Endgame spoilers.

Though this is an AU, it will have some canon compliant scenes along with dialogues from the movie.

Just not- *shivers* that scene.

Anyway, I'm still on hiatus for this book, but I had this idea, so...

Uh...

So this is an AU where Tony got dusted instead, and so Peter and Pepper still go to live at the cabin, away from the world, Pepper was already pregnant with Morgan, so they raise her, Peter being the best big brother, and then Steve comes, yadda yadda...

I did the scenes of Tony and Morgan, except it's Peter and Morgan, so the 'ILY 3000' is them, so is the '2nd chance right here', and AGHHH MY BABIES.

Anywho, this idea came to me, and wouldn't stop niggling at my brain til I wrote it, so have this 5k oneshot about an alternate endgame scenario.

Sorry for the long author's note, but here, without further ado,

*dramatic drumroll*

The End Of Infinity

Dun dun dun daaaaaaaaa.

Okay, I'll stop now.

Or will I?

*evil laughter*

All right, all right.

Here you go, my lovelies.

The day on Titan was lodged in his memory.

He had never been so afraid in his life.

Not when he was fighting the Titan, more afraid then at the warehouse, he was terrified.

He had heard a soft gasp, as the guardians disappeared, and had turned to see his dad looking at his hands before reaching for Peter. His eyes- he had been scared.

"Dad?" He had choked. "No. Please- please don't leave me. Please don't go- please-"

But he had, with Peter's name on his lips, he had disappeared.

And Peter was alone, fingers gripping the hard dirt of the alien planet.

Until a blue, mechanical alien approached him, the one who had fought with them, and knelt. "We must go. I promised your father I would keep you safe."

"He isn't- he isn't gone, he can't be-" the words cut deep, and he couldn't hold back a sob. He's gone.

"He said you were his son. And I promised to care for you. Come."

Her touch was gentle as she lifted him to his feet, helping him stumble towards the ship. "He said there were others waiting on Terra."

On day eight in the empty wasteland of space, he curled up in a ball as hunger pangs raced through his stomach.

On day thirteen, he played paper football with the blue woman, Nebula, and smiled softly when she lit up like Christmas lights the first time she won.

On day eighteen, she gave him the last of the rations.

It was day twenty three when they ran out of oxygen.

And day twenty three, that a light appeared, fading to show a smiling woman floating outside the bridge of the ship. 

It was only hours after that she landed them back in Earth.

Nebula helped Peter to the ramp, supporting most of his weight on her shoulders, as the team came to meet them.

Steve Roger's was first, gripping Peter's shoulders in his hands. "Tony?"

The teenager shook his head wearily.

Tears welled in Pepper's eyes as she came forward to hug Peter.

"You are Pepper, correct?" Nebula asked bluntly.

Pepper nodded shakily against Peter's neck.

"Stark asked me to care for his son until I could get him to you."

Peter heard several sharp inhales, but Pepper's voice was strong. "Thank you." Her grip tightened. "Thank you. We'll be okay, Peter. Okay?"

He nodded.

"We can take care of each other, yeah?"

He nodded again.

When Pepper told him she was pregnant, his first reaction was joy.

Then pain.

Dad.

He would've been so happy.

On a Thursday, two hours after she was born, Peter got to hold his little sister.

It was the first time since Morgan was born that Peter had seen the baby, and an ache in his chest that he hadn't paid much attention to before eased up when he saw the dark eyes.

The girl was named Morgan.

Pepper had told Peter, one night when they both woke up crying, about Tony's dream.

'I dreamed we had another kid. And we named him after your eccentric uncle…'

Morgan was five weeks old when she smiled for the first time.

Peter crouched down next to the smiling baby on the floor. “Show off,” he whispered, feeling lighter than he had in months.

Morgan just smiled and drooled in response, but Peter wasn't expecting much else.

Morgan hated being changed. 

She also hated wearing clothes, except for one very soft onesie that had 'daddy's girl' on the front.

