Loving and fighting

"I just wanted to be like you!"
"And I wanted you to be better."

Accusing, uniting

"Kid, that's the wizard. Get on it."

I can't imagine a world with you gone

"Dad? I don't feel so good."

The joy and the chaos, the demons we're made of

"You shoot my guy-"

I'd be so lost if you left me alone

"I'm sorry."

Hold on, I still want you

I want you here with me. Safe.

Come back, I still need you

Is that too much to ask?

Let me take your hand, I'll make it right

"Gotta let go Pete! I'll catch you!"

I swear to love you all my life

He's my kid.

Hold on, I still need you

Please don't take him away from me.

A long endless highway, you're silent beside me

"That wasn't a hug, but okay."

Drivin' a nightmare I can't escape from

"Tony, it's Peter."

Helplessly praying, the light isn't fadin'

Please don't leave me.

Hiding in the shock and the chill in my bones

"I hope they remember you."

I pull you in to feel your heartbeat.

"You're alright."

Can you hear me screaming, "please don't leave me"

"I don't wanna go, please!"

Hold on, I still want you

Please. Come back to me.

Come back, I still need you

I can't do this without you.

Let me take your hand, I'll make it right

"I told you you would pay for that."

I swear to love you all my life

"What's up dad?"

Hold on, I still need you.

--------------

The battle was over.

Months of searching, of pain, of scouring the galaxy for Thanos finally paid off.

Tony found himself standing over the body of the Titan, no longer fearsome in death.

The stones formed a spiral over the body, as if mourning the fall of a giant.

Each of the Avengers took one, the last being Clint, and Tony, who took the soul stone together.

Clint gave a reassuring nod to Tony. "We'll get our kids back."

The two had had their differences, but on the second day of Tony and Nebula's arrival in Wakanda, the archer had approached Tony.

------------

Tony was sitting at the desk in his lab when Clint sat beside him.

The billionaire stiffened, refusing to look at the man.

"So," the word was soft. "Who did you lose?"

Tony looked away. "Why do you care?"

"Because I know the look of a grieving father. I lost my kids. You did too, didn't you? Your kid. Peter."

--------------

It was late that evening that he got the phone call.

"Tony?" Pepper's voice was shaking, her words barely legible. "Tony you have to get here now!"

Tony dropped what he was doing, focusing on the call. "Pep? What happened?"

He had been working on some way to get back to Titan, needing to know if everyone returned where they had dusted.

"I'm fine, but Tony you have to get back here!"

She had been forced to stay at the compound, for safety reasons.

"Pepper," Tony tried to stay calm. "What happened?"

"This man- some guy he had a red cape- tall- called himself Strange-"

"Pepper!" Tony said urgently. "Focus. Dr Strange was there?"

"He- he brought Peter back!"

Tony suited up, and shot into the air.

--------------

Tony landed on the balcony of his and Pepper's suite, pushing through the door before the suit was completely off.

Pepper ran to meet him, tugging him toward the living room. "He hasn't said a word, Tony."

The air rushed out of Tony's lungs as he caught sight of his son.

He was still wearing the ironspider suit, bloody, and dirty. His face was stained with tears, and he was curled around a pillow, holding on for dear life.

"Peter?" Pepper said softly. "Peter, look."

Peter's gaze slowly lifted, his eyes glazed over.

When he saw Tony, he straightened, a ragged sob clawing through the air between them, and Tony dropped to the floor beside him, one shaking hand reaching out to touch Peter's cheek, as if to make sure he was real.

The teenager seemed to crumple, falling against his dad, sobbing.

Tony pulled the boy closer, whispering reassurances in his ear. A sense of relief filled him, holding his boy, being safe, and being home.

Peter buried his face in Tony's chest, trying to pull himself closer, and the father cradled his son against him, pressing soft kisses to his head. "It's okay now, bambino. It's okay. I'm here. I'm right here. You're back. You're safe."

Even when Tony was starting to feel sore from sitting on the hard wood, he didn't move, content to hold Peter close, rubbing gentle circles on his back, rocking back and forth.

They only moved when Peter started dozing, and Tony lifted him onto the couch.

When he moved away to grab a blanket, Peter shot up, his eyes wide and panicked. "Don't leave!"

Tony quickly moved back over, wrapping the blanket around his son. "I'm not leaving bud. Scooch over a bit."

Peter curled up on the cushion, hugging his knees, and watched Tony as he sat back down, and held out his arms, then quickly hugged him again.

They fell asleep like that.