. “ACCESS GRANTED.” The familiar Irish accent in Fridays’ programming announced, Pepper tried to lift her hand away from the hatch but it soon opened and the nanobots engulfed her entire body, molding to her every curve, shielding her as the helmet(the last piece of the suit accurately landed over her head locking the purple armor down and lighting up to welcome its new owner. Pepper had always assumed that the Iron Man armor was heavy to maneuver because of all the metal, alloy and materials Tony used on constant upgrades. Her suit was relatively light and allowed her full motion as if she weren't wearing it at all. The screen in her suit lit up and the familiar A.I’s voice greeted her. “Alright Friday, give me the run down.” The redhead instructed the A.I. “Main capabilities of MARK 1616, breakdown; Superhuman Strength: It increases the user's strength immensely. Enhanced Durability: The armor is highly resistant to all types of punishment. It can resist energy attacks while still standing. Flight: The armor can hover and fly at incredible speeds through the use of boot jets. Repulsors: These are concentrated energy beams that are emitted from the ports in the palms. Unibeam: This is a stronger version of her repulsors which is emitted from a power source on the chest. It can destroy or overwhelm almost anything in its path. Energy Bombs: Also called "laser grenades" Stealth Mode: Just like the Stealth Armor, has a stealth mode equipped inside it. It can turn invisible to the human eye and most scanners but drains a lot of energy and requires a sufficient power to keep the stealth mode on. Other Functions Comm Systems: Its communication systems allow it to talk to the user of the Armory computer terminal or another armor such as Iron Man or War Machine. Voice Filter: It has a voice modulator to protect the user’s identity. Sensor Systems: It has sensors that can scan energy signatures or warn the user of incoming danger. Onboard Computer: The Rescue Armor uses the same operating system that Iron Man uses. Holographic Screen: The suit can project a visual interpretation from the chest power source of whatever the user ’s armor system visualizes, including communications. Pepper whistled inside the suit once Friday finished reading off the specifics. “You really spared no expense, huh Tony?” Pepper said as she activated the suit’s hover mechanism, the windows roared open onto a bright afternoon in New York City as she took flight towards the old Avengers compound. The suit whizzed through the air with finesse until the sensor’s detected an incoming threat. Thankfully the suit’s defense tech was unmatched in comparison to all the other Iron Man armors she had seen in the past. A light blue shield emerged from the suit completely blocking the missile attack and disintegrating the threat. Maybe it would’ve been a good idea to try to call first. Pepper never considered herself confrontational or violent but War Machine was a weapon of warfare and this was the most fun she had had since Tony disappeared weeks ago. “Show your face, WHO ARE YOU? WHY ARE YOU IN POSSESSION OF STARK technology?!” Colonel Rhodes demanded from the War Machine armor as he flew to meet her taking a defensive stance after witnessing how easily and effectively that armor had not only deflected but neutralized his missile attack. “Boss, would you like me to enable armory comms?” Friday asked nervously. “In a minute Friday, I want to test the suit’s abilities against a real opponent.” The red-haired CEO of Stark Industries replied. Before she could issue any more commands a very strong repulsor beam hit her, sending her flying back a few feet, but she was shocked when her armor remained unharmed and no injuries were reported. Peppers eyes narrowed and then she smiled. “That was not nice, Rhodey.” She was surprised at how her voice echoed in such an android like fashion. She definitely didn’t sound like herself. She flew high into the air a few feet above War Machine before he could even react and sent a blinding white unibeam in his direction. War Machine was hit with such a powerful force that he retreated to the ground at the compound were the remaining Avengers awaited her all looking more tired than she had ever seen them but ready to address the newly discovered threat with as much vigor as they could muster. At this, she touched down on the dry unkempt grass. “Colonel Rhodes, this is Pepper Potts.” Friday intervened through the comms. “Pepper?!” Rhodey yelled in surprise as he took his helmet off. “He asked for Rescue, Rhodey.” The auburn-haired CEO of Stark Industries replied as she took off her helmet and greeted everyone with a nod of her head. “Miss Potts, how?” Captain Rogers inquired with a look of awe in his face. “I guess Tony had some contingency plans put in place which he hadn’t discussed with me at all prior to his abduction,” Pepper answered darkly.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

The Titan chuckled dismissively as he watched what was left of ‘Earth’s mightiest heroes’ descend into petty arguments over leadership. He sat in a field using the mind stone to surveil his handy work. “Miss Potts, I’m picking up interference.” Friday alerted her. “What kind of interference, Friday?” Pepper’s eyes narrowed and she put her helmet back on. This move put everyone else on high alert. “We’re being watched.” The Black Widow concluded. “Friday, is there anything this suit can do to--.” She was cut off by the A.I. “Already on it, boss.” The A.I said as she activated the suit’s stealth component. “As long as everyone stays within proximity of the armor, whoever is trying to eavesdrop cannot hear or see what we are doing,” Pepper told everyone as a bright blue light enveloped the group and they all followed her inside the compound. “Miss Potts, we all want to save Tony--.” Steve Rogers started but was immediately cut off by the redhead. “No, you don’t. I doubt you even care about him, Mr. Rogers.” She huffed out crossing her arms over her chest. “You did leave him defenseless in Siberia after your little toss up with Barnes .” She continued as she glared at him. “You don’t...that’s not what happened,” Rogers said defensively as Thor looked at him incredulously. “Tony Stark is a friend and an Avenger, how could you Steven?!” Thor said as his blue eyes darkened. “Thor, that’s not how everything happened. There’s more to it.” The Captain pleaded with the Asgardian unable to place the feeling of shame and hurt that overtook him at the reaction he received from the blonde. “Fighting between ourselves isn’t going to fix anything,” Natasha said as she looked in Bruce’s direction. “Don’t look at me, the Hulk kidnapped me for two years,” Bruce said timidly as he looked away from her and stepped closer to Thor, putting a comforting hand on the god’s shoulder. “It’s okay bud,” Bruce said as concern washed over his features. “It is not okay. Loki is dead. Stark is missing and my people were slaughtered by Thanos.” Thor said bitterly as he stepped away from everyone trying hard to hide the somber look on his face. “Oh, yeah well my whole team bit the dust and if you’re losing hope then I guess we are all pretty much screwed.” The Raccoon spoke up bitterly from his place on the floor. “Tony would know what to do,” Pepper said with conviction. “Jumping to save him without a plan would be catastrophic for all of us.” Steve countered. “Honestly at this point, I don’t care what any of you say. I’m going to save him with or without your help, Captain.” Rescue answered defiantly. “The Iron Maiden is right. Stark’s brilliance may just be what we need to level the playing field.” The God of Thunder spoke as he took a step towards Pepper extending a hand. “In Asgard, we had a group of elite female warriors called Valkyrie. They protected my home from harm and lead armies into courageous battles and saved a lot of people. I respect female leadership. In fact, I encourage it.” Thor said shocking the room as he shook her hand with the first smile he had borne in a long while. “You’re not serious are you?!” Steve said sounding alarmed as his gaze searched Thor’s icy stare. Rhodey spoke up from his silent mulling. “Pep, as much as I hate to agree with Captain Righteous—Do you even know how to handle that suit?”Colonel Rhodes inquired nervously as the redhead turned over to look at him. “For over a decade I’ve watched the man I love work on and maneuver his inventions. I’ve learned to fly without flying. I was placed in MANDATORY hand to hand combat training and my strategic analysis of many of Anthony Stark’s fights was used to program both Jarvis and Friday.” The CEO of Stark Industries said getting a small smile from Bruce Banner. “Miss Potts is correct; when dad and Dr. Banner were building what would soon be Vision they took many of her observations and coded it to his programming, which allowed me to access it and make it part of mine. This makes her an exemplary strategist.” The A.I concluded. “We’ll see about that.” The blonde Russian spy said with a smirk. The redhead sized up Black Widow and grinned in a most UNPEPPER like fashion, “Put on the suit, let's go a few rounds.” Rescue replied in an unabashed fashion, quoting Tony much to the dismay of Captain America. “If you’re as good as you say you are, you won’t need it, Miss Potts.” The Black Widow countered. “Chick fight!” The Raccoon jeered as the men looked at themselves uneasy. “You can lead us, Pepper...beat me first.” The blonde woman said with a dangerous smile. “Don’t hold back Miss Romanoff .” The redhead requested from the spy as she took off her armor and put it in sentient mode.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

The two women stood in the middle of a training room which might as well have been a colosseum. The rest of the Avengers watched from behind the glass. Pepper wore the same tracksuit she had worn the last time she saw Tony. “I see you haven’t changed,” Nat said—her voice soft, her eyes ready. “You’re not looking close enough!” The redhead said as she lunged at the blond, aiming a fist towards her stomach which was easily blocked by the spy. “Today, you’re going to learn.” The Black Widow said echoing hunger in her voice like a predator planning a meal. The Russian did and unexpected backflip taking hold of Pepper’s neck in her arms as she landed and started choking the redhead to concede. Pepper then slammed her head against the spy’s face with so much force her nose bled. It was broken. Natasha grasped her face and swallowed hard. “I guess Tony never told you about Project EXTREMIS.” The redhead stated. “What are you talking about?!” Natasha asked, still reeling. “I was experimented on. Tony tried to get it all out but he couldn’t.” The CEO of Stark industries said as she wrapped gauze around her wrist. “You’re bluffing.” The blond said as she took a deep breath and stood her ground. “Try me.” Natasha then threw a kick at Pepper who dodged it quickly. Pepper was then able to grab a hold of the blond’s ankle and throw her against a wall knocking her unconscious for two minutes. “So does this mean I win?” Pepper asked with an uneasy smile aimed at Natasha. The blond blinked in confusion, regaining consciousness. Pepper extended a hand to help Nat up to her bewildered feet. The blonde woman stumbled as she groaned in pain and grabbed the back of her neck, luckily Pepper caught her quickly in her arms. Natasha was all too aware of her heart beating ridiculously fast and her face felt hot. “You’re strong...” Nat concluded with a look of awe on her face as she collected herself. “What the hell, Pep?!” Rhodey said shocked as he approached the two women. “Tony thought he got all of it. This power comes at a price. I don’t use it because of the negative effect it has on my internal organs and natural body chemistry. I’ve learned to control it over time but it's poisoning my bloodstream slowly.” The redhead said as she sighed in defeat. “But now I’m not afraid to use it. I can use this sickness, this thing destroying me...to save him Rhodey. Let me save him.” The redhead pleaded as her face lowered and tears fell on the metal tiles of the Colosseum. Her hands clenched and unclenched into shaking fists. “Miss Potts, I’ll follow your lead.” The Russian spy said, placing a tentative hand on the other woman’s shoulder. It took a lot to get the infamous Black Widow’s stamp of approval; which drew a startled gasp from Pepper. “I guess we got a new captain.” The Raccoon exclaimed with a grin. Thor was as amazed as Banner looked. “You guy’s can’t be serious, its suicide.” Captain Rogers spoke up looking disturbed and curious. “Don’t get in my way, Rogers.” Pepper said as a dangerous look flooded her features and her entire body shone with an amber light.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Chapter 4: A Chance Encounter 
-Present Time-
 
Peter Parker didn’t have very many people left in the world who were precious to him. He had May, Ned and when it wasn’t too awkward MJ, but Tony Stark had become a constant in his life. At first he chalked it up to stupid teenage idolatry.  but as he got older he had come to the realization that Tony Stark had become somewhat of a father figure whether the man liked to admit it or not. They had saved the world together, Tony had personally funded his college education, and made sure he was well taken care of which is why Peter made it his mission to check on the billionaire  once a week to make sure he hadn’t drowned himself in alcohol. He took Pepper’s loss quite hard, blamed himself and refused to let anyone help him.  The professor had just dismissed the class which meant he had the rest of the afternoon free. “Peter, I have a distress call from Friday!” Karen said urgently –immediately grabbing the wall crawler’s attention. As soon as he had his suit on, Spiderman swung quickly on his webs towards Stark Tower. “Okay, Fri, what are the specs? Is he breathing? Is he consious?” The young adult questioned, fearing the worst. “Boss is unconscious. A few minutes ago I detected a strange energy signature in  the lab—something appears to have hit him full force in the chest. It was not any type of tech I am familiar with. It appears to be some sort of spell or enchantment. The man who attacked him, escaped before ColoneL Rhodes could apprehend him.” Peter relaxed a little at finding out Rhodey was with Tony but he pushed himself to swing faster, landing with a soft thud in Tony’s lab through a window Friday opened for him. “Hey, kid.” Rhodey said, sounding a little too hopeless for Peter’s liking. Peter took off his mask, not bothering to remind Rhodey that although he was the youngest Avenger at 22 years old, he most certainly was not a child any more. “Is he okay? What’s wrong?” Peter said as he rushed to his mentor’s side, picking him up carefully with him with full strength  and setting him on the couch. Peter couldn’t help but fuss over the man; his chocolate brown eyes darting warily from Tony to Rhodey.  An ink black mark slithered like a serpent over the genius’ skin causing him to shake and wince as if it burned. “Friday, what’s wrong with him?!” Peter asked the A.I as he reached for Tony’s hand wanting to lend the billionaire some comfort. At this Tony’s seemed to regain some consciousness and quickly flinched away from the younger man’s grasp. “N-no Pete, I-I can’t let it get you too.” Tony Stark had never looked as scared as he did at the thought of bringing harm to the young man. The billionaire drifted in and out of consciousness , writhing in pain. A loud knock made the young brunetter run a frustrated hand through his face. “Friday, please tell me you didn’t call them.” By them, he was referring to the other Avengers. More specifically Captain Righteous and his merry band of assholes. “I had to Peter, the team must be notified when a member is danger.” The Irish broge of the A.I admitted guiltily.  “Ugh, fine! But I want it on record that I didn’t consent to this, and if that jerk even touches my da-Tony(Peter corrected himself  as Rhodey grinned at him knowingly) there will be hell to pay.” The brunette said as his face tinted pink and he turned away coughing. ‘Nice save, Parker.’ He grimaced inwardly. The door opened and in walked Captain America, The Black Widow, Falcon and Wanda Maximoff—The Scarlet Witch...great. Steve looked uneasy as he stole a glance at Tony, receiving a dark glare from Peter as the young mad stood up and blocked the super soldier from getting closer. “Peter, I...”The soldier started but was cut off by an angry arachnid.  “Save it, Cap. Oh, and its Spiderman to you.” Peter said as he  put his mask back on for good measure, crossing his arms defiantly. “We don’t have time for this, Stark needs help.” Nat spoke up annoyed at the overprotective young man. “She’s right kid. You should let Wanda take a look at him--.”Sam was quickly cut off by both Rhodey and Spiderman. “Like hell, I’m gonna let this psycho near him!” Peter’s voice rang with venom in her direction as she fixed a cold stare his way, her hands glowing temporarily with chaos magic. “Peter, she’s just trying to help. Step out of the way.” The Captain demanded. “Or you’ll do what, Captain?” Peter said defiantly, standing straighter then ever and looking him dead in the eye. “You’re not the only enhanced one here, Rogers. I may be younger but chances are I’ll sense your move before you make it and we both know I’ve got more durability and strength by a long shot, serum be damned.” Spiderman said threateningly. 
 
“All right break it up, before I break you two.” The voice of reason, Banner chimed in. “One, no one is going to use magic on anyone who isn’t a willing participant , again(with a meaningful look thrown at the witch for added measure). Two, Wanda isn’t the only one who can help Tony. Actually, I think the man I’m thinking of is much more qualified for these types of scenarios, he is a physician and a sorcerer and this is kind of his thing.” Bruce said, matterafactly with a thoughtful look on his face. 
 
“Bruce, no you can’t put Tony’s life in the hands of the man who got us all dusted!”  Steve was outraged at this point not even bothering to hide it. “As opposed to putting it in the hands of a man who almost put a shield through his chest?” Wherever Bruce went Thor followed.  Steve Rogers looked like he had been slapped across the face with mijonir at Thor’s sudden appearance and swift judgement. “Thor?! What...I thought you were off world..” The soldier was frazzled, visbly tensing. “A friend called and I answered. Anthony Son of Stark will always have my protection.” The God said with a small smile directed at sick man on the couch. “We were trying to help him, Thor.” Steve said quietly.  “This is your problem Steven, always trying to take charge and control the situation even when it doesn’t require your leadership.” The blonde man said with a serious look on his face, crossing his arms and towering over the soldier. “I don’t trust him.” The Captain said quietly,  looking away from everyone reading the undertones of the God’s statement. “Stephen Strange has proven himself on more than one occasion, to always have the best interests of the world in mind. I think he’s more than capable of helping our friend. Given the Iron Man’s vast influence on the world I would think that he would want to help.” Thor replied nonchalantly. “I couldn’t agree more.” Peter said with a smile as he removed his mask and sidestepped the Captain to greet the Asgardian properly. “Hey, Thor welcome back!” The brunette said smiling brightly and greeting the Asgardian with a surprisingly bone crushing hug. The God’s mood elevated and a broader smile graced his aristocratic features. “That must’ve been some spider.” He said with a grin as he delivered a strong pat to the young man’s back, one that would’ve sent anyone else flying across the room. It was a game they liked to play like a brotherly wrestling match. Thor had a lot of respect for Peter Parker. The light of the Avenger’s, the heart of a hero who would give everything for the world, even his life. In some way’s the young man reminded him of Loki, before he was corrupted by the thirst for power and lust for revenge. His eyes fell and he put some distance between Spiderman and himself. 
 
A lot of people viewed Peter as a child, but Thor knew better than to make that mistake. The young man was very perceptive and intelligent, a worthy adversary not to be underestimated.  Peter caught that look, the look of a man who lost everything. If there had been someone who Thanos had rain in on, it was the God. His entire planet, people and family were gone. He was completely alone in the Universe, save for the Avengers and Peter’s heart ached for the blonde because in a sense he understood. Sure, he still had his aunt but he had dealt with loss before and this was on a whole other level. The God was fractured, broken almost beyond repair but he still chose to fight for a world he had no kin in and that was a noble but lonely existence. He often closed himself off. 
 
Tony had told him many a story about what a happy individual the God had been before he had everything, he held dear ripped from him, Peter hoped to one day see that again. Respecting the invisble boundaries the God had drawn. 
 
“So, I’m guessing Doctor Strange doesn’t use a cellphone.” Peter said awkwardly scratching his head. “You are correct, Peter.” Friday, jumped in. The brunette deadpanned.  “Guess I’ll just have to swing by his place then.” He said as everyone else rolled their eyes in amusement.  That was Peter’s super power. The ability to cut tension with a bad pun at just the right moment, Bruce was the first one to chuckle. Friday opened the window as if on cue. “I’ve sent Karen his coordinates.” Friday said as Spiderman leaped out the window and fired a web at a nearby building. “Let’s hope the Doc is in this dimension.” The brunette said to himself. 
 Stephen Strange was an anomaly. He refused to join the Avengers officially but fought alongside them repeatedly because “the fate of the world was at stake.” Peter suspected it was just because he enjoyed arguing with Tony. Nevertheless, it didn’t get boring watching them argue about the dumbest things and turn it into some outrageous petty contest.  The doctor kept to himself mostly. He was a very private man and seldom revealed anything about himself. The most they knew about him was that he was once a neurosurgeon who had survived a crippling car accident that left him unable to perform surgery and robbed him of controlled mobility in his hands. This was only because one day he had stumbled upon an open window in Tony’s computer that contained the article in question.  As Spiderman swung through New York towards Greenwich Village. Half hour into his mission a blood curling scream, snapped him out of his thoughts. It was a man’s scream. “Cuz I have high, high hopes for a living, shooting for the Stars when I couldn’t make a killing.” There was man dressed all in red, singing like a tweaked out fruit loop as he sliced and diced another man in half with brute force completely oblivious to his surroundings. Peter’s stomach turned and he was gonna be sick. He landed silently behind the masked lunatic. “You know, that’s murder.” Spiderman cleared his throat and stood straighter, preparing for a fight. Deadpool turned around quickly sheathing his Katanas  with expert ease and precision to address the new threat without giving away all the goodies. His eyes widened in surprise. “O.M.G its Spiderman!” The psychopath said excitedly holding the sides of his face in mock shock. Peter was not impressed and looked at the other man in disgust with as much emotion as his mask would allow.  “Hi, Spidey I’m Deadpool.” Peter looked at the bloodied outstretched hand with a raised eyebrow, Deadpool almost sounded bashful. 
 
Weird. Spiderman saw his opportunity and took it webbing the outstretched hand quickly against a brick wall in the alley, making fast work and completely plastering the red clad mad man all over it, rendering him  immobile or so he thought. “That’s rude! You’re not gonna buy me dinner first?” Deadpool asked suggestively, making Peter’s face grow red under his mask. “Stop saying stuff like that...” He said, looking away from the man for a split second which gave Deadpool enough time to break a few fingers and get to his katanas, who swiftly cut through the webbing in record time. “What the...” Spiderman was cut off by a loud bang and then pain. Lots of pain. Spiders weren’t bullet proof apparently.  He was mildly surprised when he didn’t land on the cold hard alley floor and two strong arms caught him before he fell. “Ah, shit  motherfucker.” Deadpool cursed as he shot the offending man in the head, bullseye. “Your healing factor, how good is it?” The mercenary questioned, all joking aside-truly concerned which irked Peter. “How do you know about that?” Spiderman said, gasping a little as he clutched at his abdomen.  “Peter, should I send a distress call to Friday. You’re losing a lot of blood.” Karen asked from the suit’s comm. “No, Karen. Just, I just need time.” Peter said forgetting about Deadpool for a second. “So, I guess I’m not the only one with voices in my head.” The sharpshooter pointed out, breaking Peter out of his thoughts as he struggled to breathe. He felt two hands come up against his face and gripped them with all his strength before they could lift his mask. He suddenly realized where he was and how this happened. Deadpool felt the force of the younger man’s strength and let out a small laugh. “You’re going to suffocate and that bullet needs to come out.” He explained with a frustrated sigh as he held the Spiderling up. 
 
“I don’t trust you and I wouldn’t even be in this mess if you hadn’t been murdering people for no reason, you psycho.” Spiderman grunted as he made a move to get up. 
 
“I wasn’t killing people for no reason. I’m a hired gun. I get paid to kill people. So technically you’re stopping me from doing my job. Those guys, they’re part of an underground child prostitution ring and I was hired to take the trash out. "Deadpool said matterafactly. Spiderman took in the new information and straightened up a little. “It's still wrong to kill. There’s better ways.” Peter said as he gasped in pain. “Roll up your mask, Spidey you need air.” Deadpool said seriously, reaching for his mask again. “How do I know you’re not just trying something funny?” The younger man said in response showing a little less resistance than before. “Because I have a mystery man kink, sue me.”The mercenary said with a grin making Peter sputter in response. “If I let you...only half way. My identity--.”  He started and was cut of by the merc. “Is your biggest treasure along with getting tied  up and having rough angry sex. Yada Yada.”  Deadpool rolled his eyes under his mask and reached for Spiderman’s mask again, surprised that the other man let him. He found the end of it as Peter coughed at that wildly inappropriate comment and rolled up the mask slowly stopping at the tip of his nose. It was an understatement to say that Peter felt exposed. A little more and this complete stranger would know who he was so he relaxed a little when the other man stopped and let his hands fall away from his face. “Of course, Spidey, would be a hottie with soft pouty lips.” The mercenary said softy smiling under his mask.  “WTF , man.” Peter said standing up quickly and wincing as he bled out.  Spiderman looked flustered and Deadpool liked pressing his buttons, irritating the younger man was a fun new hobby. “I don’t have time for this. I have somewhere to be.” Peter said making to shoot up a web and get away from there and then he doubled over and was caught again by the lunatic. “I have a ride. It's not the Batmobile. I know wrong universe but who cares we could be stuck in some badly written fanfiction by a 30 something disgruntled retail worker, who knows. All I know is that I’m not letting you swing away anywhere until we get that bullet out.” The older man said without a hint of humor getting a faraway look on his face as if he believed his own delusions. Deadpool called the most reliable cabbie, Dopinder and the man rounded the corner and pulled up to greet them. This is how Spiderman ended up in the back of a cab bleeding out and  regretting life altogether while Deadpool fuzzed over him in the back seat. Well, at least he was on his way to see a doctor. Deadpool offered to take the bullet out himself but Peter told him that he knew someone who could patch him up professionally so they headed towards the Sanctum, by the time they arrived Deadpool was practically carrying Spiderman’s pale form when a man in a blue tunic greeted them as the doors swung open. “Peter?!” Doctor Strange said as he rushed over to the young man.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

-Past Events-

This is not a test or an SOS

I’m no longer on a quest

To get girls undressed

I search through their hearts

And no treasure I found

I’m so lucky this one lets dogs hang around...

The music trailed off as the red head continued her assault on the punching bag.Remembering the night she wore that ridiculous blue dress, the night she kissed Tony. She aimed another punch and kick as he heart pounded in her chest and her control diminished. The last jab she delivered practically singed the bag and the force of the blow broke the chain that held it. Pepper sunk to her knees as tears rolled down her face freely. She sat against the gym wall, knees pulled up to her chest as grief overtook her.“Asshole...”She gasped between sobs.“Miss, Potts?”The Black Widow really lived up to her name; the world class spy could sneak up on anyone.Unbeknowest to Pepper the blonde Russian had been observing her for a while.Truth be told, Nat was intrigued and a little intimidated by Virginia Pepper Potts. Not that she would ever admit it, but the woman had to be tough, to put up with such an arrogant, difficult man..Stark. Natasha crouched down and looked at the red head, concern in her eyes.At this the CEO of Stark industries stood up rather quickly and composed herself.“I’m fine.” Pepper said, willing herself to believe it. Reminding herself that Natasha Romanoff couldn’t be trusted. Give her an inch and she would take a mile.“You could use some rest. Your hands...”Nat trailed off looking at what once where finely manicured fingers. Peppers hands had become callous, hard and bruised. The war had started taking a toll on her.Ever since Rescue had become team leader for the Avengers; she had not stopped not even when Scott Lang, had emerged from the quantum realm giving them a real opportunity to beat Thanos.The woman trained relentlessly with no regard for her own safety.Nat sighed as she scratched her head and stood up, looking away from the other woman.“Is Stark really worth all this?” The spy gestured.Pepper tensed and she looked up from her musings.“He’s worth this and more. Anthony Stark deserves to be saved, to be loved..” Pepper stated without hesitation.“Hm.” The blonde spy replied visibly annoyed.“You’re not as good a spy as you think you are, Romanoff.” The red head concluded.“Is that so? "The Black Widow responded with a smirk.“As the CEO of Stark Industries I had to deal with the press on numerous occasions. Don’t think that just because I wore a pant suit to work I don’t know when I’m being interrogated.” Pepper nonchalantly leaned in and whispered in her ear.

Coming for your heart like a cannibal...

Natasha fought the urge to flinch at that and she swallowed hard. She took a moment to gather her wits.Pepper made her nervous.The Black Widow cleared her throat and looked at the red head defiantly.“You’re a good person Virginia. I fail to grasp what you see in him.” That was probably the most honest statement that had ever come from the spy's lips.“He was negotiating your pardon before Thanos made an appearance.” Pepper said, a look of disappointment on her face.Natasha gasped as the copper haired woman walked away.“Wait! You can’t just say that and walk away.” The spy called out in frustration as she grabbed the other woman’s hand and spun her around to face her.The red head pulled her hand away from the other woman’s as though she had been burned.“Why not?! You do it, you switch teams all the time!” Pepper said in cold indifference.At that, Natasha looked as though she had been struck.The other woman glared at her one last time and continued to leave.The spy watched as Pepper left, taking in the CEO’s stately posture and confidence. Something within the Russian stirred.Pepper was a little taller than her, lithe and agile in her strides towards the exit. It’d been a long time since an individual captured her attention. Pepper had proven herself to be somewhat of an intellectual rival.Natasha vowed silently to gather more intel.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Tony’s A.I assured 
everyone  that
 she would notify them if there were any urgent changes in the genius’ condition.

So, Thor naturally retreated to his room. A man without a planet, but somehow Tony still managed to make him feel welcome. He still remembered what Jane had taught him about Midgardian technology; it was a little primitive compared to Asgardian tech but it proved useful regardless.

There was a clear screen where a TV once rested.

“Um.” The God said silently, unfamiliar of how to operate this equipment.

“Point Break, room access granted. Thor 
Odinson
, how may I help you today?” Friday inquired in a cheerful tone.

“I’d like to listen to music.” Staring up at the 
ceiling  silently
 and respectfully.

“Care to be more specific, Mr. 
Odinson
?” The woman’s voice pressed.

Thor sighed as he made for the bed and ran a tired hand through his messy blond hair.

“Jane’s 
playlist.”His
 voice was so low, he was surprised Friday heard him.

Thor kicked off his boots and allowed himself to relax a little as the music faded into his 
senses.His
 electric blue eyes softened, well at least the one that hadn’t been ripped from his skull.

He laughed bitterly at that thought.

“They could never tear us apart.”

A silent 
tear  skated
 down his face.

“I promise the sun will shine on us again,

brother.”

Loki’s
 regretful green eyes surged into his soul.

“Brother, you 
imbecile.”The
 Asgardian whispered 
wistfully
 and swallowed hard as his heart caught in his throat.

He was the only one left.

Everyone else was killed by 
Thanos
 and 
Ragnarok
 had decimated 
Asgard
.
 
Steve had been pacing through Stark Tower waiting for news on Tony.There was soft music coming from one of the rooms not far from Tony’s lab. The soldier’s curiosity got the best of him and he stepped closer to the slightly opened door--surprised as the sound of the most breathtakingly beautiful voice  he’d ever heard invaded his senses.  
The blond Asgardian lay there 
pensively ,
 singing and staring out the 
window.Steve
 was stunned to witness the man in such disrepair. He had the most solemn expression on his face as silent tears rolled down his 
cheeks  and
 a lonely Saxophone blared loudly in the distance. Steve breathe
d
 in the sight and gradually realized he was intruding on a very private moment.

The soft, soulful song rattled his bones and made his stomach turn in a very unfamiliar way.

The song ended and the blond man dried his eyes.

Steve stepped away from the door without alerting the other man.

He began to think about how vulnerable and alone the God 
looked.He
 was powerful but those tears resonated with boundless 
pain.Truth
 be told he had never thought of Thor 
Odinson
 as an emotionally complex man; he was more of an action man, ask 
questions
 later kind of guy.

The more Steve thought, he remembered.

Bruce mentioned something to him about what happened during his two year 
disappearance
  from Earth. 
Ragnarok
..
Asgard
 was completely obliterated.  Loki was killed by the Mad Titan not long after –that along with the Asgardians in the ship. Steve gasped.

A man 
without
 a planet.

Steve couldn’t even begin to think of how painful that existence must be. Suddenly the Captain felt fresh guilt wash over 
him ;
 he couldn’t lead the team because he was a bad leader and an even worse friend.

He didn’t even know how Thor had lost an eye all he heard from Rocket was that the God had fought his sister, but if she was anything like Loki, he could grasp the severity of that fight.

***4 Months

Ago

***

When Bucky finally beat the truth out of

Steve

he was too exhausted to deny it. He had

known  the

Winter Soldier killed Tony’s parents and didn’t have the grace to dignify Tony with any semblance of the truth. He had been a coward. He still was.

“Steve, I’m going back under until they can figure out how to take all of Hydra out of me, I’m a liability.” He had had another outburst and almost killed Hope on a mission with the New Avengers. The Winter Soldier had damaged The Wasp’ suit so badly and nearly choked her to death.  He put her in a coma and Scott had gone a rampage as Giant Man. After Carol had managed to

diffuse the situation it was agreed that James would undergo more

cryo-sleep

until they were able to find the root of Hydra’s programming and remove it completely.

“You need to fix this Stevie, please.” The long

dark haired

brunette said, regret and guilt rocking his core.

“It wasn’t your fault, Buck.” Steve pleaded, willing the haunted soldier to look at him.

“I killed his parents, Stevie.” The other man blinked and tears flowed freely from his dark obsidian eyes.

“And the looks you give

him ,

I’ll never have that. I missed it all.” At this James wiped his face on his grey sleeve and walk over to him, his hands finding either side of his face and pressing his lip’s gently against the Captain’s, and running a hand down his spine in a caring manner.

“I want all of you, not just some of you,

Steven.”At

that  the topic dawned on him and his face got red and he looked away quickly from the other man. He had subconsciously wanted this but couldn’t understand it.

He had been raised in a vastly different era. Things like this weren’t openly discussed or acted on. He felt

it  and

it felt right . He had also had the idea before to maybe someday share this same feeling with Bucky, until he met Tony that is.

Steve thought he hid that part of himself very well but he wore it on his sleeve for all to see. Any time Iron Man showed up so did Captain America’s knight in

shining

armor complex which annoyed Tony to no end because he didn’t need saving and apologies are important.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, James.” Steve said, unable to help himself. Straightening up his stance and putting some distance between himself and his friend.

“The

way

you look at him whenever he enters the room, I wish you looked at me like that.” Bucky said with a sad smile.

Steve Rogers suddenly wished the ground would open and swallow him up.

He didn’t want to have this conversation.

“I’m not doing this.” The Captain made to leave.

“Oh, you are Steven Grant Rogers. You need to deal with this because

its

killing the Avengers." James said in all seriousness.

“This thing where we all just answer the call; show up, fight and go home is not working." Bucky said running a frustrated hand through his shoulder length dark brown hair.

“Buck

I..he

won’t talk to me, he won’t even look at me.” Steve finally crumbled and his insanely blue eyes watered and overflowed with regret.

“He loved you Stevie, that look on his face—you broke his

heart.”James

said as he reached for the other man’s wrist.

“He doesn’t like men.” The Captain said biting the inside of his cheek in anxiety.

“You should read more, Steve. Although for most of my life as a soldier I operated under Hydra’s brainwashing. I also got to learn more about my marks. This is what made The Winter Soldier an expert marksman and the perfect killer. Tony Stark, Anthony is an equal opportunity

player.”Bucky

ended his short speech with a suggestive smirk aimed at the Captain.

Steve thought back to almost every interaction he had had with Iron Man and he gasped. The innuendos, the staring contests, the competitions they had with each other was not very well masked flirting.

“You’re too innocent Stevie. You miss a

lot.”Bucky

said hugging him and resting his face against the other man’s stubble.

“I can’t just tell him, B.” Steve said sounding more scared than he ever had before.

***

James had given him some real advice and he had been sitting on it for months unable to come up with the words and being avoided by Tony like the plague. It was also annoying when that pompous Doctor Strange would show up, he’d spend all his time arguing with the arrogant jerk he barely spared him a glance. Steve promised himself however that he wasn’t going to let his jealousy get the best of him if Mr. PHD could help Tony with that 
enchantment
 he wasn’t going to stop him because Tony mattered more than his petty rivalry with the doctor.  However, he would still keep 
on
 
eye
 on Strange.

He didn’t trust him around Tony.

The man wasn’t unattractive and he was very strong as well. The others tended to make parallels between the two men but he ignored them. Tony wasn’t anything like Strange, Tony’s ego was often overshadowed by his heart something Steve thought

Stephen

was incapable of.

A portal opened and out walked a familiar red cloak followed closely by Spiderman and an unknown man in red.

Speak of the devil and he will come.

Stephen’s grey eyes landed on the Captains and he crossed his arms.

“I heard Tony got into some trouble.” The taller man said with a ridiculous air of superiority.

“Hi, Spangles!” Deadpool yelled cheerfully from behind Spiderman 
as  the
 younger man huffed in frustration.

“Who are you?” Captain America asked narrowing his eyes at the man and his 
Katannas
.

“
He’s  none
 of your business, Rogers.” The Doctor said as we walked towards Tony’s lab without an invitation in typical Strange fashion.

“Hey, you can’t go in there. You’re not an Avenger.” Steve said as he stalked after the taller man.

“Hello, Friday. May I enter Tony’s workshop?” The Sorcerer said with a cocky smile aimed at the Captain as the doors flew open.

“Tower 
Clerance
 class 5 Grants you access to any floor in Stark 
Tower,  Doctor
.” Friday said almost with a grin. Sometimes the 
A.I  had
 the ability to sound near human, it was spooky.