Peter and Pepper had cried, and the outfit was worn almost every day.

It was getting to where holding Morgan was the best part of his day.

This was a good thing for obvious reasons, and apparently something about it was cute (probably Peter's face when Morgan kicked him in the face) because Pepper snapped a picture, laughing silently.

Happy and Rhodey met the baby at the same time.

Happy looked visibly uncomfortable, while Rhodey was positively beaming.

His eyes were also wet, but no one mentioned that.

"I'm the cool uncle for you two." He stated. "And none of you forget it."

He took Peter aside that night, hugging him. "Tony would be proud of you."

Then he went to hold the baby again, cooing as she stared up at him with a big smile.

“What's with the face, Happy? You look like you've never seen a baby before,” Peter said softly, grinning when Morgan squealed, and Happy winced.

“Not one that small,” Happy said, eyeing the tiny person apprehensively. "Or that loud."

“Have you ever actually been around a baby other than me?"

Happy's expression turned into something resembling constipation. “No.”

“C'mon, Hap. At least say hi?" Pepper said softly.

Happy squinted down at Morgan. “Hi, kid,” he said gruffly.

The little girl didn't seem to react at all, shoving her fingers in her mouth, and blowing bubbles.

"That was Uncle Happy, kiddo,” Peter said, whispering the word “uncle” so he didn't scare Happy away. “He's not a baby person. Or a people person. I'm not even sure he's a person. He may be an alien.” 

Morgan showed no indication that she was remotely impressed.

“Tony would love you,” Peter murmured. "He would be so, so proud of you, kiddo."

(He didn't see Pepper behind him, smiling wetly.)

On her first birthday, Peter got her a plastic iron man helmet, and took pictures of her smushing the tiny cake with her fingers.

He took pictures of Rhodey smiling at the one year old.

He took pictures of Pepper kissing Morgan gently on the head.

He took pictures of Morgan wearing the helmet lopsidedly, and then with a Spiderman mask, of course.

Pepper laughed so hard she cried, at that one.

On her second birthday, he woke up to tiny feet pattering around his bed, and when he leaned over the edge, he was greeted with the wide brown eyes of Morgan, who was staring at him with the fingers of one hand in her mouth. 

"P'ter?" 

He smiled softly, lifting the toddler up onto his stomach as he flopped back down on the pillow. "Hey little miss. You're up early. Where's mama?"

"Wan'ed my Peter."

"Wanted your Peter, huh?" He smiled, ignoring the burning in his eyes. "Okay. Well, you've got your Peter, and he's awake now."

"Wanna hugs." Her big brown eyes stared pleadingly into his.

"You have the worst case of bambi eyes I have ever seen, Morguna."

He chuckled when she pouted, sticking out her lower lip. "All right, all right. Hugs it is."

She curled up against him under the comforter, resting her head on his chest, staring at him sleepily. "Can you tell me a 'tory?"

"A story about what?"

"'Bout daddy."

Peter hesitated before plunging in. "Did you know that our daddy was a superhero?"

The toddler shook her head, tucking her cold nose against his neck. "Was he a big sup'hero?"

"Oh yeah. The biggest superhero in the world. So anyways, one day he decided that your mama needed a giant stuffed rabbit for Christmas. It was the biggest rabbit- even bigger than him. And mom found it on the porch, and-"

Pepper found them both asleep when she came in minutes later, Peter curled protectively around his little sister, with Morgan sucking on her thumb, the other hand curled loosely into his shirt, fast asleep.

She snapped a picture, and went to make breakfast.

On Morgan's third birthday, Peter took her out on the lake in the paddle boat, then swimming, the inside for a nap, then to the kitchen for cake.

Rhodey didn't make it for this one, but sent her a small Iron Man night light.

It was delivered by an old man who had asked for the "Stanks? Is this the place?"

Peter had laughed, shaking his head. "Yep. You've got the right place."

