^real life message from when I was writing this chapter!

You knock on Tony's door.

After a few moments, it opens, and he appears. He looks surprised. "Oh! Y/N! I wasn't expecting you."

"I know. It's been a while, could we catch up?"

He nods and lets you inside.

"Just be careful. There's wet paint on the walls." You look over them and see it appears to be covering previously done paintings.

He's erasing the fact Paige ever lived here.

You follow him through to his kitchen. Little Juno is sat, scribbling on paper. She must be just over 2 and a half years old.

"Hello." You smile. She blinks at you.

"How have you been?" He asks.

"Good, and you?"

"I won't lie to you, Y/N, it's been a bit tough. Look, I know why you're here. Just make your point."

You nod. "Yeah. That'll save time. Why'd you divorce Paige?"

He looks down. In the light of the kitchen, you see him for what he is. Ashamed, exhausted, troubled.

"I'm wondering the same thing." He says quietly. "I made a mistake, Y/N. I've been thinking a lot. It doesn't change anything. I... I want to learn more and help her. But I doubt she'd... I doubt she'd take me back."

You nod. "Mm. I doubt it too. She's not... she's not in a good mental space and I'm not sure if a relationship would do much to help that. But...maybe get in touch about Juno. She's desperate to see her daughter."

He nods. "Yeah... you're right." He laughs softly. "Y/N?"

"Mm?"

"Maybe I could come back with you and talk to her? In person? Unless it'll put her in a bad way. I don't want to cause more damage than I have already."

"You could. That might be helpful, actually. Come on."

Tony picks up his daughter and the three of you head to your car. You return back to your home, and you head inside.

Shrignold happens to be passing by, and sees Tony. "Oh, dear..." he mumbles, before containing on.

You go to the kitchen. Paige is in deep conversation with Steve, who's cooking something that sounds rancid. She turns and sees Tony, and stops talking.

"Hello." He says, awkwardly.

"Hi." She replies. She glances at you in terror. You give Tony a gentle push towards her.

"Could we talk?" He asks. She turns to Steve, seeing you're not going to help her.

"But I'm helping Steve."

"Don't worry, we've got it all under control. And besides, you're just gossiping."

She just nods and looks back at him. "Okay. Make it quick."

He sits across from her, and places Juno into her arms. She perks up slightly.

"Are you okay?" He asks her quietly. She nods.

"I think I'm getting there."

"Good." He drums his fingers awkwardly. "I care about you."

"I care about you too." She says. "But I care about me as well."

"Help me learn. Let's just be friends for now. Please, lead to me to places I can learn about this."

She hesitates. He takes her hand and squeezes it. She nods. "Let's do it."

He smiles and stands up, bringing her into a tight hug. She looks a bit awkward at first, but she eventually hugs him back, resting her head in his shoulder as you've seen her do countless times before.

With a small smile, you leave the room.