“Thank you, Friday.” The Doctor said as he smiled and entered the room immediately rushing to the 
billionaires
 side. Looking for all the world 
like  the
  prince in Snow White. 
Dashing ,
 
mysterious
 and  a thorn in 
Steve’s
 side.

“This is worse than a Telenovela on Telemundo.” Deadpool 
said  as
 he stood next to  Spiderman.

“You have no idea.” Spiderman rolled his eyes.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

CH 7: California Friends

The Avengers had received a transmission not long after Scott revealed what he knew about the quantum realm.

“Hello, my name is Carol, Carol Danvers—Director Fury sent out a distress signal my way. I’ll be landing on Earth at the Golden Gate bridge, at noon 
approximately
.” The team was unable to send back a message as the transmission was cut short.

“What do you think it means?” Bruce asked the group.

“It could be a trap.” Steve said as he paced in the lab.

“But she knows, Fury.” Rescue interjected.

The Avengers had been running simulations for weeks with a magnetic power box Bruce and 
Shuri
 had built 
combing
 Stark, 
Wakandan
 and Pym tech with Scott’s help.

The  power
 box helped Rescue gain more momentum and even achieve, extended space flight without 
comm
 failure.

The woman/
alien  seemed
 to want to make an entrance. The snap caused mass panic and whoever was left refrained from being in public out of fear, save for the remaining Avengers and heroes; patrolling the streets and making sure other vagrants didn’t see this 
as
 a nefarious opportunity.

Pepper orchestrated the meeting.

The remaining Avengers and sole guardian took off to California, the jet landed on the vacant bridge and the team slowly exited 5 minutes before noon, ready for anything.

As the clock struck noon; a bright blue light enveloped the sky above and an unfamiliar war craft appeared.
 
Will you come a little closer 
I've got something to show ya 
Look at my friend in California 
She really likes the freckles on my face 
Rescue flew swiftly into the air, not sparing a beat.

“Stand down, we are the Avengers and you need to identify yourself before we deem you a threat to international security.” Pepper readied her 
repulsion
 alert and scanning for any signs of a potential threat.

A door in the ship opened and out hopped a beautiful 
woman with  
airy blonde hair, she was suspended 
mid air
 with a pensive look on her face.

The woman in question was clad in a black and gold flight suit.

“Boss I’m getting off the charts energy reading from the new arrival, stay on your guard.” Friday suggested warily.

“Got it.” Rescue replied as she assumed a defensive stance.

“That won’t work on me miss.” The blonde woman answered with a devilish grin that made Pepper nervous.

Carol was enhanced for sure, she hovered and flew through the air with ease, hoisted by an unknown golden energy.

“Who are you?” Pepper asked trying to confirm her suspicions.

“I’m Major Carol Danvers of the United States 
air force
 on Earth. Other planets know me as Captain Marvel.” The blonde said as she extended a 
hand
 out for the Iron Maiden to shake.

At that point, Thor decided to intervene. The God flew into the air alongside Rescue with the help of Stormbreaker.

“Are you 
Kree
?” The God of Thunder asked the other woman tentatively, still keeping his distance.

“Once, not any more.” The woman said with a faraway look on her face, her eyes shined briefly with a powerful golden light as she looked down and away.

“Although it would be fun to see this is all through, I suggest we land before your friends freak out.” Thor blinked 
quickly,
 the woman talked like a Midgardian.

“Fine, but when we get down, do so slowly and peacefully.” Pepper 
suggested  as
 she pointed her boot jets down 
ward
 w
h
ere the other Avengers  and Rocket awaited her call.

“Avengers, assemble for a peaceful meeting—Thor and I are headed down with Carol.” Some of them gasped in surprise as Thor and Rescue made their way down with the newcomer.

Captain America’s eyes widened.

The woman was beautiful; a born soldier. She stood at ease and nodded her head towards them never taking her eyes off Rescue.

“Hi, I’m Carol. More widely known as Captain Marvel in the extended universe.” The blonde woman said with a proud smile as she greeted all of them.

Natasha was visibly perturbed.

“How do we know you’re not the enemy?” The Black Widow said emphasizing her point by taking a dangerous step closer to the pilot.

“Because, I promised Fury I’d always be here when he needed me.” Carol answered defiantly as Natasha narrowed her eyes at her.

“Stand down, 
Widow
.” The spy glared at Rescue
,   
(who hadn’t lowered her helmet yet) incredulously.

“Don’t tell me you trust 
her,
 she hasn’t even seen your face.” The Russian protested defensively.

The red head didn’t waste any time and took her helmet off quickly, letting her copper hair rain over her shoulders.

“Happy now?” Pepper rolled her eyes at Nat, annoyed.

“God, you’re beautiful.” Carol said as she pulled Peppers gloved hand 
towards her gently   
and kissed it, which made Natasha want to eat the other woman alive like an actual spider.
 
Won't you come and hold my hand now 
I think that you might wanna 
Do you ever listen to Madonna? 
Yeah I really like the freckle on her face 
“What the hell is happening?!”  Rocket asked loudly looking confused and disturbed.

The other men were just as befuddled.

Rhodey
 scratched his head and was the first to speak, lowering the helmet in the War Machine armor as well.

“Um, yes hello we have pending Mad Titan business on our hands.” The colonel said as he gestured around them all.

Everyone seemed to sober up after that statement.

“Nick Fury is my friend, he helped me find myself the first time I came back to Earth.” The blond warrior replied and turned to face 
Rhodey
, her eyes softening a little.

“Well, we have a plan...” Scott trailed off as he tinkered with the Ant Man suit and brought up a hologram.

“Before we go further, I need to know where Fury is.” Carol asked, as 
concern
 marred her usually stoic features.

“Miss Danvers, Nick Fury is 
dead  along
 with  the  inhabitants of half the universe. That distress signal you received was sent a few moments before the decimation.”

“What?!” Carol’s eyes widened as she searched Peppers face for a lie. Captain Marvel’s fist glowed with a dangerous light for second and then she ran a frustrated gloved hand through her golden locks.

“Help us, help us get them back.” Pepper pleaded as her hand found the other woman’s.

“I told that idiot to call me if it ever got bad.” Carol said looking annoyed.

“Earlier you said that you had affiliation with the 
Kree
 Force...” The God stepped forward to  inquire.

“I’m human, if that’s what you’re asking, Mr.?” She said standing a little taller, the man in front of her made her a little uneasy. He had the ability to fly and she could’ve sworn she saw some form of Electricity envelope him earlier.

“Thor, son of Odin. I’ve never seen a Midgardian do that without the aid of technology or even some sort of 
armor,  or
 relic.” Thor said with a thoughtful look on his face. The woman’s eyes widened with realization and she gasped. This must be one of the last remaining God’s of that doomed planet; Asgard.

“I’m special. I was working for the U.S government on a covert project when a powerful engine blew up and I absorbed the full blast of the explosion. I lost all my memories and Nick Fury helped me remember. I can absorb and redirect energy attacks, I can fly and I can lift things that would crush a normal human being under the weight.” She said with a sad smil
e
, recalling the last time she had seen the man.

“We need all the help we can get Miss Danvers.” A man with curly salt and pepper hair said quietly as he walked out of the jet.

“Who are all of you?!” She asked a little shocked from all the new information.

“We’re what’s left of the Avengers ma’am.” Captain America said in resignation.

As a calmer Bruce Banner explained the situation in great detail to Carol, Natasha took that opportunity to go talk some sense to the red head bane of her existence; Virginia Pepper Potts.

“You can’t just add someone new to the roster without proper approval, you know?” The spy said annoyed looking at the distracted redhead who annoyingly kept glancing over at the new arrival.

“You are the last person who should be lecturing me on Avenger decorum, Miss Romanoff.” Pepper said with a raised eyebrow and an amused grin on her face.

“This isn’t a game, Virginia. People’s lives are at stake.” Natasha said turning the red head to look at her.

“Which is why we need her help. I want to get them all back too if it’s the last thing I ever do. Besides we need more heavy hitters and it would be interesting to see how she fares against the Hulk.” Pepper said, sounding more hopeful than she had in a while.

Natasha didn’t trust Carol Danvers but she trusted Pepper and so 
far
 all her calculations had panned out and the woman really knew what she was doing, great at strategy and an exemplary leader.

The spy coughed and looked away. This was the third time she had caught herself thinking deeper into her relationship with the CEO.

Dangerous thoughts Romanoff.

The spy told herself she was just being cautious but 
really
 she found Carol to be a little intimidating. Something about the other 
woman  made
 her skin crawl and it truly irked her that, she hadn’t been on Earth ten minutes and already she was an Avenger, the urge to roll her eyes was very strong.
 
If I think that you might like me 
I might start getting lonely 
When I think about how you can't hold me 
Do you like the freckles on my face 
From the looks of it  she  wasn’t the only one  who was a little skeptic.

Steve had that same look on his face but raised an eyebrow as he caught Natasha looking at Pepper instead of the new comer.

The look of someone used to watching their own back, the look of someone who was very adept at reading body language and quite frankly the only man who could almost 
rival  her
 inquisitive skills.

“Does she know?” Steve asked quietly as he went to stand next to the Russian woman.

“Hn.” She replied, tensing just slightly.

“You’re reading too much into things, Steve.” The soldier smiled lightly and looked at her.

“You’re looking at her the same way I look at...” He stopped himself at that as guilt wrenched in his heart with brute force. Tony was somewhere trapped in space, with limited supplies and no communication. Earth had lost her best defender.  He didn’t want it to end this way. His call, the call they received from the Iron Man armor a few days ago had reinvigorated their efforts. Tony had sounded weak and scared a far cry from his usual mask of arrogance. The genius was still alive but he wouldn’t last much longer. Steve made a fist.

“We have to get him back.” He said closing his eyes and trying his best not to let tears fall.

“When we do you need to talk with Tony, Steve. You need to fix 
this,
 we need everyone to win. This is not like before, we only get one shot and if we miss, we lose everything.” She said sneaking another look at the red head before turning a serious face to the soldier.

“Take your own advice, Romanoff.” He said nudging her shoulder and motioning towards Pepper as the others talked amongst themselves.
 
I think I love you but then I think 
No way! 
I gotta go but I wanna stay 
Just stay! 
I guess I'll save it for another day, well OK? 
I think I love you but then I think 
No way! 
I gotta go but I wanna stay 
Just stay! 
I guess… 
“That’s not an option for me, Steve.” The spy said, resolutely. The woman detested any situation where she wasn’t in control. Notoriously dominating and completely terrified of intimacy, not sex. Sex was a 
weapon,
 intimacy made her feel exposed. Pepper was different, she wore her 
emotions
 on her sleeve but didn’t let them suffocate her. Pepper was better at love 
than  Natasha
. She was in love with a fool but her feelings were raw and real, not something superficial. The idea of Tony coming back to fight with them 
was  a
 great one, the idea of Tony marrying the CEO upon his return was not.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Stephen went straight into doctor mode as he rushed to Tony’s side; immediately going to check the other man’s temperature before a strong tan arm shot up to stop him. “Stark, I need to check for fever...your vitals...” The doctor trailed off lowering his hand. “No can do Doc, I may be contagious.” Tony said coughing as blood poured freely from his nose and he jolted in pain. Even on his death bed the man was a stubborn ass. Stephen rolled his eyes and proceeded to examine Tony anyway. “Don’t I can’t have anyone get hurt.” The genius was in and out of delirium, twisting and turning painfully as the thorny black mark spread through his arms scalding his skin. The sorcerers eyes grew wide with sudden realization as he recognized the curse plaguing the billionaire. Doctor Strange stood up abruptly to face the others. “Did anyone touch him? Close skin contact, after he was cursed?” The sorcerer looked seriously at everyone in the room. “Cursed?! What do you mean cursed?” The Captain was the first to speak. Stephen sighed in annoyance and began the loathsome task of explaining the intricacies of magic to bonehead super soldiers. “I mean another “wizard” as Stark so poignantly puts it every time I have  to save his ass, whammed him with some powerful magic from the dark dimension. This particular enchantment is meant to feed on his soul. He is currently stuck between this reality and some of the darkest ones his mind can conjure. And knowing Stark it won’t be long until it completely consumes his soul and kills him.” The doctor ended his  statement sharply. “I like that guy he has cool magic tricks and looks like Sherlock.” Deadpool said brightly, reminding everyone in Tony’s workshop of his exuberant presence. “Who the hell are you?” Natasha said sizing up the newcomer. “Oh, I’m sorry guys that’s Deadpool.” Spiderman said sounding a little more bashful than usual. “Wade Wilson..the mercenary?!” The spy said quietly—now completely on alert, reaching for her gun.  Wade Wilson. I’ll just save that for later.   Peter thought as he made to defend  Deadpool from whatever attack the Russian was planning. “You brought a mercenary to Stark Tower?!” Steve Rogers whirled around to face Peter incredulously.  “First off, way to give away my secret identity  Charlie’s  Angels   however, I think you got bigger fish to fry—Bosley over there doesn’t look so good.”Deadpool said as he gestured towards the ailing man on the couch. “Fuck you, did you just call me Bosley? You got some explaining to do, kid.” Tony coughed out offended. Stephen  smirked. “Um, I’m sorry Mr. Stark but he saved my life...” Spidey said as he scratched his head and looked over at the genius apologetically. Tony’s whiskey brown eyes softened at that. “Fine, he can stay,” The billionaire conceded. “Thanks  Dad .” Deadpool said grinning as Peter stumbled and choked at the audacity. “Nice try but you’ll have more luck getting a broken limb than being my son in law.” Tony said cockily directing a smirk at Spiderman. “Hey, not cool...” Peter said feeling attacked and finally taking his mask off to address his mentor. A loud whistle was heard through the room. Sam Wilson face-palmed hard. “Stephen please help him.” Peter looked at him with those pleading doe eyes of his. The doctor cracked just a smidge and Tony wondered how Peter and the Doctor ended up on first name basis, a little hurt that Peter wasn’t as comfortable with him. “Peter, its not up to me. I can take the curse but the magic I’m about to use is dangerous and I’m not one to use my power on someone without consent. Stark has to be on board and I would still be at the mercy of whatever reality he finds himself reliving.” The Doctor said placing a gentle gloved hand on the younger man’s shoulder. I have to block out thoughts of you so I don't lose my head  They're crawling like a cockroach leaving babies in my bed  Dropping little reels of tape to remind me that I'm alone  Playing movies in my head that make a porno feel like home “So do it.” Steve Rogers said immediately, shocking no one. “Excuse you... I’m right here.” The genius gestured, irritated. “It’s Stark’s choice not yours Mr. Rogers.” Stephen said standing straighter and narrowing his grey eyes at the other man. “Its Captain Rogers.” Steve said defiantly. “I’m not in the army and I’m not an Avenger.” The sorcerer replied smugly. “Okay, Mister Strange but we are talking about Tony’s life here..” He was then swiftly cut off by Doctor Strange. “It’s Doctor actually, I’m here as a doctor and master of the mystic arts second and it is precisely because its his life on the line and very powerful magic why he deserves a choice.”The doctor stated in defense of patient body autonomy. There's a burning in my pride,  A nervous bleeding in my brain  An ounce of peace is all I want for you  Will you never call again? “If I agree to do this I need to know just how invading this magic is. I had run ins with bad mojo before, Doc.”Tony said quietly, stunning everyone. “I would have to speed up the progression of the curse while simultaneously pulling your soul from hell, if the pain from burning doesn’t kill you, the cardiac arrest just might. I won’t fair any better, worse if my soul is caught by a reaper in that reality. I’ll be able to see what you see and once I start I’ll have to finish.” The sorcerer explained apprehensively. “I-I’ll do it.”Tony said as he looked at Peter and struggled a little bit to sit up. “I need a few things before we start and everyone else is going to have to wait outside, except for Peter, Peter can stay. Also, one moment please.” And at that the sorcerer opened a portal into Metro General. Stephen could be heard arguing with a female voice as he stepped back through the portal with a brunette woman in blue scrubs. “This is Doctor Christine Palmer, regular doctor non-magic type, still extraordinary when it comes to saving lives. Christine, these are the Avengers and that’s Anthony Stark.” Stephen finished with a professional air. “Stephen Vincent Strange, you'll not have me resuscitate you again over some otherworldly mission. I have other patients to attend to, ones who don’t constantly put themselves in danger because of “the fate of the universe.” Christine stuck an accusatory demanding finger in the other doctor’s chest. “Your middle name is Vincent?!” Tony and Peter chorused, snapping Christine out of her tirade. “Its what it says on my birth certificate.” Stephen said matterafactly as Tony and him exchanged a small look. “Oh, you’re Tony Stark; ‘the stubborn ass’ he never stops bitching about.” Christine said with an evil smile directed at Stephen who quickly pretended to lose his hearing. “I like her,  Vincent .” Tony said with a smirk aimed tauntingly at the doctor. “It’s Doctor,  Anthony .”The sorcerer said as the cloak billowed behind him in indignation. And will you never say that you love me  Just to put it in my face?  And will you never try to reach me?  It is I that wanted space “Nice guess, dick.”  The genius snapped back. “Beer wizard!” Thor exclaimed cheerfully as he entered the room and patted the sorcerer on the back. “Okay, too many people. Nice to see you again Mr. Odin-son.” Stephen said acknowledging the God with a small smile before addressing the problem at hand. “Right, everyone else scadattle; I need the wizard, Dr. Palmer and the kid to stay. Friday please make sure Mr. Wilson doesn’t get into any trouble while he waits, if he chooses to wait.” Tony cleared the room at Steve’s protests and Deadpool cheered gaining a quizzical look from the God of Thunder. “And who are you masked man in red?” Thor asked the other man curiously on the way out. “Oh, hey big guy, I’m what you would call a business man.”Wade said smiling under his mask. “He’s a murderer,  Thor.”Steve said looking angry and frustrated as he paced outside Tony’s workshop. “Jeeze what crawled up you ass and laid eggs, Spangles?” Wade said masking his annoyance with humor. “What tight abs over there means is; I kill people for money, I used to kill everyone. I’m doing my twelve steps at Lady Margaret's.” Deadpool explained taking a step back and expecting swift backlash from the God. What he got left the usually mouthy merc, speechless, Thor simply patted him on the back and smiled brightly at the other man. “That’s a commendable feat, we must always try to do better, and what’s your name my friend? I heard Peter say you saved his life.” The blonde God smiled kindly, welcoming the stranger. “Mu name is Wade Wilson but people know me as Deadpool.” Wade said, striking a pose. “Is that why you’re wearing all red?” The blonde inquired, intrigued. “Its so the bad guys don’t see me bleed.” Wade explained earnestly. “He’s got a healing factor, Thor.” Steve rolled his eyes, exasperated. “Right you are ‘oh Captain my Captain’ but its better than yours and Spideys and faster than Wolverine’s. Deadpool shot back pleased at the  wide eyed look he received from the soldier. “You have some kind of invulnerability?” The God questioned looking stunned. “I have witnesses who say they saw the Juggernaut rip me in half. I’ve inhaled enough cocaine to kill all of skid row and blew myself up to no avail. With a mug like this, who wouldn’t want to?” The mercenary quickly pulled his mask up to emphasize his point, kind of like ripping off a band aid. Natasha and some of the others who had tuned into the conversation gasped. “I know right, its like a nut sack with teeth.” Wade said shifting uncomfortably. “How?” Natasha asked, finally composing herself, the man looked like a burn victim. “By mutating cancer cells...” Wade said sadly. “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Its what’s in our souls that matters I think,” Thor said smiling sincerely and putting an arm around the other man in a half hug. In a sick way I want to thank you  For holding my head up late at night  While I was busy waging wars on myself,  You were trying to stop the fight  You never doubted my warped opinions  On things like suicidal hate  You made me compliment myself  When it was way too hard to take The mercenary was relieved to notice that Peter had been too engrossed in the deep discussion with Tony Stark and the Sorcerer to notice his unmasking and so he quickly put the mask back on, feeling a little better instantly. Inside the lab Tony gaped at Stephen and Peter like they had grown two heads. “Kid, care to explain why the kind doctor requires your assistance?” Tony looked at the younger man expectantly. “Um..uh.” Peter looked nervously between the two older men. “Spill it, Pete.” Tony pressed the friendly arachnid. “Well, you see Stephen—he offered to take me to Kamar Taj and teach me some cool martial arts and I got good, like real good. I’m sorry.” The younger man  took the opportunity to reveal the  sling ring on his  hand as he opened up a unique looking portal and perched himself on top of the couch next to the billionaire with lighting speed. The silver light that imitated the look of a spider’s web  faded as the portal closed.  “What?!” Tony looked both impressed and annoyed at being kept in the dark. “He’s fast Stark, he’ll be able to pull us through when I’ve done away with the curse.” The doctor insisted avoiding eye contact with the billionaire and choosing to pick off invisible lint from his cloak. “Science is better. I’m hurt Peter. It’s the cape isn’t it?” Tony said with a hint of humor as he wiped blood from his mouth. “Its a relic; The Cloak of Levitation, douche bag.” The doctor said as the cloak fluttered roughly in indignation. “Are you two done with the pissing contest, yet?” Christine interrupted as she motioned towards the two beds adjacent to each other and the defibrillator pads accompanying them. She was able to pull all the equipment they would need through the portal and then some. “Okay, boss everything is properly connected to Stark tech. All systems go!” Friday gave the green light, still managing to sound worried about her creator. Tony stumbled as he made to get up and was caught by Peter. Together they walked over to the bed. “We’ll talk about this later, Pete.” Tony said looking a little disappointed. Its like Peter didn’t trust him. “He’s not the asshole you think he is.” Peter said in defense of the sorcerer. “Later Pete, Tony shushed him. “Lets get this show on the road, magic man.” The genius said as he looked over and saw the other man tediously undoing the many belts on his robes and sit up shirtless whilst Doctor Palmer attached the electrodes to monitor his vitals and oxygen. The man had well defined broad shoulders, although gravely scarred from past battles. He was built for martial arts, slender but toned from years of training. “The gloves too, Stephen.” Doctor Palmer instructed, receiving a grunt in response. The sorcerer surprisingly obliged after a few seconds. Tony glanced over to the other man and caught a glimpse of his badly scarred shaking fingers before the Doctor hid them away quickly. “So, we doing this Strange?” Tony asked hesitantly. “I need you to understand the severity of what we are about to do.” Stephen said , his eyes darkening with countless possibilities. “I’m aware.” Tony replied tentatively. “By the powers of the Vishanti...” Stephen began as he weaved an invisible thread in mid air and his body went limp. At that very moment Tony felt a sharp searing pain, flow through his spine, blacking out. He woke up to Steve Rogers ramming Howard Stark’s shield through his neck. 
So I'll drive so fucking far away

That I never cross your mind

And do whatever it takes in your heart

To leave me behind 
Tony knew he was going to die. It was over.  “Fight it Anthony,” An unfamiliar rough voice suggested.   “Just a guy in a suit,” Tony murmured in response to the voice.   Stephen watched in anger, fear and awe as Anthony Edward Stark was pummeled to death by Captain America with brute and  unrelenting force. The doctor felt every blow, emotional and physical, saw the motivation behind the senseless attack and  understood it the way Tony only could and it hurt. It was a pain unlike the sorcerer had ever felt before. It  coarsed  through his bones and shattered  all  hope .   The world didn’t deserve Tony Stark.   “Tony, Peter think about Peter. He needs you.” Stephen panted out as he manipulated his astral form to hover over the dying man.   “Whatever he did to me, does not amount to the damage I’ve done to the world.” Tony coughed out, resolute in his fate.   “Peter, NOW!” Doctor Strange shouted, desperately hoping the young spider apprentice would hear him.   “I’m trying Stephen, but you’ve got company.” Spiderman said as he saw a dangerous cloud of smoke gather around the genius’ still form, pulling him into a pool of blood  made of forgotten souls and locked away entities.    “Tony listen to me. It never has to be like this. Listen to my  voice.”Stephen  implored as both him and the cloak held the man’s soul just above bad water.   Suddenly the scenery changed and Tony  gripped  Stephens  hand quite literally holding on for dear life. Desperately trying to keep his head above the water, it was getting harder to breathe.   “Hold this, Tony.” He said as he wrapped an astral web around the genius. The reaper had found the doctor, it was there to guard the gateway and right now they were both straddling that line.    A reaper had found them.   Stephen had finally made a promise he couldn’t keep. Any minute  now  the  messenger was going to finish the draw on Tony’s life force, effectively delivering him to that hellish afterlife.  So the  sorcerer drew on the power of the time stone effectively incapacitating a reaper; even time  can  be  extended. The doctor trapped the demon in a time loop and teleported it to a dimension the  sorcerer had constructed himself just in case one day he needed to hold a prisoner, somewhere safe. The man knew he wouldn’t be able to hold the gate keeper for too long before more came looking for it, but it was all he could do to save Tony’s life.    Still Stephen couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that  swept through him  as  he  felt a strong web pull him through the veil , his skin burning, sizzling as an invisible fire tried its hardest to  incinerate his very soul.  He felt the connection fade slightly every time the creature tried to break free, it would eventually drain him to put that much magic towards trapping a creature that powerful and  multidimensionally connected.  Christine Palmer panicked. AGAIN. Stephen had done it again. There was no way she was responsible for the death of Tony Stark and Stephen Strange. It just couldn’t be. And she watched in awe as the young man Peter Parker pulled what looked like ghostly forms of both men from the abyss. Stephen’s body was charred and slowly healing while Tony’s body was enveloped in a bright blue protective light. Twin flat-lines echoed in the lab as Christine got to work, slamming the defibrillators against Tony’s chest jolting the man awake. “Peter...pet..”The genius breathed out harshly, eyes wide with fear.All the color gone from his face. “Mr. Stark—D-dad please.”Peter pulled down his mask and held on to the man desperately trying to soothe him. Tony didn’t blink, it was like he wasn’t  really there and when he did blink a single small tear skidded down his frightened face.  “Boss, Doctor Strange is unresponsive, his body is going into shock. He was very badly burned.” Friday announced, breaking the genius from his trance. “Don’t you fucking dare Stephen!” Christine yelled  in exasperation as tears fell from her eyes and she  upped the voltage to max point and slammed the pads on the sorcerers chest with brute force. It was the last shock that woke a livid looking sorcerer. Tony had never seen the man look so angry, so concentrated. Smoke  evaporated from his skin and the burns on his face and neck were engulfed in a white light , healing the worst of them. The man ripped the electrodes off his chest, determined—calling over his relic in the process. The cloak immediately flew and landed atop his shoulders. Stephen phased through the glass that separated Tony’s lab from the common room where everyone’s attention was rapt at the disturbing scene that had played before them. “You.” Stephen said, resolutely lowering an icy glare at Steve Rogers. It was all the sorcerer said before he landed on his feet softly in front of the soldier only to punch him hard through a portal, fist shaking—ignoring the shooting pain in his hand. He sealed the portal and braced himself against the wall by where the Captain had vanished, breaths coming in labored. No one had ever seen the doctor so out of control. Peter ran towards the doctor, a flabbergasted look on his face, mouth open wide in question. “He’s not dead.” The sorcerer responded to the younger man’s silent question before  disappearing through another portal. “Shit.” Peter said under his breath. “Mind telling us what the fuck just happened, Peter?” Clint asked, irritated and astonished at what he had just witnessed. “I think I know where he sent Steven.” Thor said clearing his throat. Everything had happened so fast. There was no time to react. Captain America fell for what felt like an eternity. He didn’t understand what had prompted the sorcerer to react so violently but he couldn’t shake the look on Tony’s terrified face no matter how hard he tried. His mouth had stayed open in a silent scream, it haunted him.  What could elicit such a reaction in the genius.  When he thought he would lose consciousness  from the blood rushing rapidly to his  brain he found himself landing on the familiar bulk of the Norse God.  He recognized the bi frost from Stormbreaker anywhere, when everything stopped spinning he realized he had landed in Thor’s outstretched arms. The blonde looked somewhat amused at the situation as she shook his head and suppressed a laugh. “Hello, Steven.” The blonde said as he greeted him with a smirk and the Captain felt his face get hot. The soldier quickly scrambled to his feet and off the taller man. “What happened?” Steve asked. “You brought upon yourself the wrath of a very skilled wizard it seems.” Thor said thoughtfully resting a hand on his chin as he set his weapon down and sat on the ground of what appeared to be a very familiar forest. “This..” Steve said quietly to himself as he looked around. He remembered every battlefield he had ever been on. This was the forest, the forest in which he and Tony had met Thor. “You told me to drop my hammer.” The God said reminiscing with a sad smile. “Take me back to Tony’s lab, Thor.” The Captain said seriously. “No, Steven.” The God said as he sat on a boulder thoughtfully and sharpened storm breaker with a nearby stone.  “What do you mean, no?” The soldier was annoyed to say the least. “You know, you have a very nasty habit of running head first into the field without even the slightest hint of a plan. I’m assumed to be the most daft Avenger but you far exceed expectations in that department. I can only venture to guess that the reason the wizard attacked you tonight is because of something he saw whilst trying to save Anthony.” Thor said looking at him directly and not bothering to mince words. Steven collapsed on his legs and sat against a nearby tree in the forest. Mulling over the God’s words looking at the ground, defeated. “I hurt him.” Steven said to himself, sounding regretful. “I believe in redemption. My father did too, Loki taught me that it was possible. I’ve seen people change. I’ve seen people become better. You are not a bad man Steve Rogers. Impulsive yes, bad no.” The blonde said as he paused sharpening his ax and giving the super soldier a small smile. Steve could hear the hitch in the God’s voice at the mention of his brother and father, it was subtle but noticeable to someone with enhanced hearing. There was fresh pain there.Unspeakable pain. And with a sad heart, I say bye to you and wave  Kicking shadows on the street  For every mistake that I had made  And like a baby boy,  I never was a man  Until I saw your blue eyes crying,  And I held your face in my hand Hate me today  Hate me tomorrow  Hate me for all the things I didn't do for you

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

CH 9: Separate Ways

Stephen arrived at the Sanctum, breaths coming in fast.

In less than 5 minutes, Stephen had broken everything; angrily trashing his room. Wong of course came in and mystically smacked some sense into the crazed 
sorcerer
. 
Sorcerer
 Supreme or not, Wong promptly put a stop to the former surgeon by sending him 
flying  across
 the room. 
 
Here we stand 
Worlds apart 
Hearts broken in two, two, two 
Sleepless nights 
Losing ground 
I'm reaching for you, you, you

“Stephen 
Strange ,
 tell me why you so rudely interrupted Bey time?!” The robust 
sorcerer
  questioned looking at the other man disappointed.

“Was it another nightmare?” Wong pressed, going to help the doctor up; the cloak took this opportunity to smack the other 
sorcerer
 in retaliation for the earlier attack.

For the first time in his life Wong saw Stephen express the most emotion since he had met the man.

His hands shook uncontrollably, he 
sat  crumpled
 against the wall shirtless  and face lowered as utter anguish threatened to creep out. 
 
Feelin' that it's gone 
Can change your mind 
If we can't go on 
Survive the tide, love divides 
Stephen closed his eyes.

“I-I saw Captain America almost kill Tony.” Stephen choked out as he sobbed silently, not daring to look at the other man. He shut his eyes 
tighter  and
 rivers of tears just fell.

“Stephen, that doesn’t explain your state of undress and why your hand is injured.” The monk said as he calmly 
assessed
  the bruised bleeding knuckles, he could see a bit of the metal implants in the man’s hand.

“I went to help them with a mystical issue concerning Stark; 
Mordo
 
targeted
 him...cursed him. He was going to steal his soul. 
So
 I trapped a reaper in a pocket dimension.” The doctor 
explained
, regaining his composure.

“You did, WHAT?!” The monk looked at him both frightened and shocked.

“It was killing 
him ,
 it saw me. I had to.” The doctor said, finally wiping his face.

“Being a 
sorcerer
 supreme Master of the Mystic Arts you have to realize the plague 
Mordo
 managed to unleash on you. They are going to come looking to collect.” Wong pointed out as he summoned a bowl of warm water and the cloak went to go get towels.

“You stupid arrogant 
sorcerer
.” The librarian admonished as he gently cleaned the blood off the doctor.

“I don’t know what came over me.” Stephen said in a quiet voice looking away from the other man.

“
Its
 that Spiderman/child/ 
sorcerer's
 apprentice. He finally got through that thick skull of yours. I’m so proud of you. This is progress, Stephen.” At the mention of 
Peter
 the cloak seemed to 
woosh
 through the room like a familiar young protege from Queens. The thought of Peter made Stephen subconsciously hold his chest like it hurt. He felt guilty for leaving Peter to clean up his mess without an explanation.

“This is grow
th
.” Wong concluded knowingly.

Stephens face tinted pink for all of 2 seconds before he realized and it was gone.

“I punched that smug bastard in the face.” The 
sorcerer
 said with an unapologetic arrogant grin.

“Stephen, Doctor—Mister Strange what did you do?!” Peter said as he let himself into Stephen
’s
 room through a grey portal, Deadpool in tow.

“Yeah, Doc 
Irondad
 is freaking out.” Deadpool said as Peter blushed and Wade stroked his fingers, encouragingly then letting his hands fall at his sides.

“He keeps screaming a name over and over.”
 The 
sorcerer's
 apprentice said sounding a little ruffled.

“Peter I-I wanted to apologize for my hurried departure...I--” He was quickly cut off by a worried Peter Parker.

“Who is April, Stephen?” Spiderman asked seriously.

At the mention of that name Stephen visibly closed off to the 
world as
 the cloak wrapped itself around the doctor as though hugging him.

“His sister, she passed away...” Wong silently explained.

“I need to fix this.” Stephen said rising to his feet.

“You need to rest.” Wong said crossing his arms and getting an insulted slap in the shoulder by a very frustrated cloak of levitation.

“Let’s go, Peter.” The 
sorcerer
 said as he walked towards the young man, shirtless, heaving but determined.

As Doctor Strange, Peter and Deadpool entered the lab through a portal Friday issued an alarm.

“Boss is catatonic. He has lost complete control of his suit.” The A.I announced apprehensively.

The nanobots in the housing unit kept activating the armor and deactivating it as Tony shook and yelled out April’s name in anguish.

“Stark, listen. 
It  happened
 a long time ago.” The 
sorcerer
 said as he knelt 
shirtlessly
 over the other man, muttering protective spells under his breath as blue streams of light engulfed Tony’s still form and Stephen gently held the other man’s face in his hands.

The blue light vanished and Tony’s frightened tear stained eyes fluttered open.

“Steph...Stephen?!” The billionaire breathed out, instinctively pulling the other man into a fierce hug not caring that they weren’t alone and the doctor was shirtless. He had never been happier to see someone.

“She’s long gone, Anthony.” The doctor explained and patted Tony on the back one last time before he pulled away reluctantly.

“You were so young.” The genius said to himself.

Steve Rogers stared through the glass.

Tony seemed to hold on to one of the 
sorcerer's
 hands for dear life until the former surgeon let go, subconsciously realizing his scarred hands were on full display.
 
Someday love will find you 
Break those chains that bind you 
One night will remind you 
How we touched 
And went our separate ways 
“How convenient.” The Captain said facing the demi god with a glare.

“Whatever do you mean, Steven?!” Thor exclaimed, mock offended.

“They’re your friends not mine.” The Captain said as he huffed in annoyance and looked away from the blond.

Steve expected the full wrath of an infuriated God, what he got was far from it.

“We’re all friends, family—
Steven.”The
 God said placing a surprisingly gentle kiss on the soldier’s forehead and letting his hands fall at his sides immediately.  Steve was speechless after that and confused about missing that feeling as soon as it was gone.

*BACK IN TONY’S WORKSHOP*

“What happened, Fri?” Tony asked warily.

“You--you lost control of the armor, boss. Doctor Strange was able to get you out of the trance. He almost died in the 
process.”The
 A.I concluded.

“Mr. Stark are you OK?” Peter asked letting his mask down again.

“Son I—I need a minute.” Tony said as he took in his surroundings for the first time after being resurrected.