He told Rhodey about it later, and the older man had laughed until he cried.

Her fourth birthday, Pepper was sick, and so Morgan spent the day with Peter, watching movies and eating jello, which in hindsight, was probably a bad idea.

She didn't get hyper though.

They curled up on the porch, watching the stars twinkle.

"Twinkle twinkle little stars," Morgan whispered. "Petey?"

He kissed the tip of her head. "Yeah?"

"Is daddy in the stars?"

He swallowed, a lump rising in his throat, and pulled her closer, tucking the blanket around them more firmly. "Yeah. Maybe."

"Does he hear me singing for him?"

The childish innocence in her voice brought tears to his eyes. "Yeah. I think he does."

"Does he like it? Does he like me?"

"Oh Morguna. Of course he does. I think that wherever he is, he's listening, and smiling at you."

She snuggled closer to him, closing her eyes. "Can you sing to me?"

"Course, little miss. What song?"

"A song daddy sang."

"Okay." Peter cleared his throat, leaning his head back.

"Goodnight my angel, time to close your eyes."

"And save these questions for another day."

"I think I know what you've been asking me."

"I think you know what I've been trying to say."

I promised I would never leave you."

"Then you should always know."

"Wherever you may go, no matter where you are."

He took a deep breath. "I never will be far away."

He pressed a kiss to her temple. "Time for bed."

She didn't reply, and he smiled as he saw her closed eyes, lashes resting against the soft skin of her cheeks. "Mission completed."

On her fifth birthday, Morgan was up before either of them, and Peter only woke up when the smoke alarm went off.

He found Morgan in the kitchen, crying over burned pancake mix.

He lifted her onto the counter, lifting her chin. "What's wrong, Morguna?"

Her chin trembled. "I wanted to make you pancakes. Cause you always make me pancakes for breakfasts, and I wanted to make you happy."

He kissed the top of her head, tugging her into his arms. "It's okay, little miss. Don't cry. You made me happy just by being my sister. You made me happy by wanting to make me happy. Okay? So I'm pretty happy right now. How about we make them together?"

Morgan's face lit up, all traces of tears disappearing, and threw her arms around his neck. "I love you Petey!"

He laughed softly. "I know, little miss. I love you too."

"Morgan?"

Peter tapped on the small fort that housed his little sister.

"Morguna?"

No answer.

"Little miss?"

Silence.

"Lunch time."

A small figure popped out of the house, helmet and gloves on, and fake repulsors pointed towards his face.

"Define 'lunch' or be disintegwated."

Peter shook his head, laughing softly. "You, little miss, are not supposed to be wearing that. That was dad's present for mom, okay?" 

He lifted the blue and purple helmet off of Morgan's head, brushing back her hair. "There we go. Thinking about lunch? Maybe a handful of crickets? Bed of lettuce? Yeah… that's what you want."

He smirked as she mumbled a quiet 'no'.

"How did you get this?"

She dug the toe of her foot into the ground. "Garage."

"Really. Were you looking for it?"

"No…" she mumbled. "I jus' found it there."

"Mm. You like going in the garage, huh?" He stood up, lifting her into the air. "So did dad."

He started walking toward the house. "You're not in trouble. It's fine."

He bounded up the steps, stopping when he heard a car door shut.

Heart dropping, he turned to see Steve and Natasha, with one unfamiliar face.

Natasha nodded briefly, and he returned it, stifling a sigh.

Then stepped inside.

To begin with, he disagreed profusely with what they had to say.

"Look, Cap. I'm not a genius, or a science whiz, or anything. I'm just me. Talk to Bruce Banner or something. I can't do this."

"Peter," Natasha said gently. "Tony often said that you were just as smart, if not smarter than he was."

"I'm sorry, Cap. Nat. I'm not risking anything else. I already lost my dad. You've got nothing concrete to go on. I can't risk that. I'm keeping his wife and daughter, my mom and little sister, safe. Okay?"