Peter blushed and bounced with happiness.

“Um, sure dad.” Peter said as he beamed and dragged Wade out of 
Tony’s
 workshop with him.

“Well, aren’t you two the cutest sight, can I go now?” Christine asked, rolling her eyes at the pair but instantly relieved that no one died.

“Uh, sure.” Stephen said opening up another portal with a wave of this hands and an apologetic smile aimed at his longtime friend.

“You make sure that man rests. Call me.” The brunette said, gesturing towards the bewildered billionaire currently trying to catch his bearings.

The 
sorcerer
 only nodded in response.

“Friday, initiate 
lock
 down sequence.” Tony commanded as he turned over to the other man expecting answers.

Iron Man anticipated the Avengers barging in so he 
initiated
 that 
protocol
 in order to have a minute alone to talk with the 
sorcerer
.

“Stay, we need to talk.” Tony said as he beckoned the 
Sorcerer
 closer and sat up straight on the bed.

“Stark...I 
can’t.”Stephen
 started suddenly feeling exposed. Tony tried to not to let it sting that the doctor was back to addressing him by his surname.

“Can it, Winifred. That was your sister wasn’t it?” Tony cut him off visibly disturbed.

“That’s none of your concern.” The doctor countered, annoyed and making fast work at getting dressed and putting his signature gloves back on.

“When were you 
gonna
 tell us about 
Dormamu
, 
you
 senseless prick?!” Tony said slamming his fist on the bed angrily.

“Like I said to

your

CAPTAIN
. I’m not Avenger. I’m the 
Sorcerer
 Supreme. I work alone.” Stephen said instantly regretting his words the minute they slipped out.
 
If he ever hurts you 
True love won't desert you 
You know I still love you 
Though we touched 
And went our separate ways 
Tony felt the doctor’s words like a slap in the face.

“Get the fuck out.” Iron Man said as the suit enveloped him.

“Tony 
he..I.”Stephen
 didn’t let himself finish as he resolutely exited the other man’s lab through a portal looking defeated.

“Boss, the other Avengers are threatening to tear up the tower. Please stand down.” Friday pleaded trying her best to sooth her creator.

*OUTSIDE THE LAB*

“Hey, hey cool off Spidey.” Trying to calm down the worried brunette.

“Just ugh, I feel like I should do something.” Peter said as he ran a frustrated hand through his brown curly locks.

“Give them time, kid.” Wade said reassuringly.

“Not you too, fuck.” Peter said as he sighed in exasperation and punched Deadpool on the arm.

“You’re young and I’m nothing to look at.” Deadpool said quietly looking down, lost in his own thoughts.

“I’ll have you know 
I’m
 
22 year old
, in college and very limber.” Peter said 
boldly  pulling
 the mercenary closer by the hips.

“You’re going to be the death of me, Parker.” Wade relented, a little taken aback by that impressive show of confidence.

“
Wanna
 bet?” The younger man said as he pulled Wade even closer and swiftly 
portaled
 them to his apartment.

“What, what are you doing?”  Deadpool asked nervously as the younger man unzipped and gingerly stepped out of his super suit.

“I-I need to not think about all this for a little 
while.”Peter
 Parker had grown up an Avenger and you could tell. His body was sculpted like fine marble. He wore only a thin pair of black briefs underneath as he reached for the Sky vodka under his bed and took a hefty sip.
 
Troubled times 
Caught between 
Confusion and pain, pain, pain 
Distant eyes 
Promises we make 
Were in vain, in vain 
“Trust me, you don’t want this.” Wade said rather forlornly.

“A few hours ago, you wouldn’t stop throwing yourself at me, what gives?!” Peter demanded as he inched closer to the merc.

“That’s before I thought I had a chance.” Deadpool said looking away dejectedly.

Peter huffed out impatiently and dragged the other man to bed using all his strength. Unfair advantage.

“If everyone around me could stop treating me like a child, that would be great.” The brunette said, emphasizing his point by straddling Wade.

It was becoming harder and harder for the mercenary to decline such an inviting offer. The sharpshooter took off his Katanas; Bea and Arthur and let his gun holsters slide off as he pinned Spiderman underneath him, grinding his hips into the younger man, gaining a startled moan.

“I’m 
gonna
 do to you what Bush did to the economy.” Wade whispered as he leaned down and nipped at Peter’s ear playfully, slipping his mask back down right after.

“Don’t talk about it, be about it.” The slender young Spider said with a smirk as he gripped Wade’s ass appreciatively, a little 
disappointed
 Deadpool still had his suit on.

“Let me take care of you first.” Wade said, stealing a quick kiss from Peter and using the distraction to shove a greedy hand down the brunette’s briefs.

“Wade mmn..please.” Peter said as he closed his eyes and bit his bottom lip.

“Someone’s been taking their 
Flintstones
 vitamins.” Deadpool purred as he ran his gloved hands down the younger man’s sides.

Peter shifted uncomfortably already feeling the effect of the 
mercenary's
 
ministrations
 as his dick hardened and pre-cum slicked the tip.

Wade stroked him slowly and ran his thumb  over the tip.

“Suck me, Wade.” Peter panted out and thrust his hips in time with the other man’s strokes.

“As you wish, baby.” Deadpool said as he 
lifted
 his mask just over his mouth.

Peter visibly shuddered in pleasure which the sharpshooter completely misread, lowering his head just a little as he obstructed Peter’s view of his lips and continued stroking the younger man’s thighs softly.

Wade’s experienced tongue darted out to lick the leaking pre-cum off the brunette’s long pink cock before taking it in his mouth.

Wade decided he loved Peter’s expressive face; head thrown back, eyes shut and mouth opening and closing with incoherent sounds of approval.

“God, Wade—yes.” Peter gasped out in pleasure as he pinched his pert nipples and ran a possessive hand down Deadpool's back.

Wade could feel his own cock straining against the suit as he opted for violating the mattress while simultaneously removing a glove, sucking on a scarred finger and pressing it against Peter’s entrance. Peter’s body arched up in response almost impaling Wade’s mouth.

Deadpool couldn’t help but ogle at his handiwork. Spiderman sprawled out naked, legs spread and writhing in pleasure.

“Fuck me, make it go away Wade.” Peter said rising up and sitting cupping the other man’s masked face.

“Let me see you. I haven’t seen your face. I want to see everything.” Peter said with a soft voice tenderly holding the mercenary’s face in his hands.

“
Gotta
 fly, Pete 
its
 been nice but the fairy godmother told me I only have until 12
.”Wade
 said as he pulled his mask down and picked up his weapons.

“You can’t fly, asshole.” Peter angrily crossed his arms over his chest.

“What’s that? Yeah, the X-men are calling.” Deadpool said appearing distracted and pretending to speak into his Hello Kitty watch.

“That’s not..., ugh just get the fuck out Wade. Since you think I’m too young for 
you.”Spiderman
 said furiously as he pulled on some sweatpants.
 
If you must go, I wish you love 
You'll never walk alone 
Take care, my love 
Miss you, love 
Wade was at a loss.

“You’ve got it wrong, Spidey—you really don’t want to see this thing.” Deadpool said as he motioned at his face and made his way out the window stealthily while the brunette mulled his words over.

The younger man was left with many questions and blue balls.

Peter downed the rest of the vodka silently hoping Tony would call him. He freaked out a little when his father figure contacted him two seconds later.

“Get your ass in this tower, young man.” Tony sounded and looked non-too pleased in  that hologram.

Peter used his silver sling ring to open a portal into Tony’s workshop.

“Uh, hey dad.” Peter said as he stepped through and waved at the billionaire, bracing himself.

Tony Stark paused for a millisecond, issued a small knowing smile at the physics prodigy and then laid a serious look on the younger man.

“Are you bored? Is that why you decided to go Harry Potter on me? You’re opening yourself up to more threats, son. You need to stop.” Tony said crumpling the sheets to the bed under his hands.

“He’s doing it by himself, dad. He needs help.” Spiderman said, crossing his arms resolutely and looking at his mentor expectantly.

“If something were to happen to you

again

, Peter I—don't know what I would 
do.”Tony
 said as he strode over and hugged the startled brunette.

“You need to trust me more, Pop. He’s amazing. He has taught me so much.” Peter said as he beamed and proudly raved about the sorcerer.

“You smell like vodka.” Tony said as his eyes narrowed at the mention of the doctor.

“I had a previous engagement while you duked it out with Stephen.” Peter said taking his mask off and looking weary.

“Okay, I get it but you need to call these are things I need to know.” Tony pointed out running a frustrated hand through his face.

“I always come to 
you,
 you never call. Friday has to tell me you’re almost dying. Hypocrite.” Peter said harshly, looking 
disappointed
 and hurt.

“That’s different. I do that to protect you.” Tony exclaimed defensively.

“Newsflash, I’m Spiderman. I don’t need it.” Peter said, frustrated as he opened a web portal with his left hand towards the Sanctum Santorum.

“I--I’ll see you later Mr. 
Stark.”The
 genius looked like he’d taken a web grenade to the face as he processed the words.

“He’s mad at you.” 
Peter  said
 as he landed on a chair in the kitchen across from Wong.

“Oh, great your apprentice is here, Stephen.” Wong said as he rolled his eyes and laughed incredulously.

“Hi, Peter.” Stephen said silently as he appeared to stare off into space.

“Don’t you ‘Hi, Peter’ me—what the hell did you do ‘Doctor’?” Peter questioned as he emphasized this with obnoxious air quotes.

“What had to be done.” Stephen replied, affronted by the sudden show of disrespect.

“My dad hates you at the moment and I don’t know why.” Peter mentioned taking off his mask in one swift motion.

“You’re inebriated.” Stephen said deliberately changing the subject.

“Okay, I’m out.” Wong said raising his hands in surrender and walking out of the kitchen right away.

“I’m not drunk.” Peter said avoiding eye contact with the sorcerer.

“Oh?” Stephen said reaching a gloved hand to grip the younger man’s chin.

“It’s nothing.” Peter said, stepping away from the doctor.

“You’re upset.” Stephen said pointing out the obvious.

“He thinks I’m too young.” Peter murmured under his breath.

The doctor absorbed this new information, earnestly. He noticed Peter trying to hide by the refrigerator. Realizing Spiderman was gay or bisexual took a minute took get used to.

“
So
 you’re gay?” Stephen asked calmly.

“I--I just like people.” Peter said nervously looking anywhere but at the former neurosurgeon.

“There’s nothing wrong with that.” Stephen said aiming a reassuring smile at the young man.

“You need to talk to dad Stephen.” Peter said as he walked a little closer to the snarky wizard.

“Your father needs to understand that there are certain threats he is ill equipped to deal with.” Doctor Strange replied defiantly.

“Bullshit, Iron Man would find a way and you know it.” Peter countered heatedly.

The doctor was left speechless by one very drunk spider. 
 
Someday love will find you 
Break those chains that bind you 
One night will remind you 
How we touched 
And went our separate ways

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

They had approximately 1 week left until they gave it another shot. To bring back their friends, to bring back everyone.

Rescue trained until her skin was raw.

Together they were able to help Bruce contain the Hulk. As it turns out Carol wasn’t such a long shot.

She fought fiercely.

They all began training outside in the field, running simulations with Thor, Captain America and Captain Marvel because Carol’s photon blasts tended to leave craters in the 
coloseum
.

“You said you were in the air force?” Captain America questioned with a shy smile.

“Yeah.” Carol said looking a little distracted by the red head that was currently strategizing another training session.

“Oh hi, Miss Danvers.” Thor said in greeting as he walked up to join them.

A deep sadness radiated from the God. Carol wasn’t good with 
emotions,
 the Star Force had trained her well.

“Oh, hi Thor.” She said with an awkward smile.

“You’re not very talkative.” The God of Thunder observed.

“
So
 I’ve been told.” Carol said rolling her eyes. Her head was still turned towards Pepper.

“Stark’s 
fiance
.” Steve mumbled under his breath coughing nervously.

“No...” Carol whispered with a determined Charming smile.

“You sure are full of surprises, Danvers.” Thor said with a knowing grin.

“Shut up.” Carol said with a flip of her hair suddenly wanting to fly away from this conversation. Pepper Potts gave her that opportunity.

“Scott, I need you to go at me with everything you’ve got. Carol, Carol are you listening.” The CEO of Stark industries said all clad in a purple, blue and silver Rescue armor, enhanced by nanobots thanks to 
Shuri
 and Dr. Hulk.

“Coming, 
gotta
 go boys.” Carol said saluting the Captain and flashing an amused smile at the God of Thunder.

“You think she’s-she’s not, she wouldn’t.” Steve said sounding uncharacteristically nervous.

“Oh, Steven, look at her powerful, volatile and an endless battery of energy.” Thor said pointing out the obvious.

Natasha had a murderous look on her face. Carol was powerful, arrogant and basically a blonde Tony Stark.

“Okay, what the hell is up with you Nat, I can smell the anger in the air.” Bruce said as he 
nudnged
 her shoulder demanding answers.

“
Its
 nothing.” The fading blonde said taking a few deep breaths.

“You need to get this shit under control, whatever it is because we are going up against 
Thanos
.” Rocket exclaimed putting his grenade launcher away and stepping closer to them.

“Nat, you 
gotta
 tell her.” Bruce said reaching for her hand non-threateningly.

“What good will that do, Bruce?” The scientist had never seen the usually composed 
intell
 expert so distraught—her mask of indifference was down for a 
milisecond
 before it was back up again.

“At least you’ll know. I care about you Natty but you and I both know this wasn’t going to work and if you can have that with someone 
else
 I can’t do anything but support you. I have love for Tony, he helped us all. He shaped the Avengers and I wish him no harm but they don’t accept each other’s flaws.” Bruce ended, looking sad for a minute.

“Tell her.” The Raccoon said kicking her.

The spy smiled wickedly.

“You’re all the worst.” She said lowering her eyes at them playfully before walking away.

“This is a level of drama I never expected for the Avengers.” Scott said failing to sustain a giggle.

“You’re in for a sad wake up call, my friend.” Rocket said punching the reformed thief in the knee playfully but strong enough to leave a bruise.

Bruce, 
Shuri
 and Scott worked together to build a glove/gauntlet similar to the one 
Thanos
 had used when 
he
 first attacked them, they were very close to 
unraveling
 time travel, they just needed Tony to come home. Rescue insisted that she 
weild
 the gantlet, she was quite convincing especially after she had effectively subdued the Hulk with her enhanced Stark Tech. Only Tony had ever managed to pull of
f
 that feat and not without substantial damage to the Iron Man armor but the way Rescue flew, she was a natural.

She was fast. She commanded Friday strategically putting a halt to some of the Hulk’s more deadly attacks. Every move he made she met it, commanding armies of Stark tech to contain, she was the perfect defense weapon.  The Hulk raged and broke free of the cage she put him in but she didn’t falter, she didn’t step back, she aimed a strong 
unibeam
 at the approaching creature then commanded a half damaged dummy suit to distract the charging scientist and while it did so Rescue dove underneath the behemoth of a man and sucker punched him in the jaw delivering an instant K.O. knocking the gamma ray giant on his back against the field before she safely landed on  
on
 her feet breathing fast and hard.

“Pep-Pepper.” Natasha looked frightened meeting the other woman’s eyes, there was darkness in there and 
an   
urge to kill.

“I-I’m fine.” The red head said shaking a little but standing up straight.

“That-that was amazing.” The Raccoon said cheering and jumping up and down in excitement.

“I can’t believe it.” 
Captain  America
 said, staring in awe at the woman before him having defeated the Hulk at his full might.

“We’re going to win.” Thor said standing next to the soldier, feeling hopeful for the first time since he’d seen Loki die.

A sudden deathly silence rang throu
gh
out the field and a familiar voice invaded their senses; 
Thanos
.
 
In sleep he sang to me In dreams he came That voice which calls to me And speaks my name And do I dream again? For now I find The Phantom of the Opera is there Inside my mind 
“I know you think that what you’re doing is noble but I will find him. You will not disturb the peace.” Immediately Rescue activated the suit’s defense mechanism and engulfed them all in a pale blue light.

“You don’t know who I am but you will pay dearly for everything you took from us. You monster!” The redhead said, letting her helmet down once more and preparing for anything as the others rallied around her awaiting instructions, anticipating another attack. As soon as he came, he was gone.

“We’re going to stop him.” Carol said, eyes shining dangerously bright—anger flashing with every movement.

Rocket let out a breath he didn’t know he had been holding.

“How dare he, how dare that son of a bitch 
show
 his face?!” The alien hybrid said reaching for his grenade launcher instinctively.
 
Sing once again with me Our strange duet My power over you Grows stronger yet And though you turn from me To glance behind The Phantom of the Opera is there Inside your mind

*THE MILANO*

Tony worked diligently alongside Nebula, unwilling to let go of the image of Peter and the doctor fading away into nothingness, that memory drove him to carry on-that and the thought of Pepper having survived the vicious attack on trillions of lives.

“If I had Friday...” Tony trailed off as he 
tierdly
 adjusted some wires in the prototype he built of the gauntlet.

“My father 
wont
 stop until he accomplishes his ideal of Eutopia.” Nebula said as the tired genius worked madly with a torch against the metal construct of the 
would be
 time machine.

“That grape can 
kiss  my
 ass--.” Tony was startled by a very bright blue light.

“Hi, Boss.” The billionaire had never been so happy before
 to hear that familiar Irish accent.

There flew Virginia Pepper Potts in the armor he had 
safelocked
 for her.

“Are they hostile, Stark?” The blue alien woman asked, ready for anything.

“We’re fine they’ve sent Rescue.” Tony said as he drifted off to sleep and felt the dead ship come back to life.

“T-Tony.” What felt like an eternity later, Pepper’s voice invaded his 
senses.

“We’re home.” The red head said as she kissed his cheek, willing him to wake up.

“What?” The brunette said, startled.

“Earth.” Pepper responded with a sad, hopeful smile.

“Oh.” Tony said as Friday filled him in on the survivors of the snap.

“Tony, listen to me. He’s not the leader.” She said with a serious look on her face that made Tony do a double take.

“No, Pep. You-its-
its
 too dangerous.” Tony said standing up and holding her shoulders.

“I saw my mother die in front of me, Tony. I saw my sister evaporate into thin air. Don’t tell me what I can and can’t do.” Pepper said defiantly, her body lightly glowing.

“Extremis. Y-you told me you were fine.” He looked horrified.

“
Its
 not like you never lied to me before.” She said quirking an eyebrow.

“That was different! This-this 
youre
 killing yourself. All of them all of those people they tested on exploded and died.” Tony 
said  holding
 on to her hips for dear life almost made impossible by the blue and purple 
nano
 suit.

“I can control it. We can do this.” She said sounding 
more sure
 of herself than she had since she had met him.

“We’ve arrived, Boss.” Friday announced to the ship.

“Roll call, Fri. I never attend parties without knowing who will be there.” Tony said straightening up and running a shaky hand through his matted hair.

“We are being expected by Captain America, Scott Lang ALIAS ANT 
MAN(
at this Tony rolled his eyes), Dr. Banner, Thor, Colonel Rhodes, Rocket and Carol Danvers. Tony seemed to flinch at the thought of Steve being alive. Pepper wasn’t oblivious to the tension between the two men, she had always suspected something drastic had happened to break up the Avengers. Tony was unfamiliar with the 
blonde haired
 woman in the pilot’s jacket but what was most unusual was the talking raccoon he saw standing next to his teammates which made him question the reality of the situation.

“Pep, is that a talking Raccoon or did I just die and I don’t remember?” He said as he tugged at her arm as she led him down the ship and into the field.

“He’s an ally, his name is Rocket. He’s with the 
Guardian’s
 of the Galaxy.” The red head confirmed as the Raccoon strode up to greet Nebula.

“We’re going to get them back.” Nebula said under her breath as she ran an absent hand on the alien hybrid’s head.

“H-he sacrificed Gamora for the Soul Stone in 
Vormir
.” Nebula confessed looking away from Rocket.

“T-that rotten piece of garbage!” The raccoon exclaimed angrily gritting his teeth and stomping about.

“Be still rabbit, we will get him.” Thor said with a smile walking over to the pair and giving Nebula a small smile.

“Who is this?” Nebula said looking from the raccoon to the God.

“Oh, that’s Thor. He’s the God of Thunder or whatever.” Rocket said moving his gun around from shoulder to shoulder before placing it respectfully on the ground.

Steve Rogers was slowly walking up to meet him and instinctively Tony grabbed his chest, defense mechanism. The Captain flinched at the action obviously bothered. 
 
 "Tony I--." The billionaire didn't let him finish.  "Don't, Rogers. Just don't. You've done enough. I'm going to help because my son was killed, because a doctor told me we have one, just one scenario in which we win. But you stay the fuck away from me. I'll work with all of you but I need time." Tony said sternly delivering an icy glare at the other man.   Steve's heart sank and he looked away.   "You're putting your personal feelings against everything else, Tony. This is important." Bruce said looking at the other man earnestly.   "Personal feelings? Grimace, threw a planet at me. And where were you?! Where the fuck were all of you when I was warning you about this years ago?" Tony finally snapped grasping everyone's attention.   "He's going to pay, Tony." Thor said as he spoke up, an uncharacteristically angry look on his face. The genius noticed the Gods eyes were different.   "What the hell happened to you?!" Tony questioned eyebrow raised as he slumped in the wheel chair.  
"He's pissed." The Raccoon said from his corner as Nebula sat bored next to him.
 
 "A lot has happened since your abduction Tones." The world changed." Rhodey spoke up giving his best friend a sad smile and hugging him tight for a long 5 minutes as the brunette shivered and coughed.  
"Let's make things right." Natasha said, stepping forward unusually nervous. 
 
 "I guess, its true what they say-there's no rest for the wicked.” Tony said as he whirled around to face her and coughed violently being instantly reminded of his weakened condition. 
“I deserve that but 
its
 going to take all of us to get everyone back.” Natasha said, for once dropping her mask of indifference and looking suspiciously apologetic.

This made Tony uncomfortable as he had never known the spy to let down her mask in front of anyone, that and the fact that she kept stealing worried glances at Pepper made him narrow his eyes. He didn’t like being kept in the dark.

“Tony Stark, I’m Carol Danvers. I agree I think we should wait until you’ve fully recovered to attempt any reconaissance. I’m sure you can hold your own from what I’ve gathered; at full strength but we need to go in prepared.” The blonde woman said as she gave him a half smile and shook his hand.

*FLASHBACK*

Pepper Potts was conflicted, on the one hand - she knew she loved Tony Stark. Tony, the genius, the futurist, the man with a heart so big it almost killed him. Then there was Natasha, the spy, the fugitive - the woman who up until recently she had believed detested her existence.
 
  
"You love Tony." The red head said to herself as she looked in the mirror; her tired eyes glossing over. A small voice in the back of her mind objected and confimed her suspicions: that although she loved Tony she had inadvertently fallen in love with Natasha Romanoff.
 
  
It all started the day she had stumbled upon the spy sobbing quietly while holding a picture of the 
Bartons
.
 
  
Not very many things surprised the CEO but this certainly threw her off guard. She almost did not want to interrupt but something in her chest hurt to watch the usually stoic spy, completely sullen and wrapped in survivors guilt. She watched the other woman a while longer before making her presence known and that was saying something because not very many people could sneak up on the Black Widow.
 
  
"There's a lot of that going around lately." Pepper said as she stepped out of the shadows.
 
  
The spy immediately scrambled to her feet and wiped her face.
 
  
"C-can I help you?" The blonde woman said; voice a little shaky from crying.
 
  
"It's Clint Barton isn't it?" Pepper asked, gently turning the other woman to face her.
 
  
Grief can bring people together or tear them apart. At the mention of the archer's name, any of the resolve in keeping the mask up dissolved and the spy broke down in heavy tears, sliding against the wall and falling to the floor, knees pulled tightly against her chest; her face hidden under messy red and blonde fading locks.
 
  
"
Thanos
 took everything from Clint, he snapped his entire family out of existence. He didn't even get to say goodbye. Now he's out there killing just to kill. I have red in my ledger, I should not be here. " Natasha said, shaking with every word and slamming her fist against the floor tiles in frustration and sadness. 
 
  
"We can get them all back." Pepper said taking a seat next to the other woman and nudging her shoulder.
 
  
"Not if it means losing what we have left." Natasha said seriously, wiping the remnants of tears and looking at the other woman.
 
  
"You're not who I expected." Pepper remarked honestly aiming a small smile at the other woman.
 
  
"You're one to talk, the Queen of surprises; Pepper Potts." The spy said, sounding a little more cheerful.
 
  
"
Its
 going to be okay, Nat." The CEO said reassuring the other woman with a smile and grasping her hand comfortingly.  Natasha was taken aback by the optimistic red head and something in her stomach twisted. She could feel her face heating up under the other woman's gaze.
 
  
"I-I should get some sleep." The Russian woman said as she abruptly got up and basically ran away leaving Pepper to her own befuddled thoughts. 
 
  
"Wtf Romanoff, that's Stark's 
fiance
." The formally full blonde said as she tried and failed to slap some sense into herself. 
 
  She had to keep her mind on task, tomorrow she was going to find Clint and recruit him for the mission. She didn't know what to expect but she owed him enough to try. Tomorrow Tony Stark was set to return to Earth. Tomorrow she would have to return to seeing Pepper as only another team member, instead of the beautiful, compassionate redhead she had grown to love, admire and care for so deeply.  
*TOKYO*

"You shouldn't be here." The Archer had left over 100 bodies in his reckless onslaught wiping his blade on his jacket he turned to look at her, knowing the Black Widow wasn't one to underestimate.
 
  
When she met his 
eyes
 her heart broke into a million pieces. There was a pain and a darkness so intense in them it made her skin crawl and she unconsciously shivered. 
 
  
"We found a way to bring them back." Natasha said, voice unusually steady. 
 
  
"Don't do this. Don't give me hope." The broken man said, resolute. 
 
  
"I'm serious, Stark is alive. We can go 
back,
 we can fix this. Fight with us." She pleaded reaching her hand out to her best friend. 
 
  
"If I do this. It needs to work." He said holding on to her outstretched hand and motioning to the bodies that carpeted the pavement.
 
  
"It will." She said, holding back tears and that sigh of relief.

*Day of Destiny*

It took a few days for Tony to fully recover, and Tony being Tony refused to let his mind rest constantly working on the machine that would help them travel back in time and retrieve the stones and with Nebula’s knowledge of Thanos whereabouts and the soul stone’s location they were able to come up with a set game plan. As long as 
Thanos
 remained oblivious to their plan, they would be fine.

“Boss, I’ve detected an energy similar to that of the stones in a nearby planet with Rocket’s assistance.”  Friday notified the engineer as he 
tirelessluy
 worked on the machine that would send them to the Quantum realm.

“Give Major Danvers the exact location and notify Miss Potts. I’ve just about finished here. 
Lets
 get this son of a bitch.”  Tony said wiping his hands with a towel and holding a picture of Peter with the bogus Stark 
Apprentiship
 plaque.

“Miss Potts has instructed a strike team to go to the planet in hopes of recovering the original gauntlet, she’s on her way here.”  Friday informed the genius.

“I’ve sent the remainder of the team excluding Scott and Clint.” Pepper said walking through 
the  glass
 doors and striding over to hug the worried engineer.

“Rogers too?” Tony whispered running his fingers lightly over the picture frame.

“Tony, this isn’t healthy. You have to talk with him. This is going to eat you up inside until you do. Promise me, when this is all over you will talk to him and fix this.” Pepper said with a sad smile giving the genius a small kiss on the forehead and brushing his hair back.

“Boss, I don’t mean to interrupt but I just heard back from the team. It appears the mad titan used the stones to destroy the gauntlet and the stones. Thor 
Odinson
 delivered a killing blow and they are on their way back to the compound.” Friday said in a rather glum tone.

At the news , Tony’s breathing became labored and he gripped the metal table to steady himself.

“Tony, I need you to look at me and listen. 
Its
 not over, ok? We can still get them back. This is a minor set back. The machine works. At least this way, we don’t have to deal with him interefering.” The red head said speaking sense and peace into the nerve wracked man.

“I don’t know what I would do without you Miss Potts.” Tony said cracking a small smile.

Everyone 
came  back
 looking defeated. Thor was inconsolable. Carol was angrier than Bruce. Rocket looked just about done but they all knew it wasn’t over. 
So
 they trained harder and longer leading up to the day that they would all go back and recover the stones from the past. Not knowing what lay ahead but determined to 
accomplish
 their mission.

After another test run, this time with the quantum suits and Clint as the designated lab rat they were able to successfully send him back and forward in time, Pepper called it a day and dismissed everyone, taking her leave and following Tony out only to be caught off guard and stopped by a slender hand on her arm.

“Miss Potts, I’d like to have a word with you in private.” Nat said a little nervously.

Tony gave her a puzzled look , shrugged and continued walking.

“What about Miss Romanoff?” The 
long haired
 redhead inquired crossing her arms over her chest.

“I-I 
wanted..I
 mean I think you’re  a great leader and I  just wanted you to know before we march to our deaths. The Spy chose this moment to pull the stunned redhead in for a hard passionate kiss which the other woman surprisingly relaxed into quickly, naturally.

Nat took that as a green light to continue and pressed the taller woman against the wall earning a small moan from the other woman.

“But Tony, I--” Pepper was cut off as the Russian nibbled at the sensitive spot on her slender wanting neck.

“I just wanted you to know. I know nothing can happen beyond this but I wanted one memory.” The shorter red head confessed, softly biting the other woman’s ear and laying a sweet shy kiss on her cheek. The pair was being watched from a distance by an irritated blonde pilot.

“Well I guess that ship sailed.” Carol said to herself as she walked off frustrated into a vacant corridor. Straightening up her jacket and trying not to think of how lonely she felt.

As the Black Widow continued to walk off Pepper fought with herself.

“Wait.” The taller woman strode quickly and pulled the shocked woman against her holding her so close it hurt. Natasha couldn’t stomach it and the pain and armor turned into rubble as she sank into the other woman.

“Don’t be afraid. I don’t understand this. 
Its
 crazy but I feel it and I’ve tried to ignore it and I can’t.” The CEO revealed  running gentle strokes  down Natasha’s sides tilting the other woman’s face into an upward kiss and wiping away the tears lovingly.

“Now I really want to die because Stark’s going to kill me.” The shorter redhead joked darkly.

“He’s not...how you think. He would understand.” Pepper said in his defense, pulling a few rogue strands away from the spy’s face.

“He’s in love with you, Pep.” The shorter woman sighed.

“I think he cares about me a lot but I think his heart was broken beyond repair by your friend and 
its
 not going to heal any time soon and I can’t help him but it never truly belonged to me. Did it?” The other woman said resolutely, admitting truths 
outloud
 she had been holding onto for the past few years. She had helped the genius grow and be capable of forming healthy attachments in her own way but she knew Tony wasn’t in love with her. He liked the idea of her of being able to form a traditional family but Tony was not traditional. Pepper could see the longing in the billionaire’s eyes when he looked at the righteous Captain. The ferocity in which they glanced at each other spoke volumes, she was surprised no one had addressed the elephant in the room before.

“Oh God, you know.” Natasha said  in disbelief, chuckling lightly.

“They aren’t very good at hiding it. Do you know if 
they’ve..
” Pepper trailed off hugging the other woman and kissing the grin on her face.

“Steve is hard up. He’s the type that needs this explained to him in great detail and I volunteer to not be the one who is assigned this task.” The Spy said shivering a little at the idea.

“Tony is open to a point. I know he is attracted to men and has ventured outside of the opposite sex but he’s stubborn and his pride won’t allow him to make the first move.” Pepper concluded now pulling the other woman by the hand and leading her away from the arena.

“This is going to end badly, isn’t it?” Natasha asked rhetorically.

“When it comes to those two, most definitely.” The other woman said, walking the spy to her room and heading off to meet Tony with a relieved smile.

“What took you so long?” Tony said sending the daydreaming redhead a half smile and a quizzical look all rolled into one.

“I-I got lost.” Pepper responded nervously.

“Your pulse is elevated and you smell like that Russian.”  Tony said deliberately confronting the CEO without a second thought.

“W-what do you mean?” Pepper tried to play dumb.

“You forget I’m a paranoid at times schizophrenic with 
post traumatic
 stress disorder and paranoia to rival that of 2am 
tweeker
 with surveillance wherever I go. Friday, be a dear and play me back that footage, 
porfavor
.” The mechanic commanded.

“Friday, 
safetylock
 override.” Pepper said quickly 
astonishgly
 and to Tony’s annoyance canceling out his initial command with her own.

“Now, that’s just rude.” Tony said looking insulted and irritated.

“I can explain.” Pepper said slowly but feeling sicker by the minute and wanting nothing more than to hurl into the nearest body of water.

“Boss, I think you’re coming down with something.” Friday intervened referring to the green in the face redhead.

“I-I’m ok.” Pepper said as Tony got up 
to
 help her.

“Sit down. We need to talk.”  Tony said quietly gesturing at the spot on the couch next to him.

The tall woman felt her stomach in knots and chose that moment to run in the opposite direction towards the bathroom in their cabin, she wretched out her guts for what seemed like an eternity as the genius pulled her hair back and handed her a 
towell
. It took a little while for her to feel a little close to normal again.

“So, anything on your mind Miss Potts?” Tony said, helping her towards the couch and handing her a glass of water.

“I felt guilty. I felt guilty for liking her because of what happened between you and them and because of what we have but I can’t just pretend 
its
 nothing because I’m not like you. I’m an open book. Oh, God I’m so sorry Tony. You probably hate me for this and I completely understand if you never want to see me again after the mission.” The redhead sobbed and hugged the billionaire, pained at the idea of losing her closest friend.

“You still think I’m that selfish? I want you to be happy Pep. If that’s not with me I can live with that. I still love you with what’s left of my heart and I admire the woman you’ve become. Just promise me you won’t let her bite your head off okay?” Tony said, giving her a half smile.

“I would never, I love you Tony.” Pepper said choking back tears and holding the side of his face lovingly.

“Go get her.” The billionaire said relenting to a hug.

“Please don’t get yourself killed.” Pepper pleaded trying to remember the smell of the man in front of her eyes full of worry.

“I still have one more mission” Tony said softly against the taller woman’s hair.

“Talk to Steve.” Pepper said tentatively biting her lip.

*ENDGAME*

Clint sacrificed himself for the soul stone.

Carol had successfully snapped everyone else back into existence with 
substancial
 damage to her right arm and face.

The woman’s face had shown like a beacon for a few seconds before completely dimming out and leaving behind charred skin on a very unconscious pilot.

“No!” Thor yelled in anguish as he scrambled to reach the blonde woman laying still on the floor. The God couldn’t handle more loss. More good people dying under his watch. More friends fading because of his inability to save them. The 
asgardian
 reached for Carol and shook her a little to see if she would 
stirr
, letting out a breath he didn’t know he had been holding when her eyes peered open.

“It’s bad isn’t it?” Carol asked wincing a little with every word.

“I’ll be fine just get eyes on everyone.” The pilot said too shaken to touch her disfigured face.
 
Those who have seen your face Draw back in fear I am the mask you wear It's me they hear 
Just then 
Clints
  phone rang and the birds chirped once more.

Balance was restored. They weren’t able to save the whole team but the sacrifices that had been made to ensure everyone else’s return would never be forgotten.

“Guys I think it worked!” Scott said happily.

“I-I tried to bring him back. I’m sorry.” Carol said coughing and giving Natasha an apologetic look. Just then something collided with the compound leaving only wreckage in its path. They had been attacked.

Thanos
 had known of their plan leading them on the whole time. A past version of 
Thanos
 with vital information of the future running around was pretty much confirming their worst fears.

Bruce was blown back under the rubble far away from Thor, Tony and Carol and Steve and Natasha’s whereabouts were still unknown.

“Your lightning...throw it at me.” Carol said gasping for air and coughing out dust.

“Are you mad?!” The God of Thunder asked, incredulous.

“Do what she says, Pikachu.” Iron Man said from across the way.

“This is going to hurt.” Thor said as he summoned the skies with 
stormbreaker
  and 
mijonir
  and threw the most charged bolt he could muster against the pilot’s chest.

Major Danvers absorbed the full blast, lifting the offending building off of them. The gauntlet was nowhere to be found and if it fell into the wrong hands all of it would be for nought.

“
Lets
 go find our friends.” Captain Marvel said lighting the way, determined and with a fire in her eyes that just seemed to get brighter with every step.
 
Your/my spirit and your/my voice In one combined The Phantom of the Opera is there Inside your/my mind

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Scott had managed to save 
Rhodey
 and Bruce from drowning inside the compound, finding them and activating the Pym particles in his 
suit  to
 become Giant Man. Meanwhile Natasha worked on keeping the gauntlet away from 
Thanos
’  minions while desperately searching for a pissed off Pepper Potts. 
 
All our times have come Here but now they're gone Seasons don't fear the reaper Nor do the wind, the sun or the rain, we can be like they are 
“Oh good, you’re here!” The spy exclaimed in relief as Nebula appeared, taking the damaged gauntlet off the Russian woman’s hands.

“My father will be so pleased.” The half android/half alien 
woman  replied
, making the Black Widow stop in her tracks.

“You’re betraying us?” Nat, gathered her wits about her and prepared to fight, she needed to get that gauntlet back Clint did not die for this.

As she prepared for the fight an unfamiliar voice interrupted them.

“You don’t need to do this.” It was another alien woman, she seemed to know Nebula, accompanied by 
another
 Nebula. Natasha shook her head and looked at them expecting answers.

“Yes, I do Gamora.” The traitor seemed to snap out of her reverie and address the new threat with defiance.

“It doesn’t have to be this way, Nebula.” 
Gamora  tried
 to reason with her as the other woman raised her weapon. The Nebula that had been helping 
them  shot
 at her doppelganger, instantly killing her.
 
Come on baby, don't fear the reaper Baby take my hand, don't fear the reaper We'll be able to fly, don't fear the reaper Baby I'm your man 
“Our father will be deploying his Army as we speak, we must get to the others. They’re going to need us.” Nebula said nonchalantly as if nothing had happened-handing the gauntlet once again to the spy—reminding her of her mission.

On Tony’s request Pepper had been sent to patrol the skies for any sign of attack and she hadn’t reported back. This made the spy unnerved.

“Please be okay, Pep. I’m coming.” Natasha said to herself quietly as the three women made their way out of the compound’s ruins to join the others.

Iron Man, Captain America, Captain Marvel and Thor were deeply immersed in battle with 
Thanos
 as Rescue fought mercilessly with Proxima Midnight and 
Corvus
 Glaive, Thor lending both Tony’s and Pepper’s armor enough power to make it a fair fight. Proxima Midnight shone a triumphant ugly smile at Rescue as her brother managed to hold her down so she could deliver a killing blow, a blow that never came thanks to the quick action of The Black Widow and Gamora.
 
Valentine is done Here but now they're gone Romeo and Juliet Are together in eternity, Romeo and Juliet 40, 000 men and women everyday, Like Romeo and Juliet 40, 000 men and women everyday, Redefine happiness Another 40, 000 coming everyday, We can be like they are 
The Spy and the alien woman fought well together almost as if choreographed.

“Traitor, father will have your head for this insolence.” Proxima bit out bitterly as she received a nonlethal dagger to the leg and a roundhouse kick that sent her gasping for air.

“I believe he’s already had my head, sister.”  Gamora said, shocking the other woman as the spy took this opportunity to subdue her with her stunners and at that same moment Rescue burned a lethal hole right through 
Corvus
 Glaive; making Proxima 
scream  in
 fury.
 
Come on baby, don't fear the reaper Baby take my hand, don't fear the reaper We'll be able to fly, don't fear the reaper Baby I'm your man 
“NO!” The alien woman screamed angrily, attracting the attention of the mad titan.

Even without the gauntlet 
Thanos
 was a formidable opponent, able to hold off not one but 4 enhanced individuals at once. The Avengers were quickly being outnumbered by approaching 
troops  nearing
 the battlefield. Iron Man fell unconscious for a few seconds as Friday did her best to wake him from his injuries. That blade that 
Thanos
 wielded broke the Captain’s shield in half as Carol aimed another photon blast the titan easily dodged and was sent flying through the air against the rubble from the force of a cannon being shot at her from the approaching armada.  Her body was still healing from the snap and she had already taken substantial damage from the unrelenting blasts.  It was at this moment when both Captains were down 
and  Iron
 Man was trying to recover quickly that the Titan charged angrily  towards Thor forcing 
Stormbreaker
 slowly through his chest. Steve Rogers was not going to let the God die, not like that-not by him.
 
Love of two is one Here but now they're gone Came the last night of sadness And it was clear she couldn't go on 
If at one point he had questioned his worthiness it was because of the wrong that he had done. Watching Tony struggle to stand as Carol coughed out blood and deflected attacks from the air that would’ve killed any of them—he called 
mijonir
  in desperation, in hope. Praying that Bruce and the others had managed to find a way out of the rubble, praying that all the bloodshed would not end in another defeat and the weapon, heard his call and abided it. Right as the God of Thunder was losing hope. The Captain raised the hammer defiantly and sent it crashing down on the titan with as much force as he could muster.

“I knew it!” Thor cheered, his eyes watering with joy something that was rare these days.
 
Then the door was open and the wind appeared The candles blew then disappeared The curtains flew then he appeared, saying don't be afraid 
Thanos
 roared in frustration and ordered all troops to descend on the heroes, in an effort to exterminate them all as Nebula ran from her father’s warriors with the gauntlet while Rescue, Nat and Gamora fought the rest of 
Thanos
 children in 
unison
.

Another crash of lightning and Steve summoned  it from the heavens to strike down the purple giant.

Just as 
Thanos
 and his army were gaining an advantage over them  a familiar voice broke through Steve’s comms.

“Hey, Cap? Are you there? Its, Sam.” The Captain gasped and looked around wildly.

“Where?” He choked out, beginning to feel the war weighing on him.

“On your left.” Just then the blinding shimmering light of a portal opening behind 
him  signaled
 the entrance of the Royal family of Wakanda and out flew Sam Wilson as more portals opened and all the people who were decimated made their astounding return, to help them fight. To help them win. Spiderman landed with a soft thud on the ground removing his mask and taking a deep breath, bracing himself for the fight.  The Winter Soldier walked out as well followed by hundreds of angry sorcerers lead by The 
Sorceror
 Supreme and the rest of the Guardians of the Galaxy as well as the Scarlet Witch.

A furious 
Thanos
 stood in front of his enormous army preparing for the inevitable war to come.

The Avengers and Guardians stood together defiantly and ready to finish it once and for all, waiting.

Captain America lead them all.

“AVENGERS ASSEMBLE!” A 
ferocius
 roar echoed throughout their ranks as he was joined side by side by an angry Captain Marvel, Iron Man and reinvigorated Thor. The Avengers charged, attacking with all their might, doing their 
damndest
 
to  keep
 
the
 gauntlet from falling in  
Thanos
 hands.

Wanda finally got her chance. It had seemed like just minutes before she had both killed the love of her life and had seen him be slaughtered once more by 
Thanos
 in his quest for the mind stone. Her parents, her brother and then Vision—all gone, all killed as a part of some twisted plot to destroy half the universe, she was out for blood. She had that look in her eyes, the look of death, the look of someone who had nothing else to lose. This made her the deadliest Avenger. Her chaos magic fluctuated around her as she flew through the air to face the Titan with a menacing glare.

“You took everything from me!” She exclaimed as used her magic to pick up giant pieces of debris from the wreckage of the compound.

“I don’t even know who you are.” A younger 
Thanos
 said as he braced himself for an attack.

“You will.” Her eyes shone a bloody shade of red as her magic surrounded her and she shot him with a powerful force, sending a barrage of calculated hexes his way, not giving him even a second to recollect himself, intent on murder. She let the hate flow through her veins as she flew through the 
air  and
 super charged her attacks, leaving the Titan in awe of her power. It was a pity he thought, because she would’ve made a powerful ally but her fate was sealed, she would die just like the rest of them. He would let them have their fun. His forces were 
gaining  the
 upper hand, the Avengers wouldn’t last much longer, his army had already broken the dam which kept the annoying sorcerer pretty 
preoccupied
.

As Wanda fights 
Thanos
, Tony faces off with Cull Obsidian taking a powerful punch that knocks the wind right out of him but Giant Man kicks the offensive beast away as Peter swoops in to check on his mentor.

“
Hey! Holy cow. You will not believe what's been going on. Do you remember when we were in space? And I got all dusty? I must've passed out, 
'cause
 I woke up, and you were gone. But Doctor Strange was there, right? He was like, "It's been five years. Come on, they need us!" And then he started doing the yellow sparkly thing that he does all the time...What are you doing?” Peter rambles on and is interrupted as Tony pulls him in for a 
hug  letting
 out a breath of relief he didn’t he bad holding. It was all worth it for this.

“Huh, this is nice.” Peter responds happily.

Meanwhile the Gauntlet is being passed around like a hot potato, so far still out of enemy hands.  
Thanos
 grows restless and desperate as the witch’s attacks get 
dangerously  close
 to finishing him.

“Rain fire!” The Mad Titan commands his lieutenant.

“But sire, our troops.” Ebony Maw tries to reason with Thanos.

“Just do it!” The titan orders.

Thanos
 battle ships start raining down fire on the entire battlefield which throws Wanda off her mark and gives him enough time to get closer to the gauntlet. Natasha passes it to 
T’Challa
 and 
T’Challa
 passes it to Peter who immediately gets ambushed by a hoard of alien adversaries as he commands Karen to activate the instant kill protocol on his suit.

Rescue manages to catch Peter in the nick of time as he’s swinging and throws him safely onto Valkyrie's Pegasus, which tries and fails to get him closer to the van so they can return the stones to their correct place in time. Peter falls on the rubble and suffers major damage to his suit through the onslaught of incoming attacks. Carol lands in front of him and offers some assistance but gets knocked off course by a charging Titan and another firing cannon. The gauntlet falls and rolls on the ground as Thor, Iron Man and Captain America face off with the titan in a growing effort to stop him from snapping his fingers again.  Natasha comes in firing a distinguished alien gun that seems to cause some heavy damage to the frustrated purple giant, which only angers him more as he charges and grabs her by the neck, choking the life out of her  while Carol continues to stop him from closing his fist. Pepper sees this from the sky and flies down with her armor hitting him with a powerful energy blast while Carol tries to pry the gauntlet out of his hand, while she does this Thanos takes the power stone out of the gauntlet with his free hand while deflecting another attack from Rescue and hits the Captain with a powerful blast, leaving the woman injured gravely and laying on the gravel.

Tony’s heart is beating out of his chest joining Pepper in the fight against the titan. The shields in her armor a perfect defense against his vicious attacks.  
Thanos
 hits 
Rescue with a powerful blast that sends her flying a few feet away and right as the titan feels victory in grasp and snaps his fingers, Tony turns to look at Strange one last time before activating the gauntlet mechanism in his suit and taking the stones at once.

Pepper seeing what Tony is about to do, lowers her helmet and gives Friday one last order.

“Friday, Safety lock override. Put me through to Tony.” Tony snaps his fingers but nothing happens, the energy that had engulfed his body seconds before isn’t registering any more, even the titan looks confused.
 
Come on baby, and she had no fear And she ran to him, then they started to fly They looked backward and said goodby, she had become like they are She had taken his hand, she had become like they are Come on baby, don't fear the reaper 
“I-I’m sorry Tony. I can’t let you do this.” And with those last words the red headed woman’s body shined bright like fire, using the enhancements that came as a result of project EXTREMIS to hold on just long enough to send 
Thanos
 and his army straight to hell with a snap of her fingers. Across the field Wanda zips quickly through the air sending curse after curse at anything standing in her path and right before Virginia Pepper Potts disappears a mysterious red light engulfs her body and the explosion is so powerful it knocks everyone back as the 
hoards
 of alien armies disappear into oblivion and Thanos finally accepts his defeat. All that is left is the damaged gauntlet and the stones, the woman who wielded them, gone without a trace.

A blood curdling scream echoes through the battlefield as the Black Widow runs desperately through the rubble and kneels right where the woman she loved stood for the last time and then the tears came and she sat there broken, desolate.

Tony stared into the distance, blocking everything out. Making a fist and slamming it over and over breaking everything in the vicinity. Looking as miserable as ever. Doctor Strange stared at the scene puzzled about what had taken place. The events that had transpired where completely different from what he had seen. Tony Stark was still 
alive,
 he was supposed to die. He floats silently over not daring to get too close to the man.

“YOU! You said, we would win. You said, you could not tell 
me.
 Well we 
won  and
 now she’s dead. Give me one reason Strange, just one why I shouldn’t blast your ass where you stand?!”  Tony said as he shook with rage and glared daggers at the sorcerer, aiming a raised 
repulsor
 at his heart, eyes watering with unshed tears.

“This was not at all how it happened, Stark. Something interfered, there was an outer force at play here, something powerful and beyond my control. Miss Potts was not supposed to die-” The doctor tried to make sense of the situation but only managed to anger the already unstable genius.

“Don’t you, dare. Don’t ever, you don’t get to say her name.” Tony said, dangerously quiet and shaking furiously.

“Mr. Stark, please calm down. He’s-he was just trying to help.” Peter bounded up to Tony, looking solemn and resting a comforting hand on his mentor’s shoulder, making sure to wedge himself between the two men to stop any possible altercation. It seemed to work because Tony took one look at the young man and realized what her sacrifice had meant why Clint’s children would grow up without a father, why their lives would never be the same again.

The funeral was small. Only the Avengers and Pepper’s mother and sister attended he made sure to deliver the news of her death himself, he could barely look the woman in the eyes and tell her,   her daughter had died a hero wearing one of his suits of armor. There were memorials erected in celebration of the lives of Clint Barton and Virginia Pepper Potts. Tony made sure Laura and the kids were taken care of and even opened a foundation in  Pepper’s name to help young women everywhere become the leaders they were born to be. Little girls everywhere wanted to be the Iron Maiden. It was painful but bittersweet.

That was 2 years ago. Ever since that day, the world had changed in more ways than one. More enhanced individuals had made their presence known, they called themselves mutants; people born with the X gene.  Something happened the day Carol snapped her fingers to bring everyone back and no one could’ve predicted the impact it would have on the world. Reports of versions of people who had perished way before the decimation were by the hundred 
thousands
. It was as if the lines between universes were blurred. It just meant more fighting, more problems, more headaches to deal with—so Tony drank.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

I, I wish you could swim Like the dolphins Like dolphins can swim 
Tony hadn’t been the same since the day they fought 
Thanos
. The only thing that kept him going was Peter and even he struggled to get his mentor, father figure to see the that great sacrifice and all the good that had come of it. The world hadn’t exactly recovered from it, all the people displaced by the snap suddenly reappearing out of thin air had created problems all over the world. Confusion and chaos ran amok. Some of the people that returned, returned to empty homes and broken marriages. Others were never a part of this world to begin with, energy continued to cascade throughout the universe, revealing different anomalies and more dangers for the Avengers to face.
 
Though nothing, nothing will keep us together We can beat them, forever and ever Oh, we can be heroes just for one day 
Tony was tired of it, the fighting the constant attacks on their world but he would do everything he could to protect what Pepper had given her life for. He poured another glass of whiskey and watched her on surveillance, ignoring Friday’s pleas that he 
get
 some rest and that this was not healthy. Peter was constantly checking on him but between him, college and his super hero responsibilities a lot went unsaid. Tony refused to talk about 
it  even
 though Peter begged him to seek help. He shut himself off. The Avengers were still defending the Earth from any and all threats and after Tony got the Rogues pardoned bringing up their involvement in the war against the titan, the team grew. James Barnes was added to the roster as well as Hope Van Dyne and Scott Lang. Although the Winter Soldier had tried to apologize for murdering the genius’ parents both in person and in the form of a letter; the inventor avoided the Rogues at all costs only showing up to blast things and leave without so much as small talk. 
 
, I will be King And you, you will be Queen Though nothing will drive them away We can be heroes just for one day We can be us just for one day 
It was even harder for Tony to face 
Stephen Strange,
 the doctor was elusive to say the least—showing up to assist less than Tony as he had declined many offers to officially join the Avengers. Peter suspected it was out of respect for Tony and guilt for what had happened to Miss Potts. It was only after the doctor had saved Tony’s life on an unexpected mission in Venice that the inventor had finally relented and agreed to have coffee with the other man if only to avoid a meddlesome Captain America who seemed to think he was made of glass and needed a big strong man to save his skin. The only reason he had accepted the doctor’s assistance was because he knew how much the man’s presence irked the super soldier. Even to this day Tony refused to be left alone in a room with Steve Rogers.
 
I, I can remember (I remember) Standing by the wall (By the wall) And the guns, shot above our heads (Over our heads) And we kissed, as though nothing could fall (Nothing could fall) 
Stephen Strange pretended not to notice the tension between the two men although Peter’s 
exasperated
 sighs and rants of annoyance made that very difficult during their training sessions. It was after learning that Wanda Maximoff had mind warped his mentor that the doe eyed brunette came knocking at the Sanctum’s door, asking to be trained. Upon learning about what she had done to the genius the doctor had agreed to train Peter on the mystic arts and the young man was quite astute.  This drove Stephen to delve deeper into the witch’s chaos magic. Unlike his own skills hers were influenced by pain and darkness, although she had learned to control them—the doctor still kept her on his radar, not completely sure about the damage she had caused Tony but at the same time not willing to let his guard down lest she try that again.
 
And the shame, was on the other side Oh, we can beat them, forever and ever Then we could be heroes just for one day 
Stephen had grown very fond of the young man, who seemed to be growing up into a fine scientist and hero in his own right. He poured over his biochemistry studies, and was always absorbing anything and everything the older man had to teach him; about music, magic and life.
 
We can be heroes We can be heroes We can be heroes just for one day We can be heroes 
Tony became a little suspicious that the younger man was hiding something from him months ago when he realized the kid had learned how to deactivate Karen’s GPS and go dark all on his own...either that or someone was helping him. Peter had blown him off for the past week because “he had to study” so Tony being Tony coped the only way he knew how, since 
Rhodey
 was away on a mission with Nebula: he drank and watched old videos of Pepper.

Unbeknownst to the engineer, someone had taken a vast interest in him. An old enemy of Stephen Strange. Karl 
Mordo
 had been targeting magic users and stealing their essence for himself, determine to set back the natural order. Tony Stark was an abomination. The man had no mystic skills but was egotistic enough to invent time travel and break the natural law just as Strange had done and if he was going to end the Sorcerer Supreme, he was going to hit him at home. He had been watching the inventor for months and noticed the two men spending more time around each other as well as that child, teaching that child the mystic arts while he was already enhanced was an insult and a disgusting show of candor.  He took his opportunity, knowing the genius’ pupil was out with Strange, the other sorcerer struck him square in the chest with a powerful curse that immediately began to consume the man. 
Mordo
 was powerful but he wasn’t foolish—attacking Tony Stark while he was in all his senses was suicide even with his magic, the man was a force to be reckoned with.

“Your time will come, Stark.” He said as he grinned darkly at the fallen man as alarms sounded in the tower and Friday began calling for backup.

Rhodey
 was the first on the scene as 
Mordo
 disappeared through a portal.

*PRESENT TIME*

“Talk to him, Stephen.” Peter pleaded with the stubborn 
sorcerer
.

“He won’t understand. I don’t need help.” Stephen said dismissing the idea and calmly taking a sip of his green tea.

“You don’t know 
that,
 besides he deserves a chance. He’s been in hell since she died and all Captain Righteous does is make matters worse by constantly trying to control any 
situation
 he’s with him in. You saw what he did to him. The guy doesn’t know when to quit.” Peter said, sobering up a little as he summoned a cup of hot coffee earning a small glare from the doctor.

“Stark’s personal problems aren’t any of my concern.” Stephen said sighing quietly and looking away from the younger man.

“I don’t know Doc, it seemed pretty personal between you and the Captain back there. Care to explain that or should I just jump to my own conclusions?” Peter said smirking at the other man defiantly and standing up to stretch.

“I don’t know what you’re implying--” Stephen said furrowing his eyebrows in annoyance at the audacity of the younger man.

“You forget I’m not a kid anymore Stephen. You two argue like an old married 
couple  and
 you just basically punched his douche of an ex. How are your hands by the way?” The young man said with a grin as he reached over to check on the 
sorcerer
.

“
Its
 DR. STEPHEN STRANGE and I don’t appreciate this tone you’ve taken with me. My hands are fine.” The older man said standing rather abruptly in a huff as the cloak billowed behind him in indignation at the sudden movement.

“If 
its
 any consolation. I think my dad likes you too.” Peter said scratching his head and stepping closer to the other man as he let out an inaudible gasp, those spider senses came in handy sometimes.

“
Its
  dangerous. I’m no better than Rogers, I hurt him too Peter.” The doctor relented finally allowing himself to be honest with his apprentice.

“The man fought with us in space against a psychotic grape and banked everyone’s lives on what you told him. He trusts you and yes you hurt him but it wasn’t on purpose and you didn’t lie to him—you're nothing like Captain America.” Peter said lifting a slender hand to 
cup
 the sorcerer's chin and make him look at him. What he saw in those blue grey eyes was a deep sadness, that the young man was sure the sorcerer rarely let anyone see.

“I still failed him.  It was either his life or her life. I was unable to save 
everyone,
 this is why I’m better off dealing with these matters on my own. This way no one else gets hurt.” The older man explained looking away, hands shaking at his sides.

“Stephen Strange, you cut that out right now. You’re the coolest wizard and you saved my life! My dad deserves to be happy too and I’d rather it be with you than with someone who left him to die in the middle of nowhere.” Peter said, looking at the man directly in the eyes and pulling him in for a fierce hug.

This was Peter’s special super power, breaking down barriers and getting to the heart of every situation. Peter Parker was the best of them and the Doctor was honored to work alongside the young prodigy. Both men collected themselves after a moment, being startled out of their thoughts by an incident report from Karen.

There was some sort of commotion a few blocks away from Bleeker Street and he was in no shape to fight on his own so Stephen offered to help. Mainly out of worry that the younger man would take it too far and not give his wound time to properly heal.

“What’s up Karen, what are we dealing with?” Spiderman asked as he pulled down his mask and swung down the street followed close behind by the 
sorcerer
.

“It appears to be an escalating fight between two 
alien
 like, life forms. 
Its
 nothing my database can register.” The A.I informed him as he made his way over being careful not to over exert himself as the stitches were still sensitive to damage. Stephen had instructed him not to attempt to use magic until after the wound had permanently healed, helping Tony with the curse had prolonged the process.

What they encountered was nothing like Peter had ever seen before. One of the creatures was an ink black hue  with a long serpentine tongue and the other one, the more eratic alien like creature was the color of burned flesh and seemed intent on causing total wreckage, it was cannibalistic in nature.

“CARNAGE, GO HOME!” The 
jet black
 creature roared as he threw a car at the erratic symbiote.

“WHY GO HOME WHEN I CAN MAKE THIS MY HOME, VENOM?!” The psychotic flesh colored symbiote exclaimed as he laughed in a deranged fashion and grabbed a terrified bystander only to eat him whole, prompting Spiderman to act and throw a web grenade in order to subdue the  thrashing monster.

“GET OUT OF HERE, I’ve got this!” Eddie yelled at Spiderman as Venom subsided for a second revealing the man underneath the monster.

“I’m not going to let you eat people.” Peter said approaching both creatures as the 
sorcerer
 muttered protective spells and put up shields around him, bracing for the fight to come.

“What’s this Eddie? You 
brought  me
 some appetizers? Carnage likes appetizers.”  The guttural voice of the fleshy symbiote rang out, sending an involuntary chill down Peter’s spine. Somehow the monster managed to cut through the webbings which was a first for Peter.

“ We
 need a plan, this thing whatever it is, it doesn’t seem to be listening to its host. The other one, the one there seems more subdued, like the man behind it is driving the monster. 
Peter
 we need to find a way to separate that thing from whatever poor soul it has trapped.” Doctor Strange said, aiming his red bands of 
cytorrak
 at the charging creature and managing to stop it in its tracks if only for a moment.

“That's not going to work.” The other symbiote said as he prepared himself for another attack.

“V, is right. This thing is stronger than we are.” The older man behind the alien symbiote said already looking exhausted.

“You mean to tell me you’re trying to stop this, whatever this thing is?!” Spiderman said incredulously looking between both creatures.

“It was a mistake ok, kid? I went to interview this psychopath in prison about his killings and a piece of Venom stayed 
behind  and
 latched itself onto him. Venom eats what I tell him to eat. Mostly degenerates and human garbage but this thing doesn’t care. I stopped it before it made a buffet out of an entire elementary school and unless you and that wizard have any bright 
ideas
 we are all in for a world of hurt. 
Lets
 go V!” Eddie yelled as the symbiote enveloped him once more and the monstrous inky black creature lunged at the restrained symbiote trying to reabsorb it. At 
this  the
 fleshy looking feign dodged the attack and shook off the red bands, looking angrier and more blood 
thirsty
 than before.

“HUNGRY.” A growl emitted from the creature as he slammed an axe made out of his own flesh against the other symbiote rendering him 
unconscious
 for a few seconds while Venom smacked the man awake.

The creature came charging at Doctor Strange and Spiderman with a famished look on its ugly face. The doctor through a few quick counter spells at the behemoth to no avail, allowing the cloak to steer him out of 
harms
 way while he thought of a solution, before he could think of something a yelp of pain came from his apprentice as the creature took a hold of the 
Spiderling’s
 neck licking its lips for good measure and opening its huge  cavernous jaw in anticipation of a great meal. Peter’s eyes widened as he struggled to get out of the towering monster’s grasp, feeling like a deer in the headlights with no way out and bracing himself to be beheaded until a loud sound echoed through the street.

Leave it to Deadpool to show up playing the bag 
pipes ,
 loudly and annoyingly.  Peter deadpanned, pretty sure he was a dead man now, any second the creature would eat his head and use his body as leftovers. Surprisingly however, the creature seemed in despair, not just annoyed but in pain. The sound was driving it mad and away from the deranged host. He was not the only one being affected, it seemed that the noise was a weakness these creatures shared. The man “Eddie” ran in the opposite direction away from the sound as Carnage was blasted and taken down a peg by a mysterious younger woman with a crew cut.

“Awe look, she cares. Its 
Negasonic
 Teenage Longest Name Ever.” The 
merc
 said aloud as he set the bag pipes down and went to go check on Peter.

“You’re welcome 
douchepool
.” The snarky teenager replied as huge armor truck pulled up, driven by a combat ready woman with an afro that’d make Black Dynamite jealous.

“Hey, I found this huge syringe. I guess lady luck thought it would be helpful, so we can save your boyfriend or whatever.”  The lady with the afro said, using the thing to collect the specimen from the injured host. Carnage did get his meal though, managing to bite off Deadpool’s right arm while he was distracted by the younger guy who was definitely not his boyfriend.

“
Domino,  he’s
 not 
uh..just
 leave the sarcasm to the master ok?” Deadpool said, sounding slightly 
annoyed  and
 barely noticing the creature bit off a limb before it was safely placed in containment.

“I think I’m 
gonna
 be sick.” Peter said, lifting his mask and throwing up on the pavement.

“Excuse my French here but who the hell are you people?” Stephen Strange said with a raised eyebrow as he surveyed the scene.

“X-Force.” Deadpool said exaggerating a pose and failing because of his missing arm which was starting to regenerate.

Cable got out of the truck at that moment so he could light a cigarette.

“They’re a bunch of idiots playing super heroes.” The time traveler said as he looked on, unimpressed at the wreckage.

“That’s not nice Cable. We are all friends even though Deadpool is not so smart, he tries.” Colossus said as walked over to join them.

“You guys are embarrassing me in front of the Avengers.” Deadpool  said crossing his arms along with the baby arm currently protruding from where his regular arm used to be which earned a disgusted look from his team, a raised eyebrow from the doctor and a gasp from Spiderman.

“Okay, that’s enough web slinging for me today. Adios, I’m calling it a day Stephen. Cannibal aliens, baby arms and teenage nukes. Nope, I’m good that’s enough for me. Portal me home. 
Oh
 and think about what I said. Talk to him.” Spiderman said shaking his head in disbelief and looking over at the odd bunch one last time before Stephen opened a portal for him to his apartment, before he stepped in he looked over at Deadpool pulled off his mask, took a breath of fresh air and smiled.

“Thanks, Wade.” And with that Peter was gone, leaving a 
startruck
 Deadpool in his wake.

“Close your mouth Wade, you'll catch flies like that.” Domino said, hitting the 
merc
 
lighly
 on his side while the rest of them figured out what to do with the symbiote and the detained host.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Tony huffed out in annoyance. The kid was mad at him and to top it off Steve refused to leave the tower until he spoke with him. The rest of the team had dissipated and he cursed himself for picking see through panels for his workshop.  There was nothing he could do to stop the other man from constantly trying to meet his gaze.

“You should talk to him, Tones. I know he’s a jerk but this thing between you two is affecting all of us.” 
Rhodey
 said as he  cautiously tried to broach the subject with the mechanic.

“There’s nothing he can say to me.” Tony responded, still dodging the super soldier’s gaze.

“Do it for Pepper. You need to heal from this, whatever this is remember  she wanted you to be happy and you have friends here. You’re not alone, You’ve got your whole family.” 
Rhodey
 said as he got up to leave only stopping to give the other man a tender hug. At the mention of the woman’s name a dam in the genius’ broke and he held back a well of tears only uttering a small pained gasp in response.

“A-alright, tell him to come in.” He said as he did his best to collect himself before the super soldier all but lit up and ran in the shop.
 
I saw her today, I saw her face 
It was the face I loved, and I knew 
I had to run away 
Tony straightened up and sat up immediately putting up his PR mask.

“Cap.” He said in acknowledgement with a nod of the head.

Just that one word seemed to strike the other man across the face, stopping him in his tracks before he got closer to the other man.

“Tony, I have a name. We can skip the formalities...” The blonde said, lowering his eyes at the tiles and fidgeting with his hands nervously. If Tony knew any 
better
 he would think the man was uneasy, scared? He let out an audible snort.

“Okay, what do you want Steven?” Tony’s eyes darkened in frustration as he raised his head to look at the other man directly, for a second just for a second letting his mask down long enough to let the super soldier see the pain in them, the hurt.
 
And get down on my knees and pray, that they go away 
Still it begins 
Needles and pins 
Because of all my pride 
The tears I gotta hide 
“I-I never meant to hurt you. Bucky is my best friend and I know that doesn’t make what I did right but you have to understand.” The other man looked 
shaken,
 his voice quivered as his eyes cast down reflecting the shame Tony hadn’t known he could even feel.

At that moment Tony let out a sigh of exasperation  and threw his hands up in the air.

“
Thats
 the thing isn’t it?! You never gave me the opportunity to understand! You took it upon yourself to decide for me, whether I could handle the information or not. Whatever Mr. Barnes did under Hydra’s mind control barrels down to a hostage like situation. He wasn’t in control of his 
actions,
 he was forced to kill. My 
parents
 deaths are at the feet of Hydra, Mr. Barnes was a victim. That’s how I made sense of it but you knew, you knew what had happened and couldn’t respect me enough to tell me the truth. Had you given me a chance the Avengers wouldn’t have broken up and we could’ve helped Mr. Barnes sooner. Finding that information out the way that I did and having to face my parent’s killer was too much all at once and then instead, instead of talking you left me to die in the middle of nowhere. For a long 
time
 I blamed myself but you could’ve prevented this too.” Tony’s voice got louder with every word until he was standing, face contorted in pain. Steve wanted nothing more than to take Tony in his arms and beg him for forgiveness. 
 
Oh, I thought I was smart, I stole her heart 
Didn't think I'd do, but now I see 
She's worth to him than me, let her go ahead 
Take his love instead, and one day she will see 
It hadn’t occurred to the super soldier that the other 
man  had
 actually put serious thought into the situation and came to a reasonable conclusion. Absentmindedly he acknowledged Thor was right. He did do his best to try to control every situation,

“Tony I-...please forgive me.” The Captain said as he looked at the other man. Tony’s hands were shaking fists at his sides and he knew the mechanic was trying hard not to lose his composure.

Steve took two steps forward and grasped the other man gently by the chin, eyes pleading.

“No! Don’t touch me.” Tony said flinching away from his touch as if it burned. The genius’ breathing became erratic then as he clutched his chest.  Steve wanted to help but he knew it was better if he kept his distance.
 
Just how to say please 
And get down on her knees 
Oh that's how it begins, she'll feel those needle and pins 
Hurtin' her, hurtin' her 
Why can't stop, and tell myself I'm wrong, I'm wrong, so wrong? 
“Boss, you need to calm 
down-your
 pulse is accelerating.” Friday’s voice rang through the room.

At that, the tears that had been threatening to spill over finally came and then the mechanic took off his shirt quickly. Tears slowly marring his features.

“You see this? This, was your parting gift. This was what you did to me with the shield my father made.” Tony gestured angrily at a long scar across his chest grabbing the other man’s hand to slam it against it.

“Four broken ribs and over a year of physical therapy while my best friend learned to walk again, all because you couldn’t trust me.” Tony said, shaking and looking away from Steve as the memories came flooding back. Angry at himself for being unable to not crumble under it all.

“I’m sorry. I was stupid. I know there’s nothing I can say now to get you to forgive me and I have a bad way of showing how much I care. I’m not good at this. I’ve never been good at this. For an old man I’m not very wise...” At this Tony laughed incredulously and raised an eyebrow as he wiped his face.

“You care? You almost kill me to run off with your war buddy and suddenly you care about me? Bullshit, Rogers.” Tony had, had enough of this and made to leave.

“Don’t, please don’t go.” Steve said, catching the inventor by the hand and pulling him back doing his best not to use anything other than his regular strength.

“You know what Rogers? At least I don’t lie to myself. I know who I am.” Tony said as he ripped his arm away from the Captain’s grasp and continued on his way out.
 
Why can't I stand up, and tell myself I'm strong? 
Because, saw her today, I saw her face 
It was the face of love, and I knew 
I had to run away, yeah 
“It was a different time. Things like this they were frowned upon and I suppose it even still is. We fought alongside each other for so long, I confused what I felt 
for..friendship
 and in the end I hurt you and if I could take it all back I would. Please, stay.” The other man pleaded as he walked over slowly to the genius, running his hands up and down the other man’s arms gently, willing the brunette to look at him. Tony’s eyes went wide and suddenly his mouth felt dry and he couldn’t think clearly. Steve took this opportunity to move closer to the inventor and take the other man’s face in his hands and slowly bent down to plant a chaste kiss on the shocked genius. Steve drew back feeling more vulnerable than he’d ever felt before still holding on to Tony’s hands while he gave the genius time to process what happened. 
 
And get down on my knees and pray, that they go away 
Still it begins 
Needles and pins 
Because of all my pride 
The tears I gotta hide 
The two men in the workshop remained so engrossed in each other that they had failed to see two other people on the opposite side of the glass. An angry looking 
sorceror
 who had 
portaled
 in to apologize and a hurt looking Asgardian God of Thunder. Upon seeing the kiss between the Captain and the engineer Stephen’s hands turned into fists and made the hand symbols to create another portal before the genius noticed his presence being only momentarily halted by Thor who asked quietly if he could join the doctor for a drink at his quarters. Seeing no way out of it, the doctor nodded and both men left the scene wanting to get as far away from them as possible.
 
Hey, needles and pins 
Needles and pins 
Needles and pins 
The only reason the doctor had agreed to have a drink with the God is because he felt a mutual comradery with the Asgardian who didn’t look like he was fairing much better than him. Part of him wanted to pry but the more analytical side of him told him it was none of his business and he certainly didn’t want to discuss his own love life with the Asgardian either. 
So  instead
 of talking to break the awkward tension in the room the 
sorcerer
 summoned a beer stein for the God and a tea for himself as he settled in to read a book to give the other man some space. Much to Stephens chagrin however, the God was in a talkative mood and the subject was uncomfortable to say the least.