He stopped as Morgan bounded out of the house, climbing into his lap. "Mommy told me to come and save you."

"Good job Morguna. I'm saved."

He sighed heavily. "I wish you had come here for any other reason, Cap. Really, I do."

"This is a second chance, Peter," he said firmly.

Peter shook his head. "This is my second chance, Captain." He gestured to Morgan, and the house behind him. "Sorry. You can stay for lunch if you don't talk shop."

Later that night, Natasha's words came back to him.

"As smart as him, if not smarter."

The hologram table whirred as he tested ideas, theories, and finally stumbled onto the answer.

"Wow…" he mumbled. "Huh. That- wow..."

"Are you bringing my daddy back?"

Peter jerked around as the voice reached his ears, sighing in relief as he saw his little sister. "You, little miss, are not supposed to be up."

"What are you doing?"

He shook his head. "I've just got some important stuff on my mind."

Her eyes lit up. "Is it juice pops?"

The girl squeaked as he lifted her, tossing her into the air. "Sure is. That, little miss, is extortion. C'mon. Off to bed with you."

Tucking her into bed, he pulled the popsicle stick from her fingers, and kissed her forehead. "Goodnight little miss. Love you a ton."

She peeked at him from between her fingers. "I love you three thousand."

Peter stilled, smiling down at her. "Three thousand? Wow. That's a lot."

He kissed her forehead again, turning off the light, and standing up.

"Go to bed," he said behind him. "Or we'll sell all your toys."

He heard her giggle behind him as he shut the door.

"You know," he smiled at Pepper as he rounded the couch. "It's not a competition or anything, but she loves me three thousand. Sorry mom. You're still in the low six to nine hundred range."

She marked her book, smiling up at him. "Whatever you say, kiddo. You okay? You look tired."

He sank down on the cushion beside her, head in her lap. "I figured it out."

At her questioning look, he continued. "Time travel. I don't know what to do. Half of me wants to throw the research in a box, and toss it into the lake. But the other half-" He wiped his eyes heavily. "I don't know what to do. If it works… well, great. Wonderful. But if it doesn't- I don't think I could do that. I can't fail him."

She pressed a kiss to his forehead, running her hand through his hair. "Well, I don't think he would care. He loved you, kiddo. And I think he would be proud, no matter what you do."

He turned on his side, facing the fire. "Yeah. Might be weird though."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. He has a five year old daughter and I'm twenty one now."

"Don't worry about it. He knew I was pregnant, so I think he'll be okay. Get some sleep, kiddo. Big day tomorrow."

When Peter pulled into the compound parking space, he saw Steve waiting.

He pulled in, rolling down the window. "Why the long face?"

Steve rolled his eyes, waiting for Peter to step out.

"Let me guess," Peter leaned against the car door. "He turned into a baby."

He grinned when Steve looked at the ground. "Among other things, yes. What are you doing here?"

Peter shut the door. "It's the EPR paradox. Instead of pushing Lang through time, you might've wound up pushing time through Lang. It's tricky. Dangerous. Somebody coulda cautioned you against it."

His smirk grew when Steve didn't look up, muttering something quietly. "What was that?"

"You did," he said louder. 

"Oh, did I?" Peter shrugged. "At least someone has common sense around here. Regardless," he held out a hand. "I fixed it. Fully functioning time/space GPS."

Steve studied the device.

"Look, Steve," Peter said quietly. "We've got a shot at getting these stones, but I've gotta tell you my priorities. Bring back what we lost, I hope, yes. And maybe not," he shrugged again. "Die trying, would be nice."

The former captain nodded. "Sounds like a deal."

Peter made his way to the trunk, opening it, lifting something, and dusting it off, pushing away the toys, and handed it to Steve.

The familiar starred shield stared up at him.

"Peter, I don't- I don't know."