“They’re going to hurt each other again.” Thor said, taking a violent gulp of the mead and slamming it down on the table making it shake. Stephen rolled his eyes at this and uttered a sigh of annoyance.

“And if they do, 
its
 not our problem is it?” 
Stephen
 
responded ,
 irritated and wanting to forget what he had seen, trying and failing to convince himself that no that wasn’t jealousy coursing through his veins and Tony was free to do and be with whoever he wanted.

“How can you of all people say that, Strange?!” The God demanded, insulted by the 
sorcerer's
 nonchalant attitude towards their predicament.

“More importantly why does it bother you so much?” The doctor 
asked  the
 God , finally placing his book down.

“Because, Tony is my friend and 
Steven..Steven
 is special.” The God stumbled over his words immediately taking another drink of his ale to mask his revulsion of what he had seen. The doctor’s eyes paused at that and he looked up at the other man.

“Well aren’t we a pathetic pair.” Stephen relented smiling in spite of himself, beginning to understand the situation a little better.

“They’re not good for each other.” The God replied as he caught on to the double entendre the doctor had thrown at him.

“That’s not for us to decide. I just want Tony to be happy. If you truly love the Captain you would want that too.” Stephen said, taking a sip of his tea willing himself not to think about that kiss because when he 
did
 he felt like a sharp knife was going through his chest slowly which made him grip the tea cup much harder than he had to until it broke.

“I want him to be happy too...” The Asgardian's eyes were downcast like an incoming storm.

“He doesn’t know, does he?”  Stephen asked tentatively as he cleaned the mess with a wave of his hand. Thor’s response to that question was a bitter laugh and another swig of his beer.

*BACK AT THE LAB*

It wasn’t that Tony hadn’t dreamt of what a kiss from the Captain would feel like, it was that he was taken aback by the sudden confession. Of all the times that he had pictured a moment like this between himself and the soldier, 
it  had
 been followed by entirely different feelings than he was plagued with now. He had been in love with the man for so long and the Civil War had strained their relationship to its limit, that he had in the end convinced himself nothing would come of it and his feelings weren’t reciprocated. He was confused, conflicted. On the one hand Tony forgave the other man but he knew he no longer loved him the way he had before. He knew that those feelings had long departed, the moment their lips touched and for some odd reason his thoughts kept going back to a tall wizard with 
devastatingly
 grey blue eyes.

Tony being Tony wanted to test his theory, because he was a scientist after all. So planted another kiss on the soldier for good measure. This time taking the lead and deepening it while pushing the stunned Captain 
against  the
 wall closest to them and ravishing him the way he had in one of his many fantasies. The other man all but 
whimpered
 at the genius’ touch and then Tony pulled back with a smack of his lips and a pensive look on his face.

“Huh, well.” Tony said biting his bottom lip nervously and refusing to look at the other man who was currently breathing hard and flustered.

“Tony, what-what was 
that?”Steve
 stuttered, trying and failing to compose himself. Well 
apparently
 that kiss had gotten the soldier’s motor running judging by the tent adorning his slacks. Tony felt heat creep up to his face and bounced from one foot to the other.

“I wanted to see. It was an experiment that blew up in my face.  I 
gotta
 tell 
ya
 Cap I wasn’t expecting this. I figured if either of us ever got the guts to say something we would be doing a lot more than making out like a pair of horny teenagers but I don’t think I feel the same way 
any more
. I don’t think I’ve felt the same for quite some time, it took me longer to figure out. I forgive you but as far us anything more happening, it’s a hard pass.”  Tony explained, taking a few steps back from the other man and giving him space. The Captain didn’t take rejection very well and just looked at the genius like he had been shot with a 
repulsor
 in the face, mouth open agape, eyes like steel.

“I see.” Steve said in an uncharacteristically low voice, avoiding the other man’s gaze and quietly walking out of the laboratory. Tony sank down on his couch, mulling over what had just happened trying to make sense of it all. He was casually interrupted by Friday.

“Boss?” The A.I 
prodded
.

“Yes dear?” Tony sighed scratching his head and mumbling about stupid egotistical jerk doctors.

“I thought you’d like to know you had a visitor while you were erm, having your discussion with the Captain.” The A.I informed him almost fearful she was about to be chastised. At this Tony looked up from his musings.

“Show me the footage.” Tony instructed while he took a sip of his now cold coffee. What he saw made him spill the contents of the cup on his jeans. In the footage, he could clearly see the Captain getting closer to him and kissing him while a familiar wizard 
materialized  just
 outside of his shop looking pissed as all hell and accompanied by a very jealous looking Asgardian. Tony swallowed. He rolled back the footage. The look on Stephen’s face, he looked hurt, heartbroken, devastated but Stephen being Stephen immediately hid it and took off with the God.

“Shit. Friday, call Peter.”  Tony said as he paced nervously around his lab.

Tony had sounded panicked over the phone so Peter 
portaled
 his way into the lab immediately looking worried.

“I need to ask you something and I need you to be honest with me okay, son?” Tony said looking over at the younger man in a determined fashion.

“Okay.” Peter agreed, somehow relieved that his father didn’t appear upset with him still.

“Stephen Strange, you know wizard, goatee, pizza supreme or whatever-he hates 
me
 right?” Tony said as he took a step closer to the younger man, surveying his reaction to 
the  question
.

“I-I don’t know what you mean. I mean he saved your life and you’re always 
fighting..
” Peter said looking nervous and wanting very much to 
run away
 from the conversation only succeeding in getting a red tint on his face.

Tony narrowed his eyes.

“Okay, spill.” Tony said as he cornered the 
arachnid.

“Um, well you see funny story. This other wizard guy whose mad at Stephen targeted you because he thinks  there's something going on between you two and I wasn’t supposed to say anything because well Stephen asked me not to because he didn’t want you to know that I think he’s kind of in love with you or whatever so that spell he used to get you out of the void, it has consequences and if Stephen can’t get rid of that thing its going to come back, drain his magic and kill him along with a bunch of its creepy friends.” Peter said, talking really fast scratching his head and making to swing out of that door as fast as possible.

“HE WHAT?!” Tony yelled incredulously, making the younger man stop in his tracks. Tony stomped right over to Peter and threw up his hands.

“Don’t shoot the messenger?” The chocolate eyed brunette said with a half smile.

“Oh no 
no
 
no
. You’re not getting off that easy. You’re coming with me to the sanctum, young man and we’re going to figure out how to help that stubborn jackass whether he likes it or not!” Tony, said boiling with irritation as he instructed Peter to do his thing and portal them there.

“Stark, what are you doing here?” Stephen said, looking a little surprised and throwing an annoyed look at the 
Spiderling’s
 direction.

“He knows.” Peter relented, looking down at his feet avoiding the doctor’s eyes.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Thor cleared his throat to break the 
deafening
 silence in the room. Something was very odd about this scenario and the God intended to find out because if Tony wasn’t with Steven, something was wrong.

“Tony, where’s Steven?” The blonde God asked as he rose to his feet...beer forgotten on the table.

Tony paused from glaring at the sorcerer to address the Asgardian.

“The Captain is back at the tower 
somewhere,
 we had a minor disagreement,” Tony said, looking away from the God and refusing to elaborate. Knowing Tony wasn’t going to say anything more, he got up to leave-the doctor being gracious enough to wave his hands and create a portal for him to get back to the tower.

“Thank you, Strange.” Thor gave him a nod and half-smile before leaving, determined to find the super-soldier.

As the God left and the portal closed behind him Stephen braced himself, crossing his arms taking a few steps back from the engineer and settling down on the chair to continue reading his book as if the other man weren’t glaring daggers at him.

“You owe me an explanation.” To that the other man uttered a bitter chuckle, not looking up to meet those angry brown eyes.

“I’m not doing this again,” Peter said standing in between both of them as he’d done so many times before. He leveled both of them with a frustrated look of disappointment.

“Whatever do you mean, Peter?” The doctor said, in an irritatingly calm voice that made Peter lose his cool.

“You two, this,” the brown-eyed young man gestured between the two men.

“I have to agree with the pompous jackass over there. I have no idea what you’re referring to.” Tony said, crossing his arms as well and giving Peter an expectant look.

“Titan was enough for me. I had to endure light-years of this crap. Just kiss and get it the hell over with. I’m done playing referee, you fight like an old married couple.” The curly-haired brunette said a little too loud, throwing his hands up in the air in defeat and walking right out of the room before either of them could stop him muttering something about idiot geniuses and daft 
sorcerers
. The Sanctum shook with the force in which Peter slammed the doors to leave. He needed to get away from them, just for a few hours. 
So
 he did the best thing he knew how to do to calm himself, he went swinging around New York, blocking out the sounds of traffic while he listened to the 
Adicts
 --tunes provided by Karen, so as to not obstruct his movements. He raised his arm to shoot another web at an old dilapidated building before
 wincing a little in pain, the 
gunshot
 wound was healing but it was still tender and sensitive to movement. He swung his way atop the building and took his mask off just to get a whiff of fresh air.
 
my mother told me off she said i had done wrong she said id been a bad bad boy she said i make her sad she said i drive her mad and now she's taking all my toys 
It smelled like blood. He almost turned green at it. Looking down at the alley below he noted the source of the pungent smell: Deadpool.

Deadpool was beating a scumbag to a pulp, he braced himself to go down there and stop him before he killed another person but was surprisingly stopped in his tracks by what the merc did next. Instead of cutting up the frightened degenerate, the mercenary sheathed back his Katanas and tied up the bruised up, bleeding but still alive offender and attached a note to him before walking away-catching Peter’s attention enough to go down there and read the note while Karen notified the authorities.

“You told me to stop 
unaliving
 these pieces of trash.”- DP

Peter couldn’t help but smile under his mask and follow in the direction the mercenary went which was weird because the other guy sure knew how to disappear quickly. There was no sign of him. He was about to give up when a noise caught his attention. The mercenary was perched on some rusted stairs in a dark alley close by singing along to the Clash, in an 
overexaggerated
 manner to Should I Stay or Should I Go. Peter rolled his eyes.
 
oh, I've been a bad bad boy oh, I've been bad oh, I've been a bad bad boy oh, I've been bad and now she keeps me in I'm payin for my sin the door is locked i can't go out i have apologized oh, how I've really tried not to be a bad boy

“Oh, hey Webs. Looking stunning as per usual.” The 
merc
 said as he wiggled his eyebrows at the hero.

“Well I still have no idea what you look like, Wade,” Peter said crossing his arms and glaring at the older man.

“I don’t want to give you nightmares. 
It's
 for your own good Spidey.”  The mercenary said as his voice dropped to a serious tone for just a moment.

“You know, I wish people stopped trying to protect me. I’m Spider-Man, not some guy who needs saving. I can throw a car if I want to.” Peter said irritated at the other man and pacing back and forth.

“I-I know that. I know all about you.” The older man admitted stepping down from the stairs and walking up to the annoyed arachnid trying his hardest to ignore the boxes in his head telling him he’s just going to scare the poor guy away.

“I don’t know anything about you.” The younger man admitted quietly tensing a little as the 
merc
 got closer and laid a tentative hand on his shoulder.

“If you really 
wanna
 see this thing, I’m not going to show you here where everyone can hear you scream. So where to, darlin’?” Deadpool said as he pulled the younger man lush against his body and ran 
a  soft
 gloved hand down that perfect round ass, pinching it for good measure making Peter go red under his mask.

“Ugh you 
gotta
 stop doing stuff like that, I have to concentrate,” Spider-Man said as he waved his arms quickly opening up another portal; this time to his flat gesturing for the other man to follow him. Once the portal closed behind them Peter took off his mask and sat down on his bed motioning for the 
merc
 to do the same, Deadpool just sat on the floor against the wall-legs pulled up to his chest.
 
oh, I've been a bad bad boy oh, I've been bad oh, I've been a bad bad boy oh, I've been bad 
“You got anything to drink? You’re 
gonna
 need it if we’re really doing this thing.” The sharpshooter said, unusually tense. At this, Peter shot a web at one of his cabinets and caught a bottle of whiskey in one of his hands while he produced two glasses from under his bed. He poured a hefty amount in both glasses and handed one to the other man, waiting. Instead of turning away to drink from the glass Deadpool pulled up his mask just a little so he could empty the contents of the cup being careful about not meeting the brunette’s eyes. He left the mask pulled up over his lips trying hard not to jump out of the window.
 
you tried to help me out but all we do is shout why should we act this way my love for you is strong but i keep doing wrong ill always be a bad bad boy 
Peter looked at the other man with a growing curiosity his head cocked to the side while he gulped down the whiskey. He noticed what looked like scars and burns on the other man’s chin and lips being careful not to scare the other man off he got up slowly and approached the 
merc
 shedding the top of his suit so he could feel without obstruction.

“Did it hurt?” Peter asked quietly running a finger over the other man’s bottom lip, feeling the scarred tissue and trying not to wince at what kind of injuries a person had to have endured to leave such a lasting mark.

“Like hell,” Wade admitted bitterly. The first and last time he felt pain.

“Can I see it? I want to see your whole face.” The doe-eyed brunette asked not wanting to just unmask the other man before he was ready.

“Just promise not to scream.” The mercenary requested lenses blinking nervously up at the younger man before he lifted the rest of the mask off slowly. Peter took in the other man’s appearance thoughtfully making sure not to do anything that might insult the vulnerable man in front of him. There was scarred and burned patches of skin covering all of the exposed skin but he paused when he looked into those stunning blue eyes. Something in Peter snapped
 and he closed the distance between them pressing his body against Wade’s and kissing him softly, running a hand down his spine. Wade gasped into the kiss willing himself not to cry in front of Peter. Ever since Vanessa had been murdered, he hadn’t let anyone see him like this. He doubted anyone else could’ve stomached it.

“Now I’m starting to think you have a Freddy Kreuger kink,” Wade said as he chuckled and the brunette hit him softly on the arm.

“
It's
 not that bad you jerk. You had me thinking it was an age thing.” Peter said as he peppered Wade’s face with light kisses making the older man smile. Peter nipped at the other man’s ear lobe playfully whispering to follow him to the bed, the other man obliged and quickly unzipped and shed the rest of his suit.

“As you wish, dear,” Wade said with a wide smile bearing it all for the arachnid to see.

“Seriously, Wade?” Peter laughed as he took one look at the Spider-Man boxers the other man wore.

“Oh yeah, babe I ship it,” Wade said as he shook his hips suggestively earning a giggle from Peter,

“You’re amazing,” Peter said between snickers as he finished taking off his own suit and lifted a finger to call the other man over. Peter pulled Wade down for a hard kiss running a gentle hand down the 
mercenaries
 back, sometimes forgetting about his enhanced strength, eliciting a soft moan from the marksman.

“Why Peter Parker, how forward of you,” Wade said in mock shock and smiling into the kiss while the brunette licked his bottom lip deepening the kiss and 
soon
 they were a tangle of limbs and sheets on the bed, bodies rubbing 
needily
 against each other still not completely naked. Peter ran his hands down the 
mercenary's
 muscular body, snaking one under his boxers taking hold of the other man’s already slick erection. The devious brunette grinned into the mercenaries mouth as he ran his thumb across the tip of his cock, eliciting a growl from the other man, running a strong hand up and down his aching dick smearing pre-cum all over it, at this Wade broke the kiss to bite down hard on Peter’s neck leaving  a   bruising mark on the pale skin there.

Just that bite had the younger man writhing under him doing his best to clumsily get out of his boxers while the mercenary cupped his God-given ass possessively. Peter’s body was to die for and Deadpool gladly would.  He had the body of a Greek Sculpture, legs for days and an above-average dick to boot.

“God, you’re fucking beautiful,” Wade said as he took a moment to appreciate the naked man underneath him and the flushed look on his face, the kiss bruised lips and 
tousled
 brown locks.

Peter took the initiative. Using his strength to sit Deadpool upright and straddle his legs desperately looking for more skin contact. The action had both of them moaning out loud as their slick lengths rubbed against each other with every slow thrust from the younger
 man’s hips. Just as Wade flipped Peter over to prepare him, for a 
back aching
 fuck...his A.I interrupted them.

“Peter, there’s a 
high-level
 disturbance in 
Westchester
 County, all Avengers are needed: CODE RED.” At this, the doe-eyed brunette almost pulled his hair out in indignation at being interrupted. All because the Scarlet Witch seemed to be having one of her mental breakdowns. Great.

“Ugh. Fuck.” Peter said as he cleaned himself up and tried to regain his composure, it wouldn’t bode well to show up with a hard-on, on the field.

“You 
gotta
 go huh?” The mercenary said, cleaning himself up as well and muttering something about dead kittens and blind Al under his breath to make his dick go back down, those blue balls seemed to 
wanna
 stick around though.

“
Its
 Avengers business, sweetie,” Peter responded putting his suit back on and sitting on the other man’s lap to kiss him again.

“Peter Parker, you keep doing shit like that and we are never getting out of here,” Deadpool said as he pulled his mask back on and gently lifted the spider to his feet.

“
So
 we’re going, or what?”  Wade said, straightening up and trying to hide the half erection he was sporting.

“You 
wanna
 come?”  Spider-Man said holding on to the other man’s hips, hopefully.

“Sure, why not? I think I might know a few people there that could help.” The 
merc
 said absentmindedly hoping the incident wasn’t happening where he thought it was happening, but alas things never worked out the way he wanted them to. He was never squeaky clean enough to be an X-Men, in fact, he’d stolen Colossus from them to join X-Force and wasn’t really welcome there but Negasonic was usually the buffer between that drama. He was hoping, she and Yukio were there to prevent the shitstorm as Spidey opened up a portal to the location Karen had sent him pictures of.

“It looks like 
its
 some sort of school,” Peter said as they walked through the portal.

Already, Thor and Captain America were at the scene trying to fend off Storm and Cyclops while they attempted to stop the witch from landing a killing blow at Quicksilver who seemed to be just too fast for her to do it.

“How dare you?! How dare you mimic Pietro’s abilities, you scoundrel!” The Witch demanded, offended by the younger man’s speed, throwing hex after hex at the fast-moving blur.

“I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about, lady. I don’t even know who the hell you are!” When Peter stopped moving for a second to yell at the floating psychotic witch she took that opportunity to aim a calculated attack at the younger man who soon writhed in pain on the grass.

“Wanda, you 
gotta
 stop this now!” Steve pleaded, seeing the fight escalating as he implored with the younger woman, Tony and Doctor Strange arriving just in time for the doctor to stop an attack from an approaching red-headed woman in the air.

“Why don’t you pick on someone your own size?” Jean Grey demanded from the air as her eyes glowed golden landing a few feet just in front of Peter, shielding him from the Witch’s attacks while he gasped for air and struggled to get up on his feet.

“This is none of your concern. I have a problem with cheap knock offs. For a while now I’ve been feeling my brother’s energy on this Earth and I traced it here only to find this, this person running around with his powers and I want to know WHY.” The Witch said as she floated up in the air and her dangerous chaos magic engulfed her, sensing an equally powerful force nearby.

“Wanda, STAND DOWN. That is an order. Do not engage. I repeat do not, engage.” Captain Marvel said as she landed between both the women putting her hands up trying to hold back any attacks. Carol Danvers was mostly off Earth trying to bring back peace to other planets but routinely tried to stop by and check on her dysfunctional team, when she had heard about the commotion and the many enhanced individuals on the field, she had known she had to step in.

“Get out of the way, Captain.” The Witch said ignoring her command and 
emanating
 violent spikes of energy.

“Here I’ll help you,” Jean said as she waved her arm and slammed the blond woman’s body against a nearby tree, knocking the wind out of her and only serving to anger the witch more.

“You’re going to pay for that,” Wanda said menacingly as she shot a powerful hex at the mutant who deflected it with surprising effort. It had been a while since Jean Grey had faced off with an opponent of such magnitude. The two powerful women faced off in the sky, with striking blows while the Professor approached the scene followed by Logan.

Thor called down his Thunder to strike down at Storm who only laughed as she absorbed the energy from the God and directed her attack at Steve. It was a terrifying mess indeed.

“Hey, moron. You know anything about this?” Logan asked Deadpool as his adamantium claws protruded from his knuckles at which moment Spider-Man involuntarily flinched.

If there’s anything the Avengers knew not to do was to piss off Carol Danvers. It only motivated her to pummel without remorse and so she did, no second thoughts she 
flew
 right at Wolverine with all her might and blasted him with an 
Earth-shaking
 photon blast convinced he was a threat to Spider-Man who inched out of the way just in the nick of time.

“Aunt Carol, he was just asking a question!” Spider-Man said looking horrified and watching the pandemonium unfold around him. Wolverine apparently didn’t take kindly to being treated like a pinata getting up and surveying his prey menacingly.

“Hey, Blondie. Back off.” An Auburn haired woman in yellow and green spandex said as she took off her glove and pressed her hand
 against the woman’s face draining her powers completely until the Captain went limp.

This was all happening as Tony and Stephen were both immersed in battle with a teleporting blue mutant and a young man with the power to generate ice out of thin air.

“Friday, status report on Captain Marvel.” Tony breathed trying to dodge another ice spear aimed in his direction.

“Captain Marvel seems to be comatose, unresponsive.” The AI concluded. Tony sighed in annoyance as he blasted another ice attack with his 
repulsor
 and instructed Peter to recover Carol’s body from the field.

“ENOUGH!” Xavier commanded using his telepathic abilities to convey this message to all parties involved. He froze the battle for what seemed like seconds as he sifted through the witch’s memories, trying to get to the bottom of it all. Once he understood he let them all go.

“Wanda. Your powers. They’ve warped reality. Peter, he is your brother just not from this Earth. Look at him.” The professor pleaded with the witch, releasing his mental hold on her so she could catch her 
bearings
. The witch’s eyes landed on the younger man almost as if seeing him for the first time, as she did so she landed softly on the grass trying to make sense of the situation and gasping in surprise.

“You’re him, but you’re not him. Our blood is the same our past is not.” The Witch concluded, feeling confused and afraid of what her own abilities had done.

“You know if I could just stop finding out about long lost siblings for one damn second that would be great.” The silver-haired young man said, dusting himself off and looking across at the witch warily.

Spider-Man snorted at that as he lifted the blonde woman’s body over his shoulder.

“Mr. Stark if you could instruct your team to follow us into the mansion then we could properly talk this out without anyone else getting hurt and you could tend to your injured.”  The professor said, addressing the genius and motioning towards the mansion while the rest of the X-men followed the man in the wheelchair away from the field.

“Okay, what the hell is going on?!” Spiderman said from the opposite side of the room, placing Carol gently on a couch while Jean addressed the other woman’s injuries at the request of Tony as Wanda glared daggers at the other woman and Rogue took a seat next to a quietly seething Wolverine.

“If I may.” Doctor Strange interrupted as he floated towards Wanda.

He made a few hand symbols in the air and scanned the witch with his own magic much to the awe of the startled X-Men.

“Your magic has been fluctuating throughout the Earth in succession with the impact of the explosion of the Gauntlet since we fought and defeated 
Thanos
. I wasn’t able to pinpoint the source until now because I had thought it was just residue from the destruction the Gauntlet had caused but it seems to have created a tear in our realities and fused two universes together 
inadvertently
, explaining all the unusual anomalies. Miss Maximoff, we need to find a way to stop your magic from upsetting the natural order. I believe this would explain why we have been the target of vicious attacks from another powerful sorcerer.” Doctor Strange concluded as he quickly made to bind her chaos magic temporarily, with the younger woman’s consent as her eyes widened in understanding.

“I-I was just trying to protect her,” Wanda said as her eyes filled with unshed tears and she shook with grief.

“Who?” Steve asked, approaching the younger woman and placing a hand on her 
shoulder
 comfortingly.

“Miss Potts. Pietro and I had caused so much harm in our quest to destroy Tony Stark, when he managed to bring us 
back
 I promised myself not to let anyone else die if I could help it. 
So
 I tried to shield Miss Potts from the explosion and simply made things worse.” At this Tony stiffened and whirled around to look at the woman.

“What did you do
?!”He
 demanded, looking for all the world like he had been slapped.

“I-I don’t think she’s dead but I feel something powerful coming. Something beyond my magic. Something monstrous.” The Witch relented, shaking from her revelation.

“Those nightmares...whatever it is. I’ve felt it too.” Jean admitted pacing nervously around the room.

“Stark, you’re going to want to take a look at this.” Nick Fury’s voice broke through the comms as he instructed Friday to pull
 up a hologram of the commotion in front of Stark Tower. A blue portal opened in front of the tower and three figures stepped out. He recognized two of them but the younger 
dark-haired
 girl accompanying them was a newcomer.

“Loki,” Thor said, shock audible in his voice and Tony raised his hand to stop the God from leaving, not knowing if their eyes were playing tricks on them or if it was some sort of trap. The God of Mischief was followed by Rescue and a younger girl no older than five held protectively against her chest plate. The readings Friday was sending him confirmed that the Rescue armor was active again and the one maneuvering it was in fact, Virginia Pepper Potts.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Someone told me long ago There's a calm before the storm I know it's been comin' for some time When it's over so they say It'll rain a sunny day I know shinin' down like water 
“Stephen,” Tony had finally broken at the sight of her.

“Come.” Stephen Strange whispered as he opened a portal towards Stark Tower, The engineer didn’t need convincing, he took the taller man’s hand and walked straight through just as Natasha 
Romanoff
 happened to
 run out of the tower out of breath, eyes wide with tears.

“You can’t be...who the hell are you?!” The now composed but pissed off spy said as she aimed a poisonous widow bite at the newcomers.

“We’re the good guys this time, I swear,” Loki said, raising his arms defensively and brushing a loose strand of black hair from his face.

“WHO ARE YOU?!” Thor said as he flew angrily towards the mischievous figure in green.

“I’m your brother, you big blundering buffoon,” Loki replied under the death grip of a very confused and hurt looking blonde Asgardian, then turned into a snake and
 slithered up Thor’s arm while blowing a big raspberry in his face. At this the God of Thunder was stumped, silent.

Pepper crouched down at that moment to give Morgan a kiss on her cheek knowing it was just shenanigans between brothers.

“This is it. That thing we talked about, okay?” The little girl’s eyes widened and a small smile graced her face while she looked over at the man in the Iron Man armor, Tony Stark.

“Okay, mommy.” Morgan gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and ran over to greet her dad.

“Hey, what-
.”The
 
little
 girl that accompanied his ex-fiance
 just ran over to him and cradled his leg not letting go until he knelt down.
 
I want to know Have you ever seen the rain? I want to know Have you ever seen the rain Comin' down on a sunny day? 
“Daddy, Happy said you were gone.” The little 
girl's
 eyes cast down, tears in her eyes.

“Hey, hey don’t cry okay, sweetheart.” Stephen Strange couldn’t take his eyes off the young girl, the one he had seen in the initial timeline where they won. This child was Tony’s daughter from the other timeline; the one where Tony died.

“
Tony..I
, this girl is your daughter.” The doctor said as he tried really hard to look away, bracing himself for the angry but quite powerful mechanic’s reaction.

“What’s your name 
sweety
?” Tony asked as he lifted her up in his arms much to 
everyone's
 awe, making Peter’s jaw drop at the revelation while Wade tried to calm him.

“Okay, this isn’t so bad you know, 
hun
. Just a bigger Thanksgiving.” Deadpool said as he flashed a glove with the Disney logo on it.

“I asked you, who are you?!”  Natasha said, walking closer to the redhead, Pepper answered her by making the nanobots
 receed and
 walking closer to the other woman.

“Hey, Nat.” The taller woman said leaning over.

“You died. I saw you die.” The Russian spy said breaking down, eyes red with years of sorrow.

“I was sent somewhere else,” Pepper said as she closed the distance between them.,

More X-men, Shield Agents, and Defenders were showing up as they spoke,

“He’s going to be here in 7 days,” Pepper announced, not just to Natasha but to everyone who had shown up.

“Who?” Tony said as he held Morgan closer to him, making the 
sorcerer
 next to him sigh in a most Un-Stephen fashion while he received a nudge on his left arm from none other than Wong, much to his dismay.

“Galactus,” Pepper said, voice shaking in terror.

“Who is this,   Galactus?” Professor X said as he rolled up to the redheaded woman.

“Right, you’re Charles Xavier. He’s coming. Look.” Pepper said as she closed her eyes and invited the Professor to take a look. Charles convulsed at
 that moment, eyes glowing a silver-white.

“Your planet makes me very hungry,” Charles spoke through the large throng of heroes amplified by his telepathic abilities.

“What the 
shitcracker
 was that?!” Deadpool said as the professor stopped projecting that monster and looked up uneasily.

“Charles,” Magneto said as he landed softly next to the professor.

“I know, 
now.”The
 middle-aged mutant doctor explained.

“It means we’ve found the big bad,” Loki said still trying to meet Thor’s eyes.

Steve couldn’t help but notice Thor’s apprehension towards Loki.

“Thor, 
are..you
 ok?” Steve asked, blue eyes searching the storm starting above them.
 
Yesterday and days before Sun is cold and rain is hard I know been that way for all my time 'Til forever, on it goes Through the circle, fast and slow, I know it can't stop, I wonder 
“I-just I have to go.” And 
so
 Thor instead of speeding off with the help of Storm Breaker and 
Mijonir
 ran like a man, a very lost man.

“This is bad,” Loki said still
 managing to look like he was eternally hiding something.

“Why?” Steve demanded, affronted.

“Just follow me you inept, Star-Spangled 
loser,” Loki
 said as he waved his arm in 
Thor's
 direction.

“Fine, Loki but if this is one of your 
tricks..ugh
 I swear.” Steve shot back as he followed the other God secretly wanting to be away from Tony.

“Thor, what the hell?” Steve said as he caught up to the demigod.

“No, you’re dead,” Thor said as he pointed frantically at Loki who was looking more worried by the minute making Steve Rogers look at the other God quizzically.

“I died 
brother,
 in the timeline you remember. I got a hold of the tesseract in my journeys and this lead me to Miss Potts from that point forward I have  been on the run from time reapers.” Loki said slowly hoping to get through to this his dumb blonde brother.

“Thor,” Steve called out to the disturbed Asgardian.

Thor just sat down unwilling to look at either of them frantically slamming his powerful fist against the dirt ground.

“I-I thought you were dead, Loki. I mourned you. I saw him snap your neck.” Thor responded hair matted with dirt looking forlorn as small sparks of lightning cracked the ground.

“Hug him you moron,” Steve said whirling around to glare at Loki.

“Brother, Thor look at me. I’m here okay, I’m really here.”  Loki said looking more perturbed with every second that passed and reaching out a hand to his brother.

Steve had never seen God look so distraught. It reminded him of when he found out Bucky was alive, having mourned someone for years only to find out they were alive could be traumatizing, like reopening a wound. Tears cut
 across the blonde’s 
chiseled
 features and he looked up through blurry eyes at Loki and slammed the other man with a bone-crushing hug, punching him in the arm for good measure as he wiped his face.
 
I want to know Have you ever seen the rain? I want to know Have you ever seen the rain Comin' down on a sunny day? 
“You’re back.” The blonde man 
smiled,
 the most genuine smile Steve had seen on his face since before 
Thanos
 made an appearance.

“Thought you’d be king so easy, brother? They don’t call me the God of Mischief for nothing.” Loki said wincing a little from the hug but giving his brother a playful wink nonetheless.

Steve let out a sigh of relief he didn’t know he was holding.

“So, this? When did this happen? Keeping secrets from me, brother?” The long dark-haired God said motioning between both of them with a devilish grin.

“What are you implying, Loki?” Steve said turning a little red and biting down on his bottom lip a little too hard, glaring at Loki and refusing to meet Thor’s eyes.

“You’re mistaken Loki, this one is with Stark,” Thor said trying hard not to convey the bitterness he felt in his heart, in his voice.

At that Steve swallowed, started coughing and choking which made the blonde God come forward to help him. Steve finally caught his breath and looked up at the other man.

“I’m not with Tony, I don’t know why you would think 
that..unless
. Oh.” The Captain recalled getting a sense that 
they(
Tony and him) were being watched, earlier in the tower.

“Are we really doing this? God, humans are so droll.” Loki said grinning at his brother and the super-soldier knowingly.

“He rejected me,” Steve said under his breath, taking a few steps back from the Gods and refusing to look at either of them; the memory of Tony rejecting him still feeling fresh in his heart. Thor looked up at that and ran an exasperated hand through his dirty blonde hair.

“He’s a genius but he can be pretty daft as well,” Thor said, brushing the dirt off his armor and stepping closer to the other man.

“Well, that’s my cue to depart, see you later brother,” Loki said as he practically teleported out of the conversation.

“Loki!” Thor yelled after his sneaky brother.

“Just tell him, dunce,” Loki yelled back as he disappeared.

“What’s he talking about Thor, tell me what?”  The super soldier questioned a bit more composed than before.

“
Its
 nothing, we should get back,” Thor said sounding a little more serious this time and taking off with 
mijonir
, leaving the Captain slightly confused and out of breath, the man sure did know how to make an exit. Thor landed with a small thud next to Loki. The God of Thunder wasn’t known to run away
 from anything but being someone’s second option wasn’t something he was interested in, however tempting that might be.

Yeah

I want to know Have you ever seen the rain? I want to know Have you ever seen the rain Comin' down on a sunny day?

“Chicken.” The darker haired god of mischief muttered under his breath getting a glare aimed in his direction from the blonde as Steve ran up to join them a few minutes later trying hard to keep his distance from Thor but not being able to stop staring at the God. It was like he was seeing him for the first time. It never ceased to amaze him just how much of a powerhouse the other man was, strong, a leader and those muscles that could break a building in half. Steve wanted to smack himself. Thor deserved better but that didn’t mean he couldn’t admire him from afar, it gave him the perfect distraction from Tony.  It was funny watching the two siblings argue like little kids. He couldn’t hear what Loki kept whispering in the other God’s ear but it was enough to earn him a punch in the gut and a warning glare. Whatever it was made Thor red in the face and Loki grinned like a Cheshire cat.

Meanwhile, Stephen Strange was still trying to process all the new information all the while trying not to beam at the image of Tony Stark going directly into dad mode around his daughter, it made something in the Doctor’s chest stir. This was what brought back a light into the inventor that had been missing since the war and so he quietly exited the scene followed closely by Wong. Slowly all the heroes were retreating while they absorbed the new information and the teams gathered intel on the new imminent threat.

“I just want you to know, that I never forgot. You were always on my mind.” Pepper said, smiling sadly at Nat and resting a gentle hand on her cheek willing her to look up.

“What took you so long?!” Nat said as she pulled the redhead into a fierce embrace, finally letting go of all the pain and holding on to the CEO for dear life.

“Interdimensional travel is a pain.” Pepper said finally letting a smile grace her features, while absentmindedly checking on Morgan and Tony. Pepper knew how much Tony had wanted a family and although they may not be the traditional family, she could see just how much the engineer had needed this spark.

She brushed a loose strand of blonde copper hair from the spy’s face and leaned down to kiss her and it was as if everything else ceased to be, like no time had passed and it was just them two again, plotting to bring down the mad titan realizing that it was better to have loved for a short while than live with a lie.

“Wow, when did those two...” Loki said curiously 
manging
 to look a little shocked at the small display of affection.

“You missed a lot, brother,” Thor said, crossing his arms and looking amused.

The rest of the Avengers headed inside the tower while Tony instructed Friday to send a drone and get contact information for the Professor’s team, so they could address the new threat together. Wanda stayed behind at the mansion to speak with Peter and keep an eye on a slowly recovering Carol. Deadpool and Spider-Man followed everyone inside holding hands, earning a raised eyebrow from Tony who lead Morgan inside by the hand not letting her out of his sight. He looked around confused for a minute, before realizing the Doctor had left quite a while ago without saying goodbye. Figures.

“Friday, remind me to go see the kind Doctor later, ok?” Tony told his A.I.

“Sure, boss. Should I also add 
tiny
 boss to Stark Tower’s defense system?” Tony couldn’t help but hear the happiness in Friday’s voice as she addressed Morgan.

“I want doctor’s appointments scheduled for both Miss Potts and Morgan. I want to know that they’re both healthy and make sure they’ve got everything they need in their rooms.” Tony said as he ran a protective hand across the little girl’s dark brown hair while he made to sit at a couch in the common room and pulled her on his laps.

“I missed you, daddy,” Morgan said laying her head on his chest as she began to doze off.

“Peter?” Tony said, getting the attention of the young man and motioning towards the sleeping kid in his arms.

“Care to help with your sister?” Peter Parker practically stumbled over to his dad, mask off and more nervous than he had ever seen him.

“W-where do you want me to put her, dad?” Peter asked anxiously.

“There’s a blanket and a couch in my workshop. We can keep an eye on her that way. They must both be tired from their travels.” Tony said as he gently placed the young girl in his son’s arms giving her a small peck on her forehead and brushing a gentle hand through Peter’s hair in the process, making the younger man smile.

It was so sweet watching Peter Parker fall apart trying to get the little girl to the shop making sure not to wake her.

“I’m not going to let anything happen to you okay, kiddo?” Peter whispered in her ear as she shifted in her sleep and laid the blanket on top of her.

Wade was basically all heart eyes at the moment, watching Peter dote on his sister.

“Hey, you big red. What’s the deal with you and my son?” Tony said, composing himself for a moment and 
addressing
 the troubling amicable relationship the mercenary seemed to have cultivated with Peter.

“Well, pop. We’re in love.” Deadpool said, striking a pose and aiming an invisible arrow at Peter who was coming back from the shop at the moment and didn’t expect all eyes to be on him.

“I take my eyes off you for 2 minutes and you start dating a murderer. Kid, we 
gotta
 do better about checking 
in.”Tony
 said, admonishing and gesturing at Deadpool.

“Yeah, well he’s not killing bad guys 
anymore
 and you said it yourself before, we’ve all done bad things and Wade deserves a chance,” Peter said 
matterafactly
 making sure to get his point across by taking a seat on Deadpool’s lap.

“You, hurt him and I swear I’ll figure out a way to kill you,” Tony warned the other man.

“Does that mean we get your blessing?!” Wade smiled through his mask.

“
It's
 a probationary blessing, don’t get your hopes up,” Tony replied, still annoyed at the mercenary.

“On to more pressing matters, how do we know Loki can be trusted?” Steve Rogers spoke up from the wall he was currently leaning on making sure not to meet the inventor’s gaze.

“You wound me, Captain.” The God said looking a little annoyed earning an annoyed look from Thor.

“Well for one, he helped Morgan and I escape before 
Galactus
 devoured that alternate universe,” Pepper said as she spoke up and gained everyone’s attention.

“Is that so? Brother, I had no idea you were the sentimental type.” Thor said, ribbing his brother for old 
times
 sake, eliciting a snort from Steve.

“I have a question. How is this even possible?” Natasha said looking between the CEO and the God of Mischief for answers.

“I didn’t know I was pregnant before the snap. When I got to that other alternate reality Morgan was already alive and I got a rush of memories as soon as I arrived. Tony, I attended your funeral. Your daughter attended your funeral, we beat him there too but you died.” Pepper said as she placed a comforting hand on Nat’s shoulder and got up to hug the startled engineer.

“This means that Doctor Strange was right. It must’ve been Wanda’s magic that interfered with the natural outcome.” Peter concluded.

Everyone gasped at the revelation.

“Boss, I hate to interrupt this reunion but you’ve got a status report on Mr. Barnes condition from Princess 
Shuri
,” Friday interjected.

“Put her through,” Tony said as he waved his hand and the hologram of the Princess greeted the group.

“Oh, hi everyone. I’m happy to announce that Mr. Barnes's condition has been neutralized, he’s ready to come home. All traces of Hydra’s brainwashing have been completely 
removed,
 he may need a ride back.” The Princess said with a smile, looking proud of her work.

“Thank you, 
Shuri
. I’ll be sending his highness a brief on a new problem we may all have to face very soon.” Tony responded. At this Steve Rogers mood elevated. His friend was coming back.

“Harry Potter, be a dear and go fetch Mr. Barnes please,” Tony instructed Peter while the younger man shot him a miffed look.

“You know those magic jokes get old after a while,” Peter said as he made the symbols to open a doorway to Wakanda with his sling ring, shocking the rest of the group with his new abilities.

After a little bickering, both men stepped right through the portal and into Stark Tower. James looked like a completely different person, devoid of the haunted 
appearance
 he sported before. He had a genuine smile on his face and even managed to give Peter a hug and thank him for getting him back home.

“
I'll
 never get used to that.” Bucky said with a hint of humor in his voice.

“Missed 
ya
, old man.” Steve said as he bounded up to hug his 
long-time
 friend. Bucky took one look at the people in the room and frowned at a man he had never seen before. Long dark hair and sly
 look about him, standing next to Thor.

“
So
 who are we fighting this time?” Bucky asked tentatively as he took a seat on the ground against a wall.

“Well, he’s big angry and hungry. He eats planets and seems to be a lot more powerful than 
Thanos
 could’ve ever hoped to be.” Loki answered the newcomer, nudging Thor to introduce him, earning a raised eyebrow from the Captain.

“Uh, yes sorry. Seargent Barnes, Loki. Loki, Sergeant Barnes.” Thor said rather awkwardly.

“That’s no way to introduce a deity, brother. Hello, I’m Loki 
Odinson
, God of Mischief at your service.” The trickster announced to the former winter soldier as Thor rolled his eyes at his brother’s shenanigans.

“Oh hi, I’m James, Bucky for short.” The super soldier said, obliviously shaking the God’s hand to which the God responded by placing a well-calculated kiss on the palm before releasing the man. Bucky was shocked at how strong the God was and presumptuous.

“Okay, okay that’s enough.” Steve stepped in, looking like he was going to throw up.

“
It's
 okay, Stevie he was just being nice,” Bucky said with a warm playful smile aimed at his friend.

“Loki, is not ever ‘just nice,’ be careful.” The Captain said shooting the God of Mischief a warning glare.

“Jealous, much?”  Loki intervened, tapping him on the shoulder and winking at him to which Tony started choking on his coffee and Deadpool, uttered a very loud ‘hot damn.’

“He’s my best friend you sneaky, jerk,” Steve said as he made to go sit down on an armchair farthest away from Tony and conveniently closer to Thor.

“
Nevertheless
 dare I say that’s a fine 
arse
. I always did find a man in uniform quite attractive.” Loki, continued giving Bucky a once over and making the other man subconsciously blush.

“I like that guy,” Deadpool said, loud enough for Loki to hear.

“You would,” Peter said facepalming.

Momentarily distracted by the two other people he had yet to be acquainted with, he turned his attention over to Peter and Deadpool.

“You there, who are you two?” Loki asked as his curiosity peaked, he remembered seeing the younger of the two use some sort of magic to get the super soldier into the tower but the other one didn’t ring any bells.

“I’m Deadpool. Your neighborhood mercenary with a mouth and this here is Spiderman and he’s all mine.”  Deadpool said as he stood up and walked over to the God, a little curious himself as to what tricks he had up his sleeve.

“Your mortal weapons are nothing against what’s coming.” Loki said dismissively.

“Oh sweetie, these aren’t the weapons. I am.” Deadpool said with a warning tone in his voice. Something in his choice of words made the God pause.

“Oh, you’re reindeer games. The bad guy with the deer helmet thingy, yeah dad told me all about you. I wouldn’t underestimate Wade if I were you. He’s virtually indestructible.” Peter explained with a smirk aimed at the God and a playful tug at 
Deadpools
 waist. Tony looked proud.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

CH 16: Pumpkin

“God, I missed you...” Pepper whispered as she nipped at Nat’s ear and started working on her pants.

“You’re not lying. I missed you too, V.” Nat said capturing the taller woman’s flushed lips in a hard, wanting kiss.

After Bucky’s sudden arrival they had all split to talk things out amongst themselves. Tony went off to watch over Morgan giving Pepper and Natasha an approving nod towards one of the vacant rooms in the tower while the gods and super soldiers went off to a conference room on the upper level and Peter and Wade retreated
 to the prodigy’s apartment.

We're heavy lifting but we're feeling fine 
We think it's funny when we look at the time 
“This isn’t over, Strange.” Tony wrote a quick email, still unable to find 
a  direct
line to the man but settling for the next best thing. On the other side of New York on Bleeker Street, an agitated 
sorcerer
 slammed his fist against his desk after receiving said email. 
 
I know co-dependency has dragged me out 
But I really don't think that's what this is about 
I wanna give it all, I know I will 
'Cause blueberry eyes seem to make time still 
We can boogie in the sunshine with some Burt's Bees 
And I know you like to pull the leaves off trees 
 
Stephen sat in the dark in his room, a shaking hand resting on his forehead as he thought of ways to avoid; Tony Stark. Clearly he had been too forward, enough so that the engineer noticed and now his motives were being questioned. Peter had called him earlier, first still angry the young man had to told him exactly where to go and calmly explained that Tony Stark wanted answers about something the doctor wasn’t even sure he could explain, and he
knew..he
 knew what Stephen had done to save his life.

“I can’t ruin you, Tony, I won’t. In this Universe, your life holds more value.” The Doctor whispered a confession into the darkness, something he had avoided revealing about himself and his apparent feelings for the Iron Man. The cloak sensed Stephen’s distress, a broken man, weakening from the amount of power he was using to keep the creatures at bay. It hovered over his master, concerned.

“I have to stay away from him, Levi. Now, more than ever. I’m not a part of his life and the longer I’m around the more I’m 
obstructing  what
 should be.”  Stephen, said knowing the cloak didn’t quite understand but feeling better saying it regardless; Morgan’s face fresh in his memory. The little girl looked so much like her father, dark hair and an intense stare mirrored in chocolate brown eyes. She had Pepper’s smile. It only seemed natural for Tony to get back what the snap had ripped away even if it tore at Stephen’s insides and made breathing harder.
 
I used to think that Romeo was full of shit 
And The Notebook was just my favorite chick flick 
But now I get why Sarah was so hard to forget 
It’s this feeling that I'm feeling, like Nemo in a net 
 
At the Tower, Tony sneezed as he continued to pace back and forth in his workshop, biting his lip pensively.

“Something on your mind, boss?” Friday asked, a little quieter than usual making sure not to wake Morgan from her slumber.

“Stephen Strange,” Tony said a little too loud without thinking, the A.I was almost too quick in pulling up the man’s SHIELD profile.

“Stephen Vincent Strange, Age 40-.” Tony interrupted the A.I then before she could continue listing the man’s complete biography.

“Wait, he’s younger than me.” Tony wondered aloud while he absentmindedly looked over the hologram of a picture of said doctor. Tony allowed himself to stare a little since no one was awake to see it or judge him and Friday was sworn to secrecy.

“His eyes 
are..
” Tony gasped out and subconsciously licked his bottom lip.

“Boss?”  Friday said, reminding him of her presence.

“Hey, yeah. Fri. I-I think I need to get some sleep.” Tony said to the A.I as he let himself fall on the opposite couch where his daughter currently dozed.

“I 
gotta
figure out some things out kiddo,” Tony whispered as he ran a gentle hand over his sleeping daughter’s form under the blanket Peter had cradled her in, kissing her goodnight.

*2 Doors Down*

Two doors over Pepper picked up Nat while the natural redhead straddled her hips against an office desk. The former CEO of Stark industries wasted no time removing any files or office supplies from the surface before pushing the other woman against
 it and sucking roughly with her mouth on the Spy’s pale, slender collarbone, loving the feel of Natasha’s soft hands running up her ribcage 
caressing
 the skin along her path.

The taller woman pressed her hips against the shorter woman suggestively to which the spy responded by licking her middle and index finger and sucking on them until they were slippery and wet, smacking her full red lips with a pop. Pepper moaned she realized what the sight of the other woman, like this under her did to her. There was a pool of heavenly juices leaking from her front, begging to be released. Natasha, knowing she had Pepper’s full attention took the two fingers she’d soaked with her mouth and stuck
 them right down the front of her uniform, carefully stroking her slick clit through her underwear keeping eye contact with the flushed, usually stoic businesswoman.

“What you’re just 
gonna
watch me?” Natasha said as she licked her lips and threw her head back
while wiggling out of her pants only leaving on a thin white muscle shirt that did nothing to hide her ample breasts, pink nipples at attention against the 
sinful
 see-through fabric.  Pepper swallowed as her pussy leaked from the display so she decided to play along with the spy.

She got up from the desk and hopped off only to shed the tracksuit she wore underneath her Rescue armor and all the other layers she wore underneath, stepping out as bare as the day she was born
. At 
this, Nat arched
 off the desk and delved deep in her wetness,  as she noticed the arousal dripping down the other woman’s freckled thigh.

“God, you’re so wet.”  Natasha used the strength of her powerful legs to balance herself, head against the desk, hips in the air as her right hand ran speedy circles over her throbbing clit, echoing wet sounds throughout the room making the former CEO pinch her nipples as she strode back over, without warning she pulled Natasha over to her and dove face-first into her slick sex, rolling her tongue over every inch of exposed skin and licking and sucking down her center forcing the spy to rock her hips with need and pull Pepper over down for a wet kiss, licking every drop of her own arousal from the taller woman’s mouth in the process.

Natasha sneaked a hand in between both their bodies, feeling every single intimate part of Pepper’s shivering body, rocking against her hand while she trailed kisses down the Russian’s chest seemingly caught in a trance and  taking a satisfying lick of the other woman’s salty skin, rolling the dark rose nipples with her tongue. Natasha gasped in pleasure as Pepper helped her wiggle out of her muscle shirt and pushed their bodies even closer.

“I need it. I need you, Nat.”  Pepper sank down against Natasha spreading her legs in the process and straddling her thigh, momentarily rubbing the against the delicate skin between their legs, making them both moan out in approval.

“Do that again, V. Please.” Natasha’s round pale breasts heaved under the dim light of the office, shaking with every thrust. Pepper rode the other woman with intent, hitting their glistening pink cunts together
, feeling each other’s wetness and speaking loving words of encouragement in 
each other's
ears. Natasha’s movements became more erratic and
 she moved her hips in circles meeting the business woman’s thrusts with a shuddering grind, her body shook as waves of orgasm flowed through her veins, the skin of her swollen 
clitoris
 was  red, her orgasm spilled over onto Pepper’s sex as she watched the spy roll her eyes back  and her pussy spasmed.
 
Pumpkin, pumpkin 
You're gonna kill me 
Pumpkin, pumpkin 
La-la-la-la-la-la 
Pumpkin, pumpkin 
I need you to feel me 
Pumpkin, pumpkin 
La-la-la-la-la-la 
At that moment Pepper took matters into her own hands and rapidly pinched and slapped her swollen, sticky, wet pussy, rubbing quickly over and over until she came, primal naked and huffing for air.

Natasha loved watching Pepper cum, it was like a work of art. She tensed up and her whole body shined red for a moment until her juice squirted out and rolled down her open lips.

They laid against each other for a moment. Pepper running soft hands through Natasha’s hair and the spy stroking her fingers lovingly down her leg, feeling the other woman’s wetness and still sensitive clit.

“
Oh,,
 yes.” Natasha knew the woman’s orgasms hit her different because of the experiment she’d been subjected too. She had more stamina and strength because of it, not to mention being a 
stone-cold
 fox in the sack.

The women got dressed as they stole glances at each other from across the room.

“We need to talk, Gin.” Natasha said as she walked over slowly to the pained looking redhead.

“Talk, about what. It was just a bunch of 
otherworldly
Avenger’s nonsense.” The freckled redhead replied, 
avoiding
 the Russian’s eyes and pulling her sweater over her head.

“You keep looking at me like I’m not here, Pepper. Something’s up.” The spy said resolutely, reaching over and turning the red head’s face to look at her.

“Part of me can’t believe you’re really here,” Ginny said biting her lip and turning away, fighting back tears.

“It was 2 years for you, but a lifetime for me before he swallowed up that place. Loki didn’t find me right away.” Pepper said still refusing to look at Natasha.

“You 
mean..
” The Russian tentatively asked.

“You died in Clint’s place. I didn’t get to say goodbye.” Gin admitted, finally letting the tears she was holding fall. The Spy 
instinctively
 pulled the other woman’s body closer to her.
 
We're cruising slowly but we're moving fast 
We've both decided to thank our pasts 
We got a hundred lists of things we wanna do 
But I'm also cool just doing nothing with you 
I ran in circles on a Monday night 
You had to go so you could make your flight 
I looked at my mom and said, "What do I do?" 
She said this look is something and it's new and true 
 
“
I’m..I’ve
 been a mess, Gin.” Natasha said as she lit a cigarette only to be quickly reminded by Friday, that that was not acceptable in Stark Towers.

“When I woke up. I was at Tony’s funeral. I spent months piecing together what happened, they couldn’t even recover your body for a proper burial...” Pepper said, as she continued to light the 
cigarette..overriding
Friday’s protocol and
 clearing out her throat.

“I spent the next years leading my own team, becoming an alcoholic and avoiding Tony like the plague.” The redhead admitted as she looked across at the taller woman.

“No, Nat what the hell!” Pepper said as she slammed her fist against the wall.

“When you died, Clint died...a part of me died too,” Natasha said as she sat against the wall next to Pepper’s standing confused self.

“Something tugged at me, this universe, this time. The fact that I have a daughter with the man I spent half my life pining over only to fall in love with the first female Avenger. Irony doesn’t even begin to describe it. I spent most of the time Tony and I were together fooling myself into thinking I could stop him from wanting to save the world only to want to do so myself. I’m sorry, I knew what he was going to do and I couldn’t let him.” Pepper said sliding down the wall to join the other woman on the floor.

Natasha took this opportunity to straddle 
Pepper’s
lap while she kissed her with as much fervor
 as she could muster.

“You’re the best person on this planet, V.” The Black Widow whispered in her ear as she pressed her body hard against the
former CEO of Stark industries.

“There’s a car waiting for you downstairs 
Mrs. Potts
,” Friday said interrupting the two women while they kissed passionately,

*Conference Room*

“Can you believe that?” Steve asked Bucky completely flabbergasted at finding out Tony had a daughter.

“We don’t exactly live normal lives, Stevie,” Bucky responded, sitting down on the nearby chair that by a massive glass table.

“We need to give them time to look at this timeline,” Thor said as he sat down and laid both his powerful hammers against the tiles in the conference room giving Steve a very careful once over.

“Wait, you said; You’re Thor’s 
brother...Are
 you like him-
the..the
 lighting?” Bucky asked tentatively making his way over to Loki.
 
I used to think that Romeo was full of shit 
And The Notebook was just my favorite chick flick 
But now I get why Sarah was so hard to forget 
It’s this feeling that I'm feeling, like Nemo in a net 
“I work with magic outside of this plane of 
existence
.” The 
dark-haired
 taller man admitted,

“Magic?” Bucky asked, awestruck at the demigod currently scanning his kevlar for dust.

“Right, you are Seargent Barnes,” Loki answered.

“I was abducted by HYDRA and trained to kill. Their brainwashing was recently disposed of.” The soldier replied as God repeatedly tried and failed to avoid eye contact with the other man.
 
Pumpkin, pumpkin 
You're gonna kill me 
Pumpkin, pumpkin 
La-la-la-la-la-la 
Pumpkin, pumpkin 
Need you to feel me 
Pumpkin, pumpkin 
La-la-la-la-la-la 
“Well, James. You seem to be 
unbelievably
in tip-top shape.” Loki, replied with a devilish smirk, licking his top lip for good measure. Something in Bucky’s briefs stirred as he spoke to the demigod.

Thor could see his brother coaxing the other super-soldier as he sipped from the mead in the flask he had protruded from his jacket. All he could see was Steve’s disapproving form
, talking about inappropriate behavior serving as a buffer between his best friend and Thor’s brother. Thor chose that moment to shed his jacket,

“Enough brother. You don’t want to scare the humans.” Thor said quietly as he took another sip of the drink. Thor sat there, shirt off against the chair still looking away from Steve and flipping
 through the touch screen phone Tony had gifted him.  earlier in the year.

“Thor, you ok with this?” Steve said as he nodded his head in the direction of Loki and Bucky.
 
I used to think that Romeo was full of shit 
But when I look at you, I think this must be it, oh 
 
“I’m not my brother’s keeper,” Thor replied as he tied his golden locks into a ponytail.

“Do you mind if I have a word with you.” In the 
background,
 Loki could be seen with a wide smile on his face nodding at the blonde God.

“Please,” Loki said aloud as he ran both his hands against his hips in a suggestive manner getting Bucky’s attention and making the super-soldier lean up against the wall by the door to the conference room with a hungry look on his face.
 
Pumpkin, pumpkin 
You're gonna kill me 
Pumpkin, pumpkin 
La-la-la-la-la-la 
Pumpkin, pumpkin 
I need you to feel me 
Pumpkin, pumpkin 
La-la-la-la-la-la, oh 
 
Steve grabbed his shield from the floor and headed out not missing the looks Bucky and Loki were giving each other but managing to drag the other super soldier away and stealing one last glance at Thor unable to stop himself from noticing the rogue drop of alcohol that dribbled down the Asgardian's chin and down his jaw making its way across the other man's navel.

"Captain, I'm afraid if you stare any longer I'll have to start charging." Loki suggested grinning victoriously and the winter soldier narrowed his eyes at Steve and looked over at Thor questioningly. Thor responded to this by picking up his hammers and storming off, pushing past all of them without a word.
 Oh-oh, pumpkin, pumpkin 
Oh, la-la-la-la-la-la 
La, la-la, ooh, ooh-ooh

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

While Stephen and Wong worked to gather information on the newly established threat known as Galactus  in the library of the New York Sanctum, they were both startled out of their research by a loud banging on the front door.  Without getting up to go look, Wong walked over to a seemingly normal looking vase full of water and waved a hand in front of it.“Stephen, why is Tony Stark outside?” The monk asked, looking a little irritated at the sudden interruption.“I swear to God, Gandalf if you don’t open this door right now I’m blowing a hole in it.” The billionaire warned.At this Stephen rolled his eyes and let out an annoyed huff of frustration. The cloak however seemed to contradict his frustration and instead flew downstairs in haste to open the door for Tony, like an excited dog.“LEVI, you traitor.” Stephen ran down just as Wong made to disappear to Kamar-Taj , saying something about needing peace and quiet and idiot sorcerers.  Stephen hadn’t exactly been expecting the other man to show up seeing as Pepper Potts was back and his daughter had made it to this Earth so he wasn’t exactly wearing his usual robes. He had opted for jeans and an a loose black V-neck shirt that hugged his body and somehow made him appear taller, also he wasn’t wearing gloves  and there was no time for him to fetch them as the pissed off hero had managed to step inside right as he reached the bottom of the stairs so instead he tucked his hands in the back pockets of his jeans hoping to get the man to leave before he got a closer look at the trembling damaged appendages.  Stephen hated to admit that although he was sorcerer supreme, his hands were something of a shot to his years as a doctor, they were an ugly reminder of what his ego had stolen from him.Tony himself was no stranger to insomnia, he had barely slept a wink for the past day. The nightmares kept him up, as well as some very disturbing quite graphic dreams involving the aforementioned doctor.  He hadn’t even bothered to wear one of  his  business suits in his hurry, he had just thrown on some jeans and a white button down t-shirt that didn’t appear to be buttoned up all the way or evenly, the housing unit glowed underneath the fabric in contrast with his tan skin.Tony seemed to notice Stephen staring  and proceeded to fix the offending buttons on his shirt, finally feeling just how much sleep he hadn’t gotten the night before.Stephen looked away and tried to give the other man some privacy as he thought of different ways to get rid of him because the ache in his chest was a little too much to bare and the amount of energy he was having to use on the reapers was beginning to take a lot out of him.  Under his breath he muttered one more spell at the dimensional barrier and  took a few breaths while holding his chest and catching his bearings against a wall nearby. This seemed to get the attention of the Cloak who helped support the sorcerer  and helped him keep his balance.

Hope dangles on a string

Like slow-spinning redemption

Winding in and winding out

The shine of it has caught my eye

And roped me in

So mesmerizing so hypnotizing

I am captivated

I am
“Stephen!” And this time there was no funny pun or joke the engineer could think of as he ran over to the taller man and  supported his weight until he was able to help him take a seat in an arm chair nearby. The doctor looked pale and had dark rings around his   cerulean eyes. He was having trouble breathing and his hands shook against the fabric of the arm rests. He looked focused however, like whatever he was doing was more important than his own health. “Stark, I need you to go.” Stephen said, gaining a little more control and feeling the barrier hold up once more.“Its true what they say, doctors suck at taking care of themselves.” Tony finally said as he tried and failed not to hover and the cloak flew to get water from the kitchen, handing the pitcher to Tony.“You’re one to talk, have you even slept?” Stephen said as his breathing began to even out and he coughed and sat back just a little still avoiding meeting the other man’s gaze, disgusted at himself for letting Tony see him like this and trying to quickly hide his hands again. “I’ll have you know, I slept 25 minutes inside the suit while I was on my way over here.” Tony said, sounding a little offended and giving the other man space as he took a seat on the armchair   parallel to the sorcerer.Tony had seen the taller man hide his hands 3 times now. “Its not like I haven’t seen them before. I read the article. I know what happened to you.” Tony said quietly examining a few paintings on a farther wall in the foyer.“I don’t know what you’re talking about-” Stephen began and was just as quickly interrupted by a low chuckle.“Your hands. The scars, you know this thing on my chest its not pretty either but we do what we can. So stop fidgeting and look at me when I’m talking to you Stephen Strange.” Tony demanded , boring into the other man.VindicatedI am selfishI am wrongI am right, I swear I'm rightSwear I knew it all along andI am flawedBut I am cleaning up so wellI am seeing in me now the things you swore you saw yours“You don’t get it do you?” The sorcerer said finally  looking up and meeting those angry, brown eyes. Something in the doctor’s face had snapped. There was a mask the other man always wore, something that made him appear emotionless and neutral but for a few seconds Tony was able to see something painful behind those calculating distant grey orbs; deep anguish, love and guilt? And Stephen struggled to close that door but he slammed it down anyway, determined not to give himself hope about something that could never be. It was only a peek and Tony fell silent, thinking quickly and trying to remember everything he knew about the man. What he had lost and how he came to be one of their most powerful allies and he had done it alone.Was this what Peter was trying to tell him? So Tony took a little longer to take in the man in front of him, the sorcerer Supreme. Really, photographs and blurry shots  of him battling alongside him with the cloak did the man no justice. There were a few speculations from the media as to what or where he came from because this Stephen Strange was a vast difference from the renowned surgeon Stephen Strange. He looked like he had lived a hundred years, like every one of those life times was a brick in his life and every brick weighed more than the one before that. The engineer sat like that for a while, tracing the line of the V on the other man’s shirt and noticing the light trail of silver and black hair that hid underneath the light material. Tony swallowed a little and coughed awkwardly trying to sit up in the chair and hide the half hard erection that had seemingly come out of nowhere.Stephen noticed the change in the other man’s demeanor and raised a questioning eyebrow in the direction of the currently red in the face engineer.“To what do I owe the pleasure of your company, Stark?” Stephen said as he knowingly summoned a hot pot of coffee and poured the other man a mug while he himself opted for tea.Stephen couldn’t help but steal sideways glances at the other man while he blew on his hot tea and took a small sip. It was a little odd, the way the other man kept looking at him, sort of like he was seeing him for the first time or like he was some sort of interesting puzzle but then again that was Tony Stark, a brilliant mind among a broken world always thinking of ways to make it better for those around him. He had read various articles of all the charities the man ran and how he had found a way to bring sustainable energy to the forefront of Stark Industry, making it free for the public. It was truly remarkable but he was a little confused as to why the other man was so engrossed in figuring out the former surgeon. That made Stephen pause.‘Peter.’ He thought and then it all made sense.“You looked me up.” Stephen finally said as he settled the cup on the table between them.“Don’t flatter yourself Stephanie. I look everyone up. Its only fair since the whole world knows my business before I know it.” Then Tony took an appreciative gulp of his coffee and spilled a little on his chin  to which he responded by lapping it up quickly like a tired puppy. The doctor tensed as he watched the other man lap up the fallen coffee like it was God’s gift to the world and he clenched his hand subconsciously trying to control himself.“Cat got your tongue Maleficent?” Tony teased, having fun at the sorcerer’s expense now, proceeding to unbutton his shirt and mentioning how hot the room was in passing.“This isn’t going to end well. You should just leave.” Stephen said sounding a little more serious now and standing up to motion towards the door.“Do I look like someone that likes to be bossed around?” Tony said, standing up and blocking the other man’s path defiantly, he had enough of this dodgy attitude.“I can portal you to your fiancé and child if you would like. I’m sure they are wondering where you are.” Stephen said, standing his ground and stepping around the other man.“Pepper and Morgan went to the doctor for a routine check up with Natasha. They are fine and if you must know, the wedding is off. Its been off since before she disappeared.” Tony said, sounding a little upset at the end of his small speech. That seemed to get the sorcerer’s attention. The doctor turned around slowly and looked at the billionaire a little closer this time, searching for a lie in those hurt dark eyes. He found nothing but a sliver of regret and confusion.“I didn’t know that. I’m sorry to hear.”  Stephen said feeling a heavy weight lifted off his shoulders momentarily before remembering, that kiss and instantly those walls were back up.Steve Rogers was still a factor and he wouldn’t play second fiddle to that self righteous bastard, not even for Tony. Tony watched the sorcerer angrily remember something and then close off in the span of seconds. “You know what’s interesting? I have surveillance all over Stark Tower. I know who comes in and out of my properties.” Tony started, closing the distance between himself and the other man. “I don’t know what you think you saw but I know what I saw, Stark. You don’t owe me any explanations. That’s none of my business.” Stephen said as he angrily walked over to the tea kettle and poured himself another cup to calm his nerves trying to quell the headache that was starting. Tony took a few moments to appreciate the other man’s self control and noticeable biceps that were perfectly accented by the black V-neck. “I didn’t know they had gyms at Hogwarts.” He said teasingly as the other man tried not to flinch at the scrutiny. “We happen to do a lot of martial arts training at Kamar-Taj. Its part of the self discipline that comes with the responsibility of being a sorcerer supreme.” Stephen said, starting to feel a little exposed and somewhat nervous.“Well it looks good on you, Steph. Also you should probably know that I let the Captain down gently.” Tony said, finally taking the leap and trying not to run out of the room in embarrassment.

So clear like the diamond in your ring

Cut to mirror your intention

Oversized and overwhelmed

The shine of which has caught my eye

And rendered me so isolated

So motivated

I am certain now that

I am
“But I-.” Stephen began but was cut off by Tony who promptly made his way over to the taller man and stood in front of him looking like a nervous wreck and fidgeting with his hands as if trying to stop himself from doing something.“You know, the more you avoid me the more you’re going to find yourself in my presence.” Tony said quietly, voice trembling a little this time and taking hold of one of the doctor’s scarred hands, running small circles around the palm and making the other man gasp in both pain and pleasure. That’s when the cloak enthusiastically pushed Tony, making him stumble and fall on top of the other man and  flying away from the scene of the crime before Stephen could chastise it. So Tony took that as a sign and  didn’t get up from his spot on the other man’s lap, instead electing to straddle him and  run an appreciative hand through those salt and pepper locks, taking in the longing look in the doctor’s deep sea eyes  and the way he took small steady breaths to catch himself. He also noticed how Stephen immediately made room for  him, his arms moving to grasp at his slender hips to hold him in place.  Something warm made its way down Tony’s spine, it was the most wonderful feeling and he smiled at the man underneath him, daring to  thread his fingers over that finely trimmed beard. “Boss, your heart rate is spiking.” Friday, interjected momentarily bringing them back to reality.“Thanks for the input baby girl, I’ll take it from here.” Tony said before activating dark mode so both men could have some privacy.“Tony I--.”  The genius interrupted the nervous doctor one more time, silencing the nervous doctor with a shy peck on the lips.No one had ever made the billionaire  this apprehensive, something about the sorcerer made him second guess himself and every move he made; if the tabloids could see him now.Stephen lost his grip at the feel of Tony’s lips on his. The hungry ache in his chest returned with a vengeance and this time there was nothing he could do to stop himself from slipping a docile, trembling hand down the right side of the brunette’s face who seemed to lean into and appreciate the gesture. It was very rare for someone as closed off and sheltered as Tony to let someone else take the lead, even when it came to this but with the doctor he felt safe, like he didn’t need to  take charge and he could simply let himself enjoy the moment. The engineer closed his eyes, just to let himself dive into the feeling of being enveloped in the strongest longest, slender arms   he’d ever had the pleasure of being acquainted with.Stephen watched the shorter brunette with rapt fascination, he seemed to be enjoying all the light touches which came as a surprise to the doctor who wasn’t a stranger to all the publishings on the billionaire, playboy, philanthropist.“Please, just kiss me.” Tony pleaded, whispering the request airily, against the magus’ bearded cheek. Stephen obliged enthusiastically and  pulled the brunette down roughly  and crashed their lips together in a searing kiss, exploring the older man’s mouth with a passion that burned him all the way to his core, licking every last trace of coffee from his mouth.Tony responded by arching into the kiss and wrapping a lazy arm around the taller man’s neck while his other hand traced delicate circles under the fabric of the opening of the black V-neck shirt the sorcerer wore.  The  genius  marveled at how fast the other man’s heart seemed to be beating under his touch.“I didn’t think I could possibly ever feel this way about another man, but I’ve been wanting to do this for a while.” Stephen  finally admitted letting himself savor the feeling of Tony’s hips under his hands  and  how warm the Nano compartment felt against him, glowing faintly under the dark light illuminating the room. “You’ve never...” Tony trailed off shooting the former surgeon a timid smile and letting his hand draw circles absentmindedly on the taller man’s chest, relishing the softness of it  rubbing over a pert nipple for split second and closing his eyes to hear the small gasp that escaped those  pliable lips.“All my past relationships revolved around women.” Stephen explained feeling a little self consciousness seeping in.“Let me help you.” Tony whispered, his hot breath ghosting over the younger man’s ear, continuing to run his tongue along the shell of it, trailing light kisses down his neck and biting him here and there; breaking the taller man out of his thoughts.Although, Stephen had never been with a man that didn’t stop him from taking a firm grip of the older man’s perfect firm backside-earning a delightfully surprised yelp and grin from Tony. Stephen had seen Tony in action, sometimes having been a little to distracted by the finesse in which he maneuvered the armor and how it traced every curve of his body, accenting all his best assets. Its was kind of a treat to watch the other man fly and often times, the cloak ended up landing awkwardly because of it but the doctor loved watching the brunette whisk through the air, not that he would ever tell him that.This however, was a much better view of the genius. Those whiskey brown eyes  looking at him through those thick lashes  moaning incoherent words of encouragement as he ground his hips slowly into Stephen, almost as if not wanting to scare him away.“Safe words?” Tony asked a little distracted by the scars that were spread throughout the doctor’s collarbone, broad shoulders and chest; they were accompanied by a few light freckles. The man was a sculpture, albeit a flawed one but beautiful nonetheless. Cheekbones for days but still permanently marked by that car accident that changed his life forever. After the accident there had been no instances where he felt compelled to display this level of vulnerability for obvious reasons. His body was a wreck.Tony seemed to notice how quiet Stephen had gotten and took the opportunity to  get at eye level with the other man. The doctor was like a calm storm, brewing in silence and keeping everything locked in that  analytical mind.“Stephen, may I?” Tony, asked sounding a little more  skittish and withdrawn this time.“I’m not a child, Stark.” Stephen huffed out looking a little   flustered at the amount of patience the genius had with him.“So, is that how it is now, we’re back to surnames Doctor Strange?” Tony laughed incredulously  and narrowed his eyes at the sorcerer, looking a little hurt.“This is--.” Stephen began to put a little distance between them and making to get up. The doctor  had been dreaming about this for quite some time but he didn’t want it to be a one time thing and he was afraid that, maybe that’s what Tony wanted after getting out of a long term relationship and rejecting the Captain. Maybe, he thought of Stephen as an easy out and the sorcerer couldn’t stomach it. He wasn’t innocent himself, having been through his playboy phase a few years ago but he couldn’t let it be like that with Tony.  Tony had, had enough of Stephen’s overthinking so he pushed him back down, using a bit more force, just to get his attention shooting him a pissed off glare in the process.“You don’t get to tell me what this is, Strange. Not after everything we have been through. Not after what I saw. I don’t beg, I’m not humble enough to do it but please just look at me. Don’t shut me out again, be honest with yourself.” The older man’s brown eyes darkened and watered, he had never seen the genius look so raw...pained. “Please don’t cry, Tony. I have to be in constant meditative state so my mind doesn’t fracture from all those lifetimes I witnessed.  I have to compartmentalize and you are very distracting.” Stephen explained letting his free hand (the one Tony wasn’t holding) trace pattern’s on the engineer’s cheek, running his forefinger lovingly over the shorter man’s goatee.The billionaire inclined into the younger man’s touch, reveling in that smell, the smell that was uniquely Stephen’s. The taller man smelled like a lake in the middle of a raining forest.  Every minute he spent with the other man just felt right.“So you think I’m cute?” Tony, teased lightly poking the doctor in the chest.“You’re an attractive man.” Stephen relented  trying to hide the smile forming on his lips.“You’re a dashing enigma, Vincent.” Tony confessed; feeling a little amused and lightheaded. Stephen rolled his eyes at that and then finally relaxed.“Now, you’re just abusing my middle name, Edward.” Stephen said, as he caressed the shorter man’s lips with the base of his thumb. Tony didn’t waste time, darting his tongue out and licking the curious thumb, relishing in the effect that small action had on the sorcerer.“Any chance we could go somewhere a little more private?” Tony asked, too enthralled in the younger man’s blue grey eyes to notice him weaving symbols in the air, until they were portalled into an unfamiliar  room in the Sanctum. Tony deduced this must be the sorcerer’s bedroom although from the looks of it , there must’ve been a fire or a tornado because the room was trashed. Only the bed had been spared from the destruction, the dresser was a broken mess and there were  cracked frames with degrees and medical journals strewn all over the floor.