"Why?" Peter stepped closer, eyes burning. "Past is in the past, Rogers. I know we don't see eye to eye. Not since the accords. Not since my dad came home from Siberia. But we need Captain America."

He passed for a minute, and then continued, tone light. "Besides. I had to get it out of the garage before Morgan could take it sledding."

"Thank you."

"Just-" Peter clapped his hand onto Steve's shoulder. "Keep it quiet? I didn't bring one for the whole team. It… is the whole team, right?"

"We are working on that right now," Steve said firmly.

Peter made his way inside, passing Thor, who looked extremely different.

And then he saw the talking raccoon again. "Hey Ratchet."

"Rocket," he snarled.

"Okay, okay. Take it easy. Ratchet."

"Watch it pal. You're not the only genius on earth."

"Only one who could figure out time travel."

His eyes rested on the red and white suit Clint was wearing.

"Oh gosh. Time travel suits? Not bad, except eek. No fashion… no pizzazz, no wonder you guys need help. Those suits are a fashion designers nightmare. Horrible. Fashion faux pas, is what it is."

"Wait a second, let me ask you something."

Peter folded his arms, waiting for Rhodey to continue.

"If we can do this, this being go back in time, why don't we just- find baby Thanos, you know? And-"

He mimed choking.

"First off, that's horrible." Bruce said quietly.

"It's Thanos," Rhodey insisted. 

"And secondly, time doesn't work that way. Changing the past doesn't change the future."

"Look," Scott broke in. "We go back, we get the stones before Thanos gets them, Thanos doesn't have the stones. Problem solved. Bingo."

"That's not how it works."

"That's what I heard," he said firmly.

After they went back, it was all kind of a blur.

Is this going to work? thoughts, mixed with did I feed Morgan breakfast, jumping around.

They ran into problems, Peter met his granddad, which was kind of weird.

They got the stones, and came back to find Natasha missing, and Clint red eyed and silent.

Things went to heck after Bruce snapped.

Clint's phone rang. and from the relief that broke over his face, the second snap had worked.

Then Peter's phone vibrated. 

He pulled it out with shaking fingers, but before he could see the number on the screen, the compound blew up.

He came to with Rhodey's frantic voice in his ear.

"Peter? Peter? Tony and Pepper will kill me if you don't answer! Peter talk to me!"

"Hey uncle Rhodey," he coughed. "I'm- I'm okay."

"Oh thank the- Rocket! Get out of there! We need help! We're in the lower levels, and its flooding!"

"I'm too far! Someone get to Rhodey!"

"You lose this again," Peter said loudly. "I'm keeping it."

The shield landed right beside Steve, who grunted in appreciation.

This guy has a bigger ego than dad used to have. Peter glared at Thanos as he rambled on. Something about unable to accept what can be.

"Yup. We're all kinds of stubborn."

The battle was huge.

Thanos' army was more aliens than he thought possible to exist.

The whole battle shabang was worse than before.

This time they were being wiped into the ground.

Cap could lift the hammer, which, big whoopie, but they were dead.

And then the golden circles- portals- had appeared everywhere, and suddenly they weren't alone anymore.

The Wakandans.

Steve's one armed friend, along with the Falcon.

Sorcerers from the Sanctums.

Armies from everywhere.

The air was filled with noise, a cacophony of voices.

Then blue/purple armor slammed down several feet from Peter, and he exhaled heavily. "Mom?"

Her faceplate flipped up. "Hey sweetie. Just so you know, if you get hurt, you're grounded."

He nodded briefly. "Be careful."

Then Dr Strange, being all mysterious with that Cape and those cheekbones- and the guardians, and then- 

His dad.

Peter drew a deep breath, and stood taller.

"Avengers! Assemble."

"Dad! Dad- holy crap you're- you're here, you're actually here-"

Then he was hugging his dad, choking back sobs because he's here, and he's okay, and you can stop being the grownup now.

"Hey, hey-" he doesn't have to look at his dad's face to know that now they're both crying. "Hey- shh. It's okay now. It's okay."