Vindicated

I am selfish I am wrong

I am right, I swear I'm right

Swear I knew it all along and

I am flawed

But I am cleaning up so well

I am seeing in me now the things you swore you saw yourself
Tony continued to look around the room from his spot on the bed, a little distracted by the chaos that seemed to be the other man’s quarters. Stephen took the opportunity think the situation threw, turning his back to the other man and promptly locking the door to his bedroom. The sorcerer stood in front of the mirror that barely clung to the damaged dresser and let impulse take over, shedding the black shirt he had been wearing.  This finally caught the genius’ attention and he took a long appreciative glance at the former surgeon. He had a broad muscular back with shoulder blades that rippled with any small movement. From where the engineer was he could see the light freckles sprinkled over the other man’s smooth  back.Any other person could look at Stephen and see nothing but indifference and cold confidence but Tony wasn’t just anyone.He could recognize the haunted look in the other man’s eyes, it was similar to the one  that stared back at him when he chanced a glance at his own reflection.The wizard seemed to be deliberating with himself. A silent argument brewed in the younger man’s mind. On one hand he could stop this from going any further, could hurt Tony so he would never want to see him again but deep down he also knew that Peter would never forgive him for that and he was too far gone and in love with the genius to destroy him like that.“Hey, hey its okay. You, we don’t have to do this, Steph. I get it.” Tony assured the magus, getting off the bed and walking over to the pensive doctor. Stephen quickly turned around at the suggestion.“Is that what you want tin man?”  Tony smiled at the challenge in those sea green eyes.“Its Iron Man to you tall, dark and tasty.” Tony responded as he playfully pinched the doctor’s side. Without warning, Stephen picked Tony  up by the waist, possessively prying the older man’s mouth open with his long skilled tongue and carting his hands through the engineer’s hair.Stephen knew Tony was used to dominating his partners; he was the type to lead but so was the sorcerer.And experienced or not he knew and felt how right and ready the genius’ body was under his. They ended up against the remaining broken debris of the dresser. The  shirtless sorcerer growled hungrily  biting down on the older man’s bottom lip while discarding his white button down, somewhere in the room by a broken lamp.“So, you gonna tell me what happened here or am I gonna have to beat it out of you?” Tony asked teasingly, between hurried thrusts and kisses, taking hold of the other man’s obvious erection through his dark grey jeans.At this, Stephen pressed  his flushed forehead against Tony’s looking at him with feral lightning blue eyes.“I am not an Avenger but if he ever so much as lays a finger  on you, I will have to murder one.” Stephen whispered in a passionate rage, running his hands up and down the shorter man’s sides.Tony broke. His mind wasn’t operational for the few seconds after  those  words left the other man’s lips and then the meaning of it registered.“God, I love you. Gorgeous.” And the genius who once knew everything, saw something beautiful happen. Stephen Strange simply shattered, the taller man fought back heaving sobs of grateful happiness, avoiding the shorter man’s gaze and taking a few minutes to compose himself.“I’d live a thousand lifetimes this fractured mess if it meant I got to hear those words again, darling.” Those usually stoic grey eyes now shone a hopeful wet green; like a damn had burst.

So turn up the corners of your lips

Part them and feel my fingertips

Trace the moment, fall forever

Defense is paper thin

Just one touch and I'd be in too deep now

To ever swim against the current

So let me slip away

So let me slip away

So let me slip away

So let me slip against the current

So let me slip away (4x)
Tony hopped off the broken dresser, gingerly walking over to the sorcerer, not missing the loving look in those misty green eyes.Stephen’s want and love for the half naked brunette in front of him won out and he walked over and sat on his king sized bed.“Wanna do something fun, sugar?” Tony purred in Stephen’s ear as he climbed into bed behind the blushing doctor loving the  pink that tinted his cheekbones.Stephen wasn’t one to take orders from anyone, but for Tony he’d do anything so he laid in bed as Tony frantically tried to undo both their pants in record time. Stephen smirked and waved his hand muttering something in Latin under his breath.“You’re kidding, Sabrina the Kinky Witch.” ‘Tall guys are jacked.’ Tony thought to himself, quietly admiring the ex-surgeon's lengthy tool. ‘Ha.’ And then he realized his own pants had disappeared as well.“Wow, dreamy.” Stephen said from the other side of the bed, smiling at the brunette and beckoning him closer, brushing one of his long muscular thighs against the genius’ arm.“Touch me.” The sorcerer said pulling the engineer down for a wet, needy kiss.“You got it doc.”  Tony said, flashing a handsome smile at the wizard.There were parts of Stephen’s body, mainly his left thigh that could feel the weight and heat of Tony’s throbbing cock and the pre cum that rolled off the tip and against his pale milky skin.  The thought of Tony’s cum made him harder.Tony knew exactly what he was doing and it drove the mage crazy. How does a perfect wet, agile mouth like Tony’s get to exist?The genius loved the salty taste of Stephen’s dick in his mouth. The size of it made his throat sore. The brunette traced the neatly trimmed arrow at the base of the sorcerer’s cock. Stephen supported himself against the headboard while he combed his shaking hands through Tony’s soft brown tressels. The way the genius captured his gaze through his thick brown eyelashes was a wonderful sight to behold.“You’re exquisite, darling.” The doctor breathed out as Tony massaged his balls and deep throated him violently.“Steph, oh please stretch me. Make me yours.” Tony gasped out as he continued to take the doctor’s length in his mouth desperately thrusting against the mattress, longing to feel more.“Come here.” The doctor called reaching a long arm to grasp at Tony’s erect, deprived girth. Stephen experimentally ran his hand up and down the genius’ length making the shorter man moan and almost purr in approval while he thrust into the fiery touch. Some might have at first confused Stephen’s apprehension with shyness but the doctor spared no time in getting acquainted with the brunette’s wonton body. Tony was a magnificent piece of artwork just waiting, yearning to be explored and devoured. The engineer arched right off the bed after feeling the wet heat of the doctor’s tongue against his puckered entrance. The man was an amazing lover, possessive but gentle like a wave of pure unadulterated passion waiting to be unleashed. Tony couldn’t remember ever feeling this content, fulfilled and in love.VindicatedI am selfish I am wrongI am right, I swear I'm rightSwear I knew it all alongAnd I am flawed, but I am cleaning up so wellI am seeing in me now the things you swore you saw yourself“God, you’re amazing.” Tony said as he tried not to cum too fast just from the other man tracing his hole with his long wet tongue. The genius was a mess of writhing limbs against the mattress almost tearing the sheets right off the bed.“Tony, sweetheart. I’m going to need you to stretch yourself for me. These hands unfortunately have their limits.” Stephen finally said as he came up for air and planted small kisses on the shorter man’s inner thighs.“For you, only for you doc, besides I’m gonna need it-since apparently you ate your greens as a child.” Tony said jokingly as he dodged a pillow the younger man threw at him.“You’re not exactly small yourself.” Stephen said as he bit the shorter man’s hip and came up to meet him for a kiss.“Why, Doctor Strange do you flatter all your patients like this or am I special?” Tony teased smiling into the tender kiss.“If they were anything like you they would be.” Stephen whispered huskily into the engineer’s ear.“How long has it been, Stephen?” Tony asked tentatively.“Since before the accident and I can’t even remember.” Stephen said looking away and avoiding Tony’s searching gaze.“Well, I don’t think I’ve been with a man like this since before Pepper if that helps.” Tony said finally being brave enough to broach the subject.“So, you mean…” Stephen said, trailing off thoughtfully while laying on the other man.“I mean that if we do this, there’s no going back and I’ll not be able to live with the notion that this brilliant doctor doesn’t want to see me any more, capiche?” Tony said, running two fingers through the other man’s silver streaks.“I don’t think I’d fair any better if that happened and Peter would most likely kill me because he loves his father so much almost as much as I love him.” Stephen said allowing himself to smile genuinely for the first time in months. That wide smile lit Tony’s heart up, like he had waited for it his whole life.“Suck.” Tony simply said waving his slender calloused fingers in front of the doctor’s luscious mouth and the man obliged. The engineer crawled out from underneath the former surgeon and used those wet fingers to diligently stretch himself, maintaining eye contact with the doctor the entire time and continuing to stroke himself almost as if to put on a show.“You’re good with your hands.” Stephen said not being able to stop himself from growling hungrily under his breath and taking his own length in his hands, stroking steadily, trying to match Tony’s pace and ignoring the pain radiating in his hands.“Says the guy who literally saved thousands of lives with his own.” Tony moaned as he lifted his hips and rode his hand, loving the look of longing on the former surgeon’s face.“Are you sure?” Stephen said, trying to not get his hopes up.“As sure as I’ll ever be about anything.” Tony said as he brought his fingers to his own mouth and coated them in saliva.“You want me to--.” And Tony cut him off with a powerful kiss.“I want you to make love to me. I want all of you Stephen, please.” Tony whispered against the doctor’s soft lips.“But, Rogers…” The doctor said looking away.“His best friend killed my parents and he ghosted me for years after that plus he’s not the one I’ve been dreaming about since Titan.” Tony said, finally withdrawing and looking the other man in the eye.“I-I’m sorry to hear.” Stephen whispered awkwardly unable to dodge the shorter man’s hurt stare.“You died, Peter died and I couldn’t bare this pain in my chest. The whole time you were gone and I was on Earth trying to come up with a plan I kept having these weird dreams. You, Peter and I living our lives together and somehow I kept seeing Morgan pop up and Nat and Pep and it just felt so right and I hated myself for it. I felt like there was something severely wrong with me. Like I was breaking up my family, but you are my family.” Tony finished as fresh tears fell down his face and he angrily wiped them off.Slight hopeIt dangles on a stringLike slow spinning redemption“You…you saw that?” Stephen asked feeling scared and exposed. The truth is the sorcerer had seen all those lifetimes where Tony survived, he saw them but skipped through those where Peter didn’t make it or where Tony suffered severe damage to his body due to the snap or where all of humanity was extinguished. If Wanda’s magic hadn’t interfered Tony most certainly wouldn’t have made it. Pepper wouldn’t have sacrificed herself for his well being, that was unexpected.“I saw everything you saw and its been driving me crazy ever since you saved my life again from that evil wizard.” The engineer explained, still on edge.“I want you to understand Tony, you and Peter are the most important people in my life and in my line of work anyone could use that against me.”  Stephen said resolutely.“Oh, and I’m chopped liver? Its not like Peter is Spider-Man or I am Iron Man right?!” Tony pointed out, frustrated at the other man’s pensiveness.“Its not the same, Tony. These are mystical threats-.” Again the doctor was cut off but this time it was a stubborn slap on his chest that made him turn his full attention to the genius.“If you think that kid is any less prepared than I am to face a threat bigger than Thanos, you’re more of a fool than I thought. He’s smarter than I am and I don’t care as long as I get to spend every last minute of my life with you, him and my daughter. Don’t argue with me because I’ll win ‘I dream of genie.’” Tony said, ending his little speech with a simple kiss on the doctor’s forehead.“I want to protect you.” Stephen admitted slowly.“I want you, that’s all, that’s it. Endgame.” Tony replied, dead set on the outcome.“Get on top.” Stephen suggested.“Only if you’ll have me.” Tony responded apprehensively as he climbed up slowly on the doctor, easing himself on the man’s throbbing hard, long length. Stephen shut his eyes wanting to savor every last minute of it. The engineer sank down slowly biting his lip along the way. A single tear rolled down Tony’s cheek as he completely sheathed himself on Stephen’s thick phallus. Tony Stark was quite possibly the most beautiful human being to ever walk the Earth and Stephen felt so lucky to be one of the very few people that got to see the genius like this; mouth open in a silent gasp and eyes that stared into his soul, coaxing noises from him that he didn’t know he was capable of making. It was a splendid sight to see, just how easily the older man came undone. The doctor ran his hands up and down the engineer’s sides, trying to help him relax. The brunette moaned and leaned into the touch while he ground his hips deeper against the sorcerer, no longer being patient but wanting to just stay here connected with this wonderful man. The genius lifted his hips experimentally only to slam back down on the taller man desperately, Stephen loved the way Tony’s thighs flexed with every movement and the feeling of the engineers slick warmth engulfing him in a fiery possessive heat as their bodies rocked like waves in the ocean. “Oh..God please yes!” Tony gasped out steadying himself against the doctor, breaths coming in short and ragged as he fucked himself on the man’s thick cock. At last the genius found that tender nerve inside himself and arched into the other man, eliciting a guttural groan from the sorcerer, bringing out something primal and hidden inside the doctor.Stephen threw caution to the wind and quickly maneuvered Tony so that he was under him and he could finally let himself go inside the other man, thrusting long calculated strokes into Tony’s perfect tight ass, making the other man jerk from the sensation. The look of concentration on Stephen’s face as he fucked the genius into oblivion and left avaricious love bites on his spread out thighs made Tony’s own arousal weep at the sight.It’d been so long since Stephen had been intimate with anyone so he was determined to make it last. Sweat beaded on the doctor’s forehead as he desperately slammed over and over into that tight wet heat, loving the hums of approval and gorgeous noises the brunette made as he painted Stephen’s abs with thick warm dollops of arousal as he came from his orgasm.“You’re mine. All mine, is that clear?” Stephen growled hungrily in the older man’s ear biting down on his neck and leaving possessive bruise so that the whole world knew.“Cum for me sweetheart. Let me feel it. I want it please.” Tony whined against the other man’s lips as he felt the spasms shoot hot cum in his bruised, stretched entranced and it dripped down the cleft of his firm ass.“TONY!” And the look of sheer bliss on the taller man’s face as he came was magnificent, eyes knit shut and mouth open in a silent scream as he rode out the last waves of his orgasm and sank against the genius who immediately wrapped his arms around the sorcerer.“I think its safe to say that you’ve ruined me for anyone else Doctor Strange.” Tony whispered against the taller man as he laid there peacefully, loving the sound of Stephen’s heart and the way the other man ran a caring hand through his hair tracing his goatee and peppering his face with small soft kisses.“Next time, its my turn.” Stephen said as he kissed the other man’s forehead and heard a small giggle come from the older man.“So there’s a next time? Also, you bet your sweet ass, magic man.” Tony said, smiling a wide smile and feeling safer than he ever had before as Stephen wrapped his arms around him reveling in this newfound freedom and love.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Nat was adamant in escorting Pepper and Morgan to the doctor’s office. She would get this worried look in her eyes whenever she lost sight of the other woman, almost as if she feared she’d never see her again. So, what better way than to spend more time with her lover and her daughter than to make sure no harm came to them even as Happy drove them to the doctors. Morgan was napping on Pepper’s lap on the trip over, and they held hands in peaceful silence.Nat was still having a little trouble believing that this was actually happening, that somehow by a stroke of luck she’d managed to hold on to the person she loved among all the chaos that had befallen the heroes, since the Mad Titans’ defeat. Pepper was back to business, scheduling press conferences and reinstating herself as a vital chairman of Stark Industries.She had a few moments to speak with Tony alone before he took off to find the sorcerer. She had given him the push he needed to get the courage to do it. He had worried about what kind of effect his evolving relationship with the other man would have on Morgan but Pepper only gave him a hug and assured him that no matter what happened, she would be there and be his friend and Morgan would always have both her parents. Tony gave her his blessing and although the spy wasn’t his favorite person, she seemed to make his friend happy and that’s all that mattered.The billionaire made sure to alert the banks and the government of the red head’s arrival so they could unfreeze her accounts and she had access to some of her old condos from before she disappeared. Pepper immediately got to working on ordering construction for the new Avenger’s compound and the pending reunion announcement, she would be among the new recruits admitted into the accords and the newly reinstated team. Everything was happening so fast; and with good reason. The imminent threat had everyone on high alert and Natasha had already contacted Wanda about getting Carol to bring in the X-men to help. They could definitely use more hands on deck, from what Loki and Pepper witnessed the monster do to that alternate universe. If it hadn’t been for the Tesseract, they wouldn’t have been able to escape Galactus wrath. They needed to find a way to trap him, somewhere where he couldn’t hurt anyone or anything and Pepper held on tighter to her girlfriend’s hand. The fight that was ahead of them would not be easy and they needed to treasure these rare moments, she patted Morgan awake gently as they neared the office and she woke up.“Mommy?” The little brunette girl looked sleepy and a bit startled.“We’re here, honey.” Pepper said softly smiling at her daughter and Nat couldn’t help the sheer joy that overtook her.“She looks like Tony but she has your smile.” The redhead admitted so only the CEO could hear as they exited the car and held her mother’s hand, shying away from the spy.“You look different to her, because she remembers the other version of you,” Pepper explained as Morgan relaxed a little and ran ahead of them.“Well, it makes me wonder what that other you is like,” Natasha said, aiming a playful smile at the taller woman.“Boring and a little mean.” Pepper smirked at the spy as the other woman followed her inside.“So, Tony is…” Natasha couldn’t get herself to word it out.“In love with the wizard. Things change.” Pepper whispered as she watched Morgan play with some toys in the lobby and checked them both in for their appointment, at this Natasha’s mouth dropped a little in surprise.“And Steve?” Natasha asked taking a seat and mulling the news over.“He’s upset.” Pepper explained, trying not to give away too much since Tony was still one of her best friends.“That explains the screened calls I thought he and Barnes would be all over each other by now.” Natasha said, trying to remember when she had last called the super soldier. Reality is, she had been busy herself; remote missions. She had distanced herself since the war-her way of mourning and Clint, Clint was different. He wasn’t the man she knew, it was the same man but their connection was not the same. Wanda’s magic had really messed with reality in more ways than one. People that were killed came back and then some, some of them looking completely different but sharing the same DNA of the deceased. It was strange and still no one could explain it, until the arrival of Pepper Potts and Loki Odinson, that is. “The X-Men, I’ve been doing a fair bit of research on their operation in that school for the gifted. Its not just a school. They have tech Shuri and Tony would both be proud of courtesy of Dr. Hank McCoy and Professor Charles Xavier. They’ve been an established team for quite some time, we could use them to help us with this new threat.” Natasha said, showing the taller woman a few files she collected on different mutants who were housed there and those that were active within the team.“I was thinking the same thing, with their assistance we could probably cover all our bases and this time as a united front. This is not going to end like Thanos. We are not losing anyone.” Pepper said sounding more confident than ever, hands rolled into fists; determined.“This woman right here, Dr. Jean Grey. She seems to have very strong telekinetic and telepathic abilities. There’s footage of her rebuilding the school. Now this one, this one here is very interesting she has the ability to steal memories, energy, and enhancements just by touch; Rogue. She went on to brief the other woman on the rest of the team and their known allies which included the likes of Wade Wilson and Magneto.At that moment Natasha’s phone rang.“Nat, Carol is awake, she’s not happy but she’s awake I relayed the message and the X-Men have agreed to help. I’ll deliver a full report upon our return to the tower.” Wanda said, sounding less exasturbated than she had in a while.“Sounds like we have ourselves a team, now if we can just get the guys to work together that would be great.” Pepper said as Nat hung up the phone and shared the same annoyed look.“Maybe I should talk with Steve, he’s been distant but if I can get through to him and you can talk with Tony we can work this all out. We need our team to be united, there’s too much at stake.” Natasha explained as she took hold of Pepper’s hand, hers shook a little. The CEO could tell the spy was nervous, scared even. A lot of people would say that was impossible because Natasha Romanoff wore her mask of indifference well but Pepper was so used to dealing with the public and media that she learned to see past it-it was how she was able to help Tony through his anxiety attacks when he had first revealed to the world that he was Iron Man.“Its gonna be okay Nat, they’re stubborn idiots but they care about each other and Tony knows we need to do better this time around. Above all they’re friends.” Pepper said threading her fingers with the spy’s and giving her a soft peck on the side of her mouth. A few moments later the nurse called them in to see the doctor and Natasha watched Pepper pick Morgan up and take her inside the observation room. And she was determined to protect them at all costs. It had been a miserable two years for her and the rest of the team and this time they had a second chance to ensure everyone’s safety and she would do anything to shield her family from harm.***Meanwhile on the other side of town Wanda dealt with a disgruntled pilot who had come to and almost immediately got on the defensive. Those reflexes where a plus in battle but not when the woman woke up and almost choked her. Once she realized her abilities where a little subdued than normal she turned to look around the room and let Wanda go. The witch explained what had happened even as the woman glared at Rogue who scoffed and exited the room followed by Logan.“What’s our timeline?” Carol asked, wiping the sweat from her face and starting to feel somewhat normal again. That mutant had really done a number on her. She couldn’t remember ever feeling this weak.“We are unsure of it yet, but we have a team looking into it and we are trying to get as many people involved as possible.” Wanda explained, handing the blonde woman a glass of water, which she took gratefully. Once she gathered her wits she turned to look at the auburn haired woman and noticed she looked a little happier but worried.“And you, how are you doing Maximoff?” Carol asked quietly.“In the past I’ve been able to control what my magic does. I’ve been able to understand it, but it seems to be getting stronger and more unstable. I’m scared I’m going to end up hurting other people unintentionally. All of those people that came back different, I did that and I don’t know how I did it.” Wanda explained, voice shaking as she took a few steps back and sat down on a nearby chair staring down at her hands.“Look, I know we don’t get to work together as much because I’m usually not on Earth very much but I think your powers are very similar to mine, we both got them from experiments directly connected to those stones; when I was working with the Kree, part of the training I underwent was how to control my emotions. I think your magic is tied to your emotions and if you can give yourself time to understand what you’re feeling instead of ignoring it, then you’ll truly be able to grasp the extent of your abilities.” Carol explained as she got up and stretched, feeling the effects of Rogue’s mutation dissipating-had she held on longer the pilot didn’t think she’d be able to move let alone talk.Wanda looked at the other woman momentarily; she had seen what she could do. She wasn’t exactly weak, and she was glad that they were on the same team. She usually looked stoic and emotionless but now and then she caught a genuine smile or a smirk on that impassive face of hers that gave the most terrifying and confusing feelings in her belly, enough so that she had to look away.Wanda still had a lot to figure out. Starting with Peter Maximoff and Eric Lensher. From what the younger silver haired boy had explained, the magnetic mutant was their father. Her mind was a little jumbled at the information and the boy seemed to shy away from her as well, remembering an entirely different person as his sister most likely.Chaos Magic, she would need to talk with Stephen Strange and it was not going to be fun. They weren’t team mates or friends and Stark still hated her.“Talk to Tony first, Wanda.” Carol advised as she saw the wheels in her mind turning.“I’m not his favorite person Ms. Danvers.” Wanda admitted hanging her head.“We still all have to work together to stop the coming threat. We need a united front against this new enemy, he’ll understand. You just need to approach him carefully.” Carol said, aiming a sympathetic look at the witch.“How?” Wanda asked, seriously flustered at the idea and fiddling with the gloves in her suit nervously.“I’ll mediate, it’ll be professional. None of this showing up announced, tell Natasha so that she can relay the message to his CEO and she can set it all up. The first time Thanos beat us it was because we were split into different factors, please give it a try.” Carol said as she looked at the other woman and smiled starting to feel a lot better about the obstacles that lay ahead.“Okay.” And so Wanda texted Nat about the idea and she received a positive response. Pepper made plans for a 5 o’clock meeting the next day between the 3 of them and let Friday know to schedule it and not let Tony ignore it or be a no-show if she had to the red headed woman was determined to drag him to it. It was also part of the new Accords, any meeting requested by Captain Marvel herself was to be attended at all costs.***“What do you think about this?” Natasha asked Pepper as they exited the doctor’s office after finding out both her and Morgan were in perfect health.“I think that it could trigger one of Tony’s anxiety attacks by being in close proximity to her but it could also be helpful to our team.” The taller woman admitted as she ushered Morgan into Happy’s car.“This is growth, I got to know Wanda. She’s been unstable since we met but this is the most I’ve ever seen her put into addressing this glaring issue. If we could somehow get them to understand each other then our team wouldn’t be as affected as before.” Natasha said, getting Pepper’s attention as she took a seat next to Morgan so that the sleepy little girl was resting between both of them, sheltered.“I think its important for him too. I just hate to see him suffer, he deserves a release from the misery the whole winter soldier debacle caused.” Pepper relented looking out the window as they drove away and Nat reached for her hand.“I don’t want anything to happen to you again.” The fading blonde woman admitted looking a little glum.“I have a lot to protect, Nat. I never thought I would see you again and Morgan; I didn’t even think twice about taking her before I met up with Loki. She’s the best of Tony and I.” Pepper confessed as she stroked her fingers through the sleeping girl’s hair as Nat placed a soft kiss on the taller woman’s forehead.“Let me keep you.” Nat whispered in her ear.“You’ll always have me, us. If you’ll have us.” Pepper corrected looking into the spy’s stunned eyes.“I-I can’t have children.” The spy confessed.“Well then it works out, doesn’t it?” Pepper said with a smile as the other woman’s arms wrapped around her and Nat ran a nervous loving hand through the tiny girl’s soft brown hair.“I don’t think you know how long I waited to hear you say that and I’m not like this at all but you’re-you do things to me and I can’t explain it.” The shorter woman stated seeming to withdraw momentarily and shy away.“I don’t want you to feel like that ever again.” Pepper said giving her a lasting smile before wrapping her arms around the spy’s neck. “Where to boss?” Happy passed unbothered by the open shows of affection between the two.“Home.” Pepper said looking directly at Nat’s eye.It took a little while for Thor to convince Loki to change out of his battle gear and into actual clothes to spar in. Loki hated looking even remotely human.“This way we can see how far you’ve come since Ragnorok brother.” Thor commented as they walked through the compound and towards the training grounds, preferably outside as things tended to get a little out of hand-especially with Thor’s lightning.“I’ll have you know I’ve learned a few tricks since then,” Loki said, looking smug as usual.“Glad to have you back, also try not to bite me again,” Thor said as his eyes shined that electric sea blue.“Can’t make any promises,” Loki said as he flashed his teeth.They were almost there until they ran across the two super soldiers heatedly sparring in the middle of the field. It looks like they compromised for one weapon each and Steve looked like he had the upper hand momentarily before James slammed him down with the help of his metal arm.Loki decided at that moment that he hated civilian garb. The black sweatpants he was sporting with the long sleeve green shirt was not helping his situation. Captain America was a bore to look at but the sergeant wasn’t. The look on the brunette’s face when he was fighting was a mix between pain and satisfaction and it was positively delicious. “Is anyone home, Midgard to Loki, hello?” Thor teased as he caught he brother staring a little too long and shifting uncomfortably.“I knew this was a stupid idea.” Loki whispered, annoyed in his brother’s direction.“Nonsense, maybe they’d like to train with us,” Thor said as he aimed an evil smile in the trickster’s direction.“You’ll pay for this,” Loki said under his breath as they made their way over to them and the god of mischief regained control over his body once more.“Greetings,” Loki said, distracting the sergeant enough so that Steve could punch him square in the face and Bucky landed in a disgruntled heap on the ground a few yards away and the trickster cringed in guilt.“That doesn’t count, old man.” James taunted as he nursed the swelling on his face and got up to his feet, stretching a little. The truth is, it did count because he had just been staring slack jawed at the god, the god who looked damned good in civilian clothing. He had a great body, slender and muscular in all the right places and his eyes were like green jewels against a current of blacker than night hair. Loki.Steve kept telling him about all the trouble he had caused in the past but truthfully Bucky had spent the better part of his life working for evil, it’d make sense if he tended to gravitate towards it but he couldn’t be that villainous if he saved Pepper Potts.“You’re staring,” Steve said quietly as they walked over to join the Gods.“I have no idea what you’re on about, Rogers.” Bucky said, trying to look anywhere else, the sky, the track, anything anyone else. Thor.“Oh, hi THOR.” Bucky said with an evil grin aimed at Steve, who tensed a little at the name.“Oh hello Mr. Barnes, I was just telling my dear brother over here that you two might like to train with us? It gets so dull sparring the same opponent,” The blond Asgardian asked with a small smile and a kick in Loki’s direction. The taller of the two responded by sticking his tongue out at the other man. They truly were related.“Sounds like a plan,” Bucky said relaxing a little around the two and patting the blonde of the pair on the back in encouragement making Steve freeze in his tracks.“Wait, what’s going on?” Steve asked looking puzzled.“What’s going on is you’re training with Thor and I’m training with Loki.” Bucky said looking at his friend trying to hide the amusement in his eyes as the Captain began to sport a red hue on his usually impassive features.“Uncalled for, soldier.” Steve said looking a little flustered at the thought of training with Thor they hadn’t really had time to do that since before the Civil War.“Oh, I don’t know I think its totally called for and fair, since his hammer answers to you too.” Bucky teased crossing his arms carelessly behind his neck and walking closer to the taller dark haired God.The God’s just stared in befuddlement, you could tell the two had been friends for a lifetime the jeers where all too familiar and Loki found himself smiling, not the ‘I’m up to something’ smile but a small joyful lift of his upper lip and as soon as Thor noticed it, it was gone. The blonde Asgardian remained oblivious to the super soldier’s flustered attitude. Loki rolled his eyes at the hopeless pair and whispered under his breath.“Pathetic,” He said more to himself than to anyone else.“What?” James asked getting a little too close for comfort, so much so Loki could only stare at the cold blue of his eyes. There was something agonizingly broken in those irises and it made the god a tad bit curious.“My idiot brother and that buffoon is all,” Loki casually said as he put some distance between himself and the sergeant, feeling a little less wrapped up in the unforgiving stare of the winter soldier.“Oh, yeah, so how do you want to do this, weapons or no weapons?” Bucky asked raising his automatic with his flesh arm.“You’ll definitely need a weapon,” Loki said, aiming a smirk in the other man’s direction and winking at him.“You think a lot of yourself don’t you? Lets change that.” James said as he abandoned his rifle on the ground and lunged at the other man only to fall right through an illusion of said man.His eyes widened a little as he crashed on the ground and then he remembered what Steve had said about Loki’s abilities, he was a trickster-a mischievous master of illusion.The real Loki stood where Bucky had been not too long ago, grinning from ear to ear and openly staring at the other man’s backside.Soon enough that Loki was accompanied by 3 more until there were 5 who were all staring at the soldier in the same way. If he could find the real one, he could put stop to it, his physical prowess might be off since his mystical abilities where so amped. It wasn’t like James hadn’t fought an enhanced opponent before, there was just some trick to it almost always. He could use his heightened sense of smell and hearing to find the real heartbeat. So he grabbed a bandana from his jeans pocket and wrapped it around his eyes quickly, scanning the field using his sensory perception and there it was, the heart beat. The God had been too busy amused at the idea of someone blindfolding themselves during a battle his reaction was off when he felt two strong arms wrap around his neck and press a knife to his jugular. “Great illusions by the way, but I’ve learned that you don’t underestimate your opponent,” Loki could feel the stubble against his face as the man spoke in his ear and his breath sent shivers down his spine.“I call it luck.” Loki breathed out hastily trying to wrestle out of the other man’s grasp only to find himself outmuscled. It wasn’t just the vibranium arm it was the way the man held him in place like this wasn’t the first time he had subdued someone of his caliber with this method.“Tell you what, if you can get out of my grip. You win.” James said as he tightened his hold on the god and started literally twisting his right arm to concede, the soldier drew a hard bargain and eventually the god of mischief surrendered. “Now that’s something you don’t see everyday,” Thor pointed out as he laughed at the look on his brother’s face, it was a sound Steve thought he’d never get to hear again.“That’s just embarrassing it took all six of us to take him down, jesus.” Steve said feeling a little relieved as the tense feeling left him.“So what do you say we have our selves a good brawl for old times sake?” Thor said laying a tentative hand on the Captain’s arm and looking at him with those big hopeful electric blue eyes.“Say when,” Steve said as he took a few steps back from the Asgardian and took a defensive stance, shield at the ready.“I think I’ll forgo mijonir for this,” Thor said, as Steve watched him place the hammer down away from them and walked back over to the super soldier. He thought the blonde was still sour over the whole hammer ordeal even though he abdicated the throne and chose a successor it was a sore spot. This was an entirely different Thor from the one he had met years ago in that forest, this Thor carried loss and pain with him like armor. He lost himself in battle, bathed in the blood of his enemies and rarely smiled. Although with Loki’s return there was hope for the future.If there was anyone Steve respected more than Tony Stark, it was Thor. He didn’t have any obligation to fight for Earth, to defend the planet and the Universe, he could’ve let his brother do as he pleased but the man had a moral compass and his heart was always in the right place. It had cost him a lot but he continued to help when he could and share his knowledge of other realms. In truth they could all be a bit pigheaded at times but they made a great team. Together.And he couldn’t let his personal feelings towards Iron Man tear them apart again, he had to be stronger and learn to pick his battles and right now was not a good time to be looking at Thor like that. He was just coming to grips with the fact that Tony was in love with someone else. That he had been too late and lost him.‘Get your head in the game, Rogers.’ Steve chastised himself as Thor charged at him. Thor wasn’t as spontaneous in battle as people thought, he analyzed things from a different perspective, his eyes scanned through the area and he looked for an opening and because Thor had grown up running around coliseums and wrestling with humongous beasts for leisure he knew how to track his prey. Steve’s legs were a bit weak for a man that ran so much but his upper body strength was unmatched, the God knew he had to get that shield out of the way firstly and then deal with then super soldier behind it.Steve saw it coming but the Asgardian was quick to go for his weak side and kick the shield out of the way and Steve was pissed.‘So that’s the way you want it huh?’ Steve said to himself as he landed a few charged blows to the blond god’s jaw before the Asgardian turned laughed in the super soldier’s face and threw a rather small bolt of lightning at him. “Cheater,” Steve breathed out as he shook off the after effects of the lightning.“What? Me, you jest there’s plenty of weapons to pick from, Captain.” Thor said as he rubbed his chin thoughtfully and braced for a roundhouse kick he caught throwing the soldier off balance and in a heap on the grass.It was starting to annoy Steve that cocky grin and saucy demeanor, fine. ‘You asked for it big guy.’“You wanna see if it was a fluke huh?” Steve asked the blonde as he got up to his feet. Stretching a little, standing straighter and raising his arm in the direction of the hammer and no sooner had he done that, that the hammer heeded his call and flew into his outstretched hand.“Excuse me, but what the fucking hell, THOR!” Loki yelled from the side as he saw the super soldier set the hammer down on the grass looking irritated with his brother.“To be frank, I’m still trying to figure that out for myself,” Thor said, dismissing the gaping look on his brother’s face and brushing a stray strand of blonde hair from his face, it was time for a hair cut.“I leave for two seconds and now everyone can lift the thing,” Loki said looking offended as he walked over to the hammer and failed to lift it for the billionth time in his life.“I guess not everyone can lift it,” Bucky teased Loki, smirking at the apparent blush that ran down the taller man’s usually pale skin.“Its too gaudy for my taste anyway,” The trickster said, straightening up and aiming a raised eyebrow in the direction of his brother and the other super soldier who still looked very much annoyed at Thor.“I don’t know why either, I thought he was going to kill you. I just focused on that when it happened,” Steve confessed without daring to look at the god and finding his boots very interesting at the moment. There was a sharp intake of breath from the blonde before he coughed and brushed it off.“Part of me always knew someone else had to be worthy and far be it for me to get in the way of fate, besides Stormbreaker is a far mightier weapon,” Thor said trying to make his voice level, the truth is at that moment he himself believed to be on his way to Valhalla and it would’ve been a welcome defeat at a time when he had nothing left to lose. That was no longer the case however, he had a family among the Avengers and his brother was back and the world seemed to be normal once more. If only he could stop feeling this conflicted over the Captain, it was apparent he wasn’t over Stark at all but they seemed to gravitate towards each other more and Thor suspected it was because of his brother’s keen interest in James.And those timid glances he kept getting from the super soldier did not help at all. His hammer heeding the call of the soldier might as well have been an open declaration of love from the god. It was glaringly obvious and completely unnerving. Just mortals tended to be a little slower in catching up or maybe the other man didn’t have room in his heart for him and he was just pining over someone he could never have. That thought made Thor want to rip his heart out.He hadn’t realized how long he had been staring at the soldier until the Captain looked up and caught the momentary heart break visible in his eyes. Steve’s eyes widened a little in recognition and realization dawned on him.“So are we just going to sit here and gaze into each others eyes all day?” Loki said, earning a glare from Thor.“We can watch a movie?” Bucky offered slapping a hand on Loki’s back making him flinch and bite his lip nervously. “Uh-oh yeah, that sounds great Buck, just do you mind if I hang back a little I’d like to talk to Thor about something,” And the blonde Asgardian visibly cringed and stopped in his tracks as he was making his way out.“Okay, I’ll just show this weirdo around then?” Bucky said as he walked ahead of all of them and gestured at Loki who only nodded and followed him but not before throwing a few sly looks Thor’s way.“Do you mind taking a walk with me?” Steve asked once they were alone.“Lead the way,” Thor said trying hard to keep his voice steady, it came out uncharacteristically high.They took a path that connected to a small forest nearby, it was quiet, save for the birds and small animals that ran about.“I’ve been thinking a lot,” Steve admitted finally daring to break the silence that hung ominously in the air. He was struggling to find the words, that look in those electric eyes was unmistakable because he’d sported it not to long ago after confronting Tony. “Hm,” Was all the blonde God said as he put his arms behind his neck and walked looking up at the sky. It dawned on Steve how beautiful the other man truly was, how connected he was with nature, how the sky seemed to live in his eyes and his should reflected on them, broken but healing.“He broke my heart, I waited too long and now he’s in love with someone else.” Steve admitted walking ahead and trying to hide the pain that threatened to fall from his eyes, it choked him.“Broken things, people can heal. At least, I’d like to think they can.” Thor said quietly as he rested against a tree and watched a squirrel climb up on the other side.“Have you ever been in love with someone so much it hurts?” Steve asked sitting next to the god on the ground knees against his chest, eyes tracing the fallen leaves on the ground.“Unrequited love is painful,” The blonde confessed taking a seat close to the other man but still keeping his attention on the darkening sky.“Loving someone that doesn’t or can’t love you back, I don’t wish that on my worst enemy and here I am,” Steve said sounding sick.“I can feel it here sometimes,” Thor said wrapping his hand in a fist and smacking his chest over his heart morosely.“Is it anyone I know?” Steve asked cautiously, not trying to pry but seeing the other man’s face marred in pain and heart break was too much to stomach.“I can’t do this, I-I have to go.” Thor said abruptly getting up and making to leave before Steve caught him by the arm, stopping him.“Tell me,” Steve said as he gripped the other man tighter making his resolve fade with every second and then his shoulders slumped before he chuckled bitterly.“I might as well show you, you big stupid idiot,” Thor said, hurt dripping on every word as his fist clenched and unclenched and he slammed it against a nearby tree breaking it in half. It took a whole minute for the soldier to absorb the new information and when he did he took one step back.“Now, if you’ll excuse me this has been the second most mortifying day of my life and that includes the day my sister gauged my eye out-good day,” Thor said trying to sass his way out of ‘the talk.’ “Wait a minute, hold on.” Steve put his hand up and Thor turned around frustrated and finally looked at him, giving him the deadest look imaginable.“I don’t need to know what I already know okay?” Thor said, defending his actions and continuing to walk away looking defeated and exhausted.“Don’t leave,” And this time Steve reached for the blonde Asgardian’s hand, catching it in his and making him come to a full stop.“Why? I’m not who you want, I get that. And I’m not a second choice, ever.” Thor said, feeling a little insulted at the sudden show of affection and ripping his hand away from the super soldier’s grasp.“I never said that. You and Tony are two different people. I just didn’t know and I’ve been feeling very confused and overwhelmed lately. This was a very crazy week and you’ll have to excuse me for being so daft.”  Steve said, trying to stop the other man from storming off.At that Thor looked at him and momentarily dropped his guard, letting the other man see the burden he carried the fire burning in his eyes. Steve walked closer to Thor, trying to not push the other man away with his hastiness and threading his fingers through the gods. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone look at me the way you do,” Steve confessed letting the palm of his hand rest on the Asgardian’s beard and licking his bottom lip nervously.“Don’t tempt me, Steven.” Thor managed to breathe out.“A-and what if I did?” Steve said invading the god’s space and openly taking an innocent whiff of the other man’s scent.“Confused. Confusion that’s all this is,” Thor tried to say as the other man laid his hands on his hips.“Maybe its been a long time coming,” Steve said before he planted a firm kiss on Thor’s stunned lips.When Steve pulled away he saw that wanting look in the god’s eyes. “You make it too hard to stay focused,” Thor said looking over at the super soldier through tear soaked eyes.“You’re nothing like him!” Steve yelled finally reaching his peak point of bullshit he was tired of hearing Thor sad and suffering, enough.“Then let me do something,” Thor said as he lunged forward at the captain and held his face in his hands while he kissed him with his entire body.“Wow.” Steve whispered against Thor’s cheek. The pair stood against a tree staring into each others eyes almost absent to their surroundings. “I-that was good,” Steve whispered against the Asgardian’s cheek and Thor responded by gripping him tighter and pressing himself harder against the Captain.“Yes,” Was all the god said before running his tongue along the shell of the other man’s ear and lifting his chin with his index finger before stepping away.“But your heart is still with his, I cannot in good conscious do much else but step aside,” Thor said, sounding disappointed but resolute in his decision as he walked away from Steve and headed towards the compound once more leaving the Captain silently stunned two fingers against his lips.It took a few moments for Steve to collect himself before realizing he was indeed alone. The thunderer had gone but that feeling was still there, it felt familiar. It made something in the soldier stir. The way the solemn God placed a kiss on his forehead, compared to this now that seemed a bit more intimate and he felt his face heat up at the thought. This whole time, the fact that he could even lift the God’s hammer was a glaring testament of his love for the Captain. The hammer was bonded with Thor and must’ve sensed his demise and his own desperation at having to witness the death of the God that it answered his call and this whole time Thor had watched him from the shadows, wanted him and he was blinded once more! But who could blame him, Tony could outshine a supernova, both literally and metaphorically. It hurt to see Tony with him. If he hadn’t been such a coward and apologized like a man before Stephen Strange stepped into their lives who knows the billionaire might’ve even been his husband but he didn’t say anything and just like with Peggy he lost his opportunity and Thor was different. It felt like a small flame against a rough wind, almost like a storm and he yearned for it, to feel the other man’s stubble scrape his cheek and his hard godly body against his own. It made him pause and walk a little oddly back in the direction of the compound like a man stumbling out of a dream.When he arrived at the compound he went off to find Bucky, his voice of reason. “What took you so long old man?” Bucky called from the couch where he was seated in between the two gods, flipping through the menu on the streaming app and inching closer to the mischievous god who had a not so innocent hand on the sergeants knee.“Just a little tired from training is all,” Steve said as he took a seat on the spot next to Thor and closer to the edge of the couch so as to give the Asgardian some space this conveniently gave him better view of the man.“Friday, can you dim the lights please,” Bucky asked the AI politely.The AI didn’t respond but proceeded to dim the lights.“Action or horror?” Bucky asked from his place on the couch.“I’d rather laugh than scream honestly,” Thor said as he leaned forward and fiddled with a random piece of string in his hands.“I second that,” Steve said and Thor continued to ignore him by blatantly looking at the selection screen. The tension was felt by the other super soldier and the trickster, Loki could tell his brother was going through it, he was never this quiet and Bucky noticed how Steve kept taking furtive glances at the blonde.“You know what this is a good one,” James said as he flipped over and landed on 50 First Dates.“A romantic comedy? You can’t be serious?” Loki said narrowing his eyes at the winter soldier.“What? I think its sweet,” James replied aiming a genuine smile at the taller man.Steve studied Thor as the movie began and found the Asgardian to be quite enthralling, even without his Nordic armor he still managed to look regal. He was wearing a black t shirt with grey sweats, that shirt was way too small or maybe the blonde was too big either way he appreciated the sight of those bulging muscles and the sweat that dripped down his back teasingly. His hair was getting longer again it went a little past his shoulders, he loved that look of concentration on the God’s face whether he was in battle or just sitting there determinedly looking away from him. It just made Steve want him more.It really was a sweet movie, and Steve found it endearing how Thor got this sad look in his eyes when Drew Barrymore decided to go to the hospital, finding out about her illness and cutting ties with Adam Sandler’s character. It made him want to hold the blonde’s hand in assurance. Its hard to feel in love when your heart is breaking. And from that moment Steve made it his mission to make the blonde happy. He deserved it. Sad Thor meant more rain.Loki watched his brother wallow in misery and openly glared at Steve and he got a gentle kick from James.“What?” the god of mischief asked looking offended.“Let them sort it out,” James whispered.“I don’t like seeing him like this,” Loki confessed scooting closer to the soldier.“You care about him a lot, I care about Steve too.” Bucky admitted unabashedly, it’d taken some time but he made his peace with the fact that they could only ever be friends.“Why the hel is everyone in love with that pompous, righteous-“ And Loki was cut off by the soldier as he dragged the God to the kitchen by the collar and left Steve and Thor alone.“Can you shut your spoiled little pie hole for a second?” James said glaring at Loki and startling the taller to actually oblige that command.“I’m not in love with my best friend, I was.” James confessed sounding a little miffed but otherwise fine.“Well that’s good then, you can do better.” Loki said giving the sergeant a once over.“You’re not so bad yourself if you’d learn to put that mouth to better use,” James said wagging an accusatory finger in the tricksters direction.“Aye, I’ve always had a silver tongue,” Loki said as he stuck his tongue out at the other man and used his magic to morph it into one of a snake.“You are somethin’ else,” James said looking amused.Loki took this opportunity to use his illusions once more to appear behind the other man and lift himself up on the counter top to sit while he had another one of his clones fetch him an apple.“Show off.” James said as he looked over at the jet black haired Asgardian.“Well technically speaking I’m a prince, and the rightful heir of Joutenheim,” The god explained making James involuntarily lean over at that it was magnetic the effect the taller man had at him. ‘More like prince charming,’ He thought absentmindedly and felt his skin get hot.“Cat got your tounge there, James?” Loki mused, grinning triumphantly.“Uh, its Bucky actually everyone who knows me calls me that,” Bucky explained and the God dismissed this.“But you’re much more aren’t you?” Loki leaned forward a little getting lost in those ice cold wide blue eyes and then the God lost his balance and toppled over on top of the sergeant who knocked his head on the counter on his way down.Loki looked at a loss for words, staring nervously down at the super soldier and the metal hand that currently rested on his hip. The commotion managed to get the attention of his brother and the Captain who both walked over to check on the pair, only to find Bucky nursing a swelling bump on his forehead and Loki scrambling to his feet with the grace of a startled bird.“Apologies, my brother isn’t very tactful when he’s trying to court someone,” Thor said, aiming an evil grin at the glaring God of mischief.“Don’t you put words in my mouth you big oaf, I fell. That is all,” And if the taller God had feathers they would indeed appear to be ruffled.“I jest, I jest. But he isn’t bad looking no?” Thor continued, crossing his arms and looking satisfied at the way his brother’s usually pale skin grew red in color.“I’m right here and thanks, Thor. At least someone notices,” Bucky said as he dusted himself off and stood up with help from Steve.“Hey, you’re not so bad for an old man,” Steve joked, slapping a hand against his friend’s back.“So why the long face brother? I thought you two kissed and made up,” And as soon as those words left Loki’s mouth Steve started half choking half coughing and Thor looked away from all of them, shoulders visibly tensing. Bucky aimed a calculated look of annoyance in the trickster’s direction while the God simply shrugged and smirked back.“Here, eat this so you can shut up,” Bucky said as he threw a bunch of marshmallows in the taller man’s direction and dragged him away from the two men who were pointedly ignoring each other in the kitchen. “You know, you have a disturbing fascination with my mouth, James.” Loki pointed out as they took a seat on the couch and James raised the volume on the TV to give the other two some privacy.“That’s because its so pretty when its closed,” James replied grinning and picking a horror movie while the Asgardian gasped, looking insulted.“Maybe I should show you what else I can do with it,” Loki said as he inched closer to the other man and whispered in his ear.“I could be your grandfather you know?” James pointed out a little apprehensively.“Oh appearances can be deceiving, Thor and myself are actually thousands of years old. Immortality and all that,” Loki, said genuinely smiling at the other man’s surprise.“Well, technically im almost 100 years old in human years.” James explained, relaxing a little and feeling less odd.“I should probably go,” Thor said without looking at Steve and making to leave.It took Steve a few seconds to react to that and so he followed the blonde until they were alone in the hallway that lead to the dormitories.“Thor can you please look at me,” Steve said quietly stopping the Asgardian in his tracks and watching him make fists with his hands as if debating whether or not to just fly the coop.“Why? So you can see how pathetically in love with you I am? Will that make you feel better, Steven?” Thor said, quietly every word heavier than the last.“I don’t enjoy watching anyone suffer, especially if its someone I’ve grown to care for,” Steven relented, walking closer to the other man whose shoulders visibly slumped at the soldier’s admission.“I should have never said anything,” The Asgardian replied, feeling a little too exposed.“It took me a long time to come to terms with the fact that I could love another man, then an even longer time to tell him. I couldn’t even tell Peggy how I felt before I was too late, again. So maybe I’m not in love with you and I love someone I can’t have but I’d rather suffer in your company than without it,” Steve confessed, finally finding the right words to describe the confusion inside himself.“Humans are strange. Putting so much emphasis on gender and sex, and marriage. Back in Asgard all relationships were valued and cherished, I was surprised to find Midgard was so behind on social issues like this, no one should be told who they can and cannot love. Love is universal, Captain.” Thor said, finally allowing himself to look at the other man.“You were right about me. I’m so scared I’m going to lose my team, my family and the people I care about that I try to control every situation; telling myself its for the greater good when in reality its to quell the fear in my heart.” Steve said taking a few steps closer to the god.“Captain America being afraid is going to take some getting used to,” Thor said, letting a tiny smile break the sad look on his face for the first time in the day and Steve owned that small victory.“I don’t want to hurt you and I don’t want to hurt any more,” Steve admitted invading the blonde’s space once more.“Then don’t do this…” Thor said looking away from the soldier again before the other man turned his face so they could stare straight into each others eyes. Steve could see the desire in those ocean blue eyes, the bitterness, the yearning sadness and he ached to make it all go away. “If you wanted to stop me you could,” Steve whispered against the God’s lips before kissing himself feverishly, needing, pressing his entire body against the taller man and running his hands through those lengthening golden locks, loving the feel of his beard against his chin and the way Thor reciprocated his affections with as much fervor if not more. It was becoming very clear just what kind of effect the super soldier had on the God as the blonde picked up the Captain by the waist and pressed him against a wall, his hardening arousal apparent through the thin fabric of his sweat pants and he wasn’t alone in that respect. “I wouldn’t dream of it, but I do suggest we go somewhere more private? Unless you’re into exhibition,” Thor whispered in the soldier’s ear before running his tongue along the shell of it.“Your room, now,” Steve said as he pulled the other man by the waist in the direction of his dormitory and as soon as the door shut Steve breathed a sigh of relief before turning back to the god.“I have every intention of ravishing you if you wish it so, but I don’t intend to take that which isn’t given to me willingly.” Thor said, putting a little distance between himself and the soldier as he took a seat next to the man on the bed.“I-I’ve never, I mean I-“ And the god cut him off then, it wasn’t a very well kept secret that the Captain was still very much innocent in that respect.“I won’t do anything you don’t want me to do, Steven. We can stop now and it won’t go further than this,” Thor said, aiming a half smile at the nervous soldier.“I wanted him to be my first and now the thought of seeing him with someone else makes me sick, I need you to help me forget him…” Steve confessed, feeling selfish and insecure at the same time.“If that’s what you wish,” Thor responded, turning to look at Steve with a thoughtful look on his face before laying a tentative hand on the soldier’s knee and standing up to flip on some music. His room at Stark’s was a bit nicer but the compound had a familiar feel to it and the blonde god let himself relax, removing his shirt and stretching before turning the lights down. He didn’t get completely undressed because he didn’t want to scare the other man, this was something that required patience, the fact that he’d gotten this far was a feat in itself. Something the Asgardian didn’t intend to take for granted. He could tell the soldier was nervous, which made him want to set his mind at ease. Thor reminded himself that this wasn’t about him, even though he very much wanted it to be so-this was about helping Steven. Steve watched Thor timidly from his spot on the bed, for a second he thought the God would get fully undressed but he stopped short of removing his sweat pants and instead discarded his shirt. The god had an amazing muscular back that rippled with every movement like silent wave of muscle. He had the body of a warrior and it made the super soldier swallow apprehensively. He had never gotten this far with a dame let alone a man but this was no man. He was one of the few surviving Gods of Asgard, his team mate, his friend and now lover?“Your thoughts are very loud, Steven.” Thor commented as he walked over to the opposite side of the bed and laid down.“I just feel guilty for laying all of this on you. You don’t deserve any of it,” Steve said, looking over at the blonde man and aiming a sad look at the god.“Then don’t think so much, a lot of people believe I’m completely devoid of all sense and probably not one of the brightest Avengers but there’s a reason for it. Thoughts can be dangerous and all consuming as well. If I thought of all the bad things that I’ve lived to see, I would never sleep. I would never know peace.” Thor confessed, and his mind seemed to travel elsewhere for a second before he pushed those thoughts away again and focused on the present.“You have a beautiful singing voice,” Steve mused, trying to change the subject and remembering that he wasn’t exactly supposed to know that.“Oh?” Thor said, looking at the other man and sitting up in interest.“I-I heard you singing at the tower. I wasn’t trying to intrude I just thought it sounded lovely, sad but lovely.” Steve admitted, feeling a little more at ease and scooted closer to the god and let Thor wrap an arm around him. The Asgardian seemed to understand how important this was and he didn’t seem to be in much of a hurry.“Aye, we mourned our dead differently on Asgard and my wayward brother, as much of a pain as he could be; I still have love for him. As our father did.” Thor confessed as he looked out the window.“In his own screwed up way, I think he cares about you a lot too,” Steve said as he cracked a smile at the thunderer.“I don’t think you understand how much that means to me.” Thor admitted finally letting his mask down and his shoulders seemed to relax as well.“I don’t exactly know what I’m doing here, so help me out a little okay?” Steve said finally allowing himself to touch the god. It was gentle, almost shy the way he ran his hands down the god’s arms appreciating every curve of his biceps and the way he seemed to gasp at his clumsy touches.“In a dance, do you lead?” Thor asked laying a chaste kiss on the soldier’s cheek.“Yes, usually…” Steve replied, trailing off and letting his mind wander.“This is like a dance except I’ll be leading, however you can set the pace.” Thor said as he pulled the Captain on top of himself without much effort, earning a small yelp of surprise.“I think I’m okay with that, thank you for being so patient with me,” Steve said pushing the Asgardian’s hair back and away from his face. It was a little strange looking into those mismatched eyes, the blue one and the yellow eye he’d procured from Rocket. He ran a finger underneath the scar where his real eye used to be.“Hela, wanted to make a statement and draw parallels between myself and my father. It cost me an eye,” Thor admitted looking self conscious for a minute before Steve laid a soft kiss on the scar.“We thought you had been killed, when I saw you again in Wakanda I grew hopeful that we could beat him but I’m glad that’s over now and I know how much you’ve lost as a result of it and I am truly sorry of how self centered I’ve been as of late,” Steve said letting himself breathe a sigh of relief and straddle the blonde God  beneath him. The Captain felt emboldened at the amount of control he was allowed in this situation so he shed his shirt, earning a once over from the thunderer.“You truly are a sight for sore eyes, Steven.” Thor replied running an expert hand down the super soldier’s back and letting it rest on the small of it, enjoying the small gasps that came from the captain’s lips. He loved the reactions he got from the soldier from his tender touches. It stirred something in the pit of the god’s belly. Feeling a little more relaxed, Steve rolled his hips experimentally against the god’s lap.“Is this okay?” The soldier asked a little timidly and it made the god’s heart swell with joy.“You can do with me as you wish, Steven. I am more than willing,” Thor growled out pulling the soldier down a bit roughly to crash their lips together as his calloused fingers circled the pert nubs of the surprised soldier’s chest who melted into the kiss and took the liberty of carting his hands through the growing dirty blonde hair. It was surprisingly soft. Steve started feeling a little small and self conscious, Thor was just so massive in comparison to him, even with the serum-Steve still felt like that scrawny kid from Brooklyn at times. The captain looked away and out the window, certainly even next to someone like Tony he could appear small. Tony was well built even for a man without enhancement that ‘came from a bottle.’ Thor noticed how quiet Steve had gotten and turned the other man’s face to look at him. He look both timid and a little heartbroken.“I keep thinking how I’m not good enough, I guess part of me is still the kid getting the snot beat out of him in the alley. The kid that needs rescuing,” Steve confessed, feeling those heavy blue eyes on him before the god sighed and placed a gentle hand on the man’s cheek.“You’re one of the bravest men I’ve ever met Steven. I wouldn’t be here right now if you hadn’t saved me, many have tried and failed to be worthy but you are more than worthy. I knew there was something uniquely special about you the day I met you and I was right,” Thor replied kissing Steve on the forehead and sitting up.“What are you doing?” Steve asked as he watched the blonde throw a different shirt back on and tie up his hair in a pony tail.“I think you first need to heal, as much as it tempts me. For now at least,” Thor said as he walked over to the super soldier and pressed another probing kiss on the stunned Captain’s lips immediately gaining entrance and then the Asgardian laid a large appreciative hand on his ass.“Okay,” Steve said, barely audible and as red as could be.“Come now, I’m afraid if we dally too much Loki will get into some trouble,” Thor mentioned before pulling the Captain to his feet and dragging the startled super soldier by the hand back to the common room. They continued to hold hands the whole way there, the Captain unusually shy and keeping his eyes on the ground before they walked in on Loki straddling the winter fucking soldier on the living room couch.“What the fuck,” Steve grunted looking offended at the very sight.“Language Stevie,” Bucky said, daring to lay a kiss on the crook of the trickster’s neck.“Loki doesn’t waste time when he wants something or in this case someone,” Thor explained as if it was the most natural thing in the world and took a seat on the far side, beckoning an open mouth flabbergasted super soldier to take a seat next to him.“Well, you two were gone for a long time and I was bored,” Loki drawled stretching like a cat against Bucky.“Don’t lie you jumped me,” Bucky teased waving an accusatory finger in front of the god of mischief to which the taller man responded by sticking it in his mouth and licking it suggestively.“Tramp,” Thor called, mirth back in his mismatched eyes.“Got something to tell me brother, any new developments I should be aware of, is there an heir in the future of New Asgard?” Loki said, straightening up and sitting next to the sergeant with a wide smirk on his face and laying an arm around the super soldier.“I’m watching you,” Steve said narrowing his eyes at the taller Asgardian and motioning towards his best friend.“Aye, the feeling is mutual, Captain.” Loki, said eyes shining the greenest emerald known to man, a threat-a suggestion. It was Loki after all. Regardless of how many times he tried to invade Earth he held a soft spot for Thor because Thor didn’t see him like everyone else. “Sorry to interrupt sirs, but Miss Potts and Miss Romanov are arriving,” Friday called just before the two women made their way through the doors the glass doors leading through to the common rooms. Steve became very aware of how Thor held his hand, giving him enough room to pull away if he wanted and he found surprisingly that he didn’t want to. “Nat, hey,” Steve said, noticing the way her eyes widened momentarily at witnessing their joint hands.“I’ve missed a lot apparently,” Natasha said a smile playing on her lips as Pepper raised an eyebrow in the direction of Thor and Steve.“Can we talk?” Steve asked, letting go of Thors hand and aiming a soft look at the Asgardian before standing up and hugging the blonde spy whose hair was currently fading to red again.“Miss Potts, how have you been?” Thor asked, genuinely interested as he found the CEO to be a remarkable leader and warrior.“Jumping through multiverses can really summon up an appetite Mr. Odinson,” Pepper said looking at the God and smiling before taking a seat next to him and giving Nat an encouraging nod in Steve’s direction. As Natasha and Steve retreated to a table at the far side of the room to talk Pepper took a seat next to the blonde, nodding in acknowledgment at Loki, who astonishingly smiled at the red head. A genuine smile devoid of mischief.“I wanted to thank you for getting my brother back you truly are a strong woman and warrior, Lady Potts,” Thor said, bringing the befuddled red head in for a hug.“Hey, that’s not fair-I found her,” Loki said looking offended at the mere thought of him being a damsel in distress.“Yes you did but if I hadn’t told you what I knew before you tried to kill us all again, you would’ve never agreed to help regardless thank you for helping Morgan and I make it out alive, Loki. I mean it,” Pepper said smacking a hand on the surprisingly happy god of mischief.“Aye, you’re a good woman Pepper Potts,” Loki replied looking at her with respect in his green orbs something that was rare for the Asgardian. While Pepper texted the nanny and made sure Friday was aware of Morgan’s location Steve spot with Nat.“So, you and Miss Potts?” Steve ventured looking at the spy expectantly.“She’s not going to marry him, I just wanted to check on you because I know what happened with Stark,” Natasha responded.“He’s in love with someone else, I’m happy for you. She seems like she really loves you, you deserve it,” Steve confessed, looking down for a moment before aiming a winning smile at the spy.“Okay, spill Rogers what with you and blondie?” Nat said punching him in the shoulder playfully.“He really likes me,” Steve said taking a second to appreciate the Asgardian sitting over there merrily talking with his teammates and brother.“I could’ve told you that one, its just when I lost her. I lost part of myself. Clint isn’t the same, he’s deaf. He doesn’t remember me, he remembers a different version of me. Our team is so divided its going to hurt us in the coming war,” Natasha said speaking out her fears, the ones she didn’t wish to burden Pepper with. Pepper who had narrowly escaped extinction in a whole other universe with a child no less.“We are going to make this work, we can’t have survived that maniac if it wasn’t for our chance to continue living and trying to make the world a better place. They are both safe with you; all of us are,” Steve said pulling the other woman in for a hug and laying a soft kiss on her forehead while she squeezed his arms and pulled away giggling.“Give him a chance, he’s a good man, deity-whatever. Thor is our friend, don’t fuck this up Steve,” Nat said quietly as they both stared at their lovers, seeing their strengths, watching them laugh together. This was worth saving.Before Friday had a chance to announce their arrival Carol strolled in the door followed closely by Wanda. Carol looked pissed. Wanda looked wary and kept close to the older woman as they both took a seat on a sectional close to the book case in the corner of the room.“Did he give you any trou-“ Thor said but Pepper raised her hand to stop him as she got up and stormed over in the direction of the witch.“I don’t think we’ve properly met,” Pepper said, all joy gone from her tone and standing taller than when addressing the UN on Tony’s behalf.“I-Miss Potts, just hold on a minute okay?” Carol said looking up at the angry red head and trying to calm down Wanda at the same time.“No, you. I want you to listen. You hurt him again, one more time to the point where he overdoses because he hasn’t slept in two weeks. I will hunt you down bare handed and kill you where you stand. Are we clear Miss Maximoff?”Pepper said looking right down at the auburn haired woman with a fiery determination and receiving only a nod in return.“Honey, what the fuck are you doing,” Natasha said as she ran over to the women and tried to make peace.“I’m letting your teammate know my boundaries,” Pepper simply said as she turned on her heel and walked back over to sit next to Thor not bothering to introduce herself to Carol.“Hi, yeah. That’s my girlfriend, don’t take it personal Carol,” Natasha said running over to the witch and the pilot and apologizing.“No, she’s right. I interfered enough to cause me to lose Viz,”Wanda said turning away from the spy and crossing her arms over her chest.“We need to stay focused. The X-Men have agreed to help but I don’t trust them, we need to set up times to run drills and actually plan out our attack as a team. This whole bickering with each other is not going to work,” Carol replied crossing her arms and looking over at Wanda sympathetically.“We’re working on it, trust me its gonna be okay. They won’t catch us at a disadvantage this time,” Natasha assured both women.Elsewhere at the Sanctum Tony sneezed as he got dressed and Stephen did the same.“I have to meet with the witch courtesy of our new captain, any chance you’d like to join me Gandalf?” Tony asked Stephen looking over at the man who was currently magically fastening one of the hundred belts on his robes.“Are you asking me for help?” Stephen asked letting himself smile and stop inwardly panicking since they did that.“Yes, Tinker Bell.” Tony threw back laughing a little in turn. He couldn’t help it he felt giddy. Stephen.“Okay, but how do you-I mean, what” and Stephen was cut off as Tony ran over and gave him a quick peck on the lips before laying an arm around the sorcerer.“Lets go, I want them to know you’re with me,” Tony whispered against the doctor’s ear making him stiffen and then relax before he kissed the mechanic on the forehead and proceeded to draw a portal towards the compound.“After you, my dear.” Stephen said as he let go of Tony’s hips and motioned towards the stunned faces sitting in the common room across from the swirling mystic vortex.“Tony!” Pepper yelped running over immediately and giving him a welcoming hug.“Hey, Pep. Did the party start without me?” Tony asked as he looked around at all the familiar faces in the room already feeling claustrophobic.“Never, you’re the life hun,” The red head said as she pulled him towards the center of the room and Stephen stayed behind surveying his surroundings feeling a little apprehensive.Tony immediately noticed how close Steve and Thor sat; the god’s head on the captain’s shoulder and he tensed. That was unexpected. How was he supposed to even take that but then the brunette looked over at the doctor and called for him, feeling safer all of a sudden. The taller man took a few strides over stood beside the genius, not touching him but standing close enough to shield him from whatever might come.This annoyed Steve.“So lets talk and yes, I’m going to need a drink for this,” Tony said as he sat down and a whiskey neat appeared on the coffee table before him. Stephen opted to summon a chair and the cloak flew off into the corner. Tony could tell the sorcerer was nervous sitting there after having attacked Captain America but it wasn’t fear in his blue grey eyes he saw, it was a calm resolution and that made the mechanic breathe out a little ragged. Stephen had a way of making him forget how to breathe.“We’re supposed to work together, Bruce isn’t even here and neither is Sam,” Steve finally said looking at the floor, his lips a thin line.“Bruce will help us because he’s our friend and so will the Guardians,” Pepper interjected standing straighter and aiming a sharp look at the super soldier.“I think what Steven means is we need to prepare for this very real threat to Midgard, it is not  a secret that something bigger than we have ever faced is on it way, we need to work as a united front or face extinction once more.” Thor added looking around at everyone and letting go of Steve’s hand.“Thor’s right,” Pepper said stepping closer to the god and aiming a knowing look at Loki.“I have the tesseract, if I hadn’t accidentally ended up in that multiverse where Miss Potts remembered the events that where to unfold I would’ve been lost within time and space. There were heroes who stood up against that cursed being and failed after Stark’s death,” Loki confessed trying to advert his eyes from the billionaire who raised an eyebrow. Stephen placed a calming hand on the mechanic’s arm, giving him a reassuring look.“So we do it together, as a team. The kind doctor here isn’t an Avenger and has thus far rejected my offers to join us but he has agreed to help with this particular issue. I know we have had our differences in the past but I am extending an olive branch here, any takers?” Tony said finally laying down his empty glass and looking around the room at the throng of heroes, this time he turned to look at Bucky directly.“And therein lies the problem, Tony…” Natasha said as she stood up and aimed a hard look at the engineer before gesturing at herself, Wanda and Steve.“How do you expect him to react? This man killed his parents, she brainwashed him-you all became enemies of the state. I love you but Tony has every right to feel this way, Nat.” Pepper surmised she sat next to Tony and laid a gentle hand on his forearm, noticing how the man had tensed a little at the confrontation.“And, if I had understood at the time the type of damage my presence had caused-I would’ve let them take me to face prosecution from the state prior to my desertion. It was never my intention to distance Steve from the only family he knew while I was working for Hydra. I-I wish I could take it all back,” Bucky relented, looking over at Tony and meeting his empty brown stare. His eyes looked heavy with something akin to a hunched predator waiting to pounce but then a gentle hand at his shoulder from the sorcerer seemed to calm his nerves.“That still doesn’t change the fact that he seems to have a problem with me,” Steve added, seated and turning over to stare angrily at the sorcerer who scoffed.“Okay, this is way too much testerone for me, stop acting like children or so help me!” Carol said finally having had enough and striding over quickly turning to look at the lot of them like misbehaving children. “Whoa, okay hold on sparky-let me think, will ya?” Tony said looking up at her golden glowing eyes.“Think faster, this can’t end like last time, the universe is finally starting to return to a somewhat normal shitshow,” Carol snapped waving her hands in the direction of Wanda who stumbled forward awkwardly.“I-I think I need help controlling my magic,” Wanda relented looking directly at Stephen and feeling his cold icy stare down to the tip of her toes.“I want to make something clear. I’m here because Tony asked me to be and because any threats mystical or otherwise require my skills as a master of the mystic arts. I don’t trust most of you but I do feel it is my responsibility as the sorcerer supreme to help this young woman hone her magic,” Stephen said loudly and clearly for everyone to hear without needing to stand up.“So we’re all good, we’re gonna do this right?” Natasha asked looking around at all of them.“I like you, you’re a good man Stephen Strange,” Pepper said stepping forward and crouching down to hug the surprised former surgeon.“Thank you, Miss Potts,” Stephen replied with an uncharacteristically soft smile playing on his lips and Tony reached for his hand and squeezed gently.“I’m glad you’re okay, Stark,” Thor commented aiming a grin at the mechanic.“Me too, big guy.” Tony said managing to shoot the god a half smile and noticing how the blonde ran a tender finger across the captain’s knuckles, soothing him. For some weird reason that innately bothered the billionaire and he gritted his teeth.“So, we’re all in agreement? Magic man is gonna help the witch control her powers and we’re all going to start running drills and training like an actual team again, right?” Pepper asked, squaring her shoulders and crossing her arms as Carol stood by her side, coaxing everyone else to nod in approval.“What about the spider lad and his friend?” Thor asked and Tony chuckled.“I’ll have Friday relay all of this to Karen and see if Wade wants to assist us in our partnership with the X-Men,” Tony said as he directed Friday to do just that. “I’ll let Sam know what’s going on and Thor can talk to Bruce and the Guardians,” Steve added, finally letting his guard down and catching Tony’s eyes with his.There was a light in them, there was hope.