He doesn't move for several seconds, and when he does finally pull back, his dad's eyes widen. "Holy crap. He wasn't joking."

"What?" Peter glanced back to where Pepper was. "Who? Joking about what?"

"Dr Strange. He said- he said it'd been five years, but- I didn't-" his hand came up to cradle Peter's cheek. "Oh baby. You look so tired."

"I want to go home," Peter admitted softly. "I wanna go home."

"We will, baby. We will. Stay close, okay?"

Carol Danvers welded the gauntlet.

She got off with some nasty burns, but got away with her life.

The Compound was ruined.

Completely.

Like annihilated, ruined.

They gathered in a giant hospital ward, where a woman named Christine Palmer took care of their wounds.

The three Starks had escaped with superficial wounds, except for Peter, who had broken his wrist.

They hadn't let go of each other yet.

Nothing had been said, except tearful greetings and tearful hugs.

Peter was curled into his dad's side, with Pepper on the other.

His hand was bandaged, and there were six small stitches on the side of his face which were already starting to heal.

His dad's arm was bandaged, along with his mom's thigh.

"Pete." A finger prodded his side. "Peter. Peteypie."

He rolled over, glaring goodnaturedly at the figure above him. "Daaaad. I'm trying to sleep."

"Aren't you so glad we got the grumpy teenager, dear?"

"Mom?"

They looked over to see her fast asleep, head against his shoulder, feet tucked under his leg.

"You should sleep too, Pete."

Peter shook his head resolutely. "Don't wanna sleep."

"Peter, Bud, you're falling asleep where you sit."

"I don't want you to leave again," he admitted softly. "And I don't want to sleep in case I'm already asleep, and this is a dream, and I'm going to wake up soon."

His dad's arms pulled him into his spot against Tony's chest, where he had always fallen asleep. Gentle fingers brushed through his hair, and rubbed soft circles against his shoulder. "I'm not going anywhere, baby. Get some rest. We'll be here a while."

No matter how hard he tried, sleep pulled at his mind until he couldn't resist any longer.

"He's had a hard time of it."

"I know. I can't believe- has it really been five years? He looks so much older now. And so tired."

"Yeah. And five years without you took its toll. On all three of them."

"Three?"

"Holy- you don't know-?"

"Know what? Rhodey? Know. What."

"That he's an idiot," Peter mumbled.

The conversation ceased instantly,  and a light hand rested on his head. "Hey kiddo. Feel better?"

He blinked groggily at his dad, making no move to reply.

"Mind explaining what you meant by that, platypus?"

"Me 'n mom wanted to tell you." Peter broke in.

Tony's eyes met his, worry clear in the expression. "Pepper said she was-" his eyes widened in shock. "Wait- she was?"

Peter pushed himself up, squeezing his eyes shut briefly. "Yeah. Morgan. Real sweetheart. Your brains. Mom's charm. And efficiency. Real terror too."

Just then Pepper appeared, dressed in clean clothes, with her hair fixed in a neat bun. "There's my boys. Is everything okay?"

Peter winced. "Rhodey just blurted out our little addition."

Her mouth formed an O. "She looks like you," she said softly, curling up beside her husband again. "Spends half her time in the garage with Friday watching over her."

"She found Mom's anniversary present, by the way." Peter grinned up at his dad. "I went outside to get her, and she told me to define lunch or be disintegrated."

The three laughed, basking in being together again.

"So this is the house?"

Peter shoved the nanotech spider into his back pocket, grinning at his dad. "Yup. Happy's here, watching Morgan. They'll both be happy to see you."

His dad faltered, suddenly looking hesitant. "She- she does know about me, right?"

"Oh yeah," Peter said easily, pretending not to notice the relief that spread across his face. "Me and mom told her everything. That's all she asks for these days. 'Stories about dad'. It's quite cute, if you ask me."

"Oh. Does she- does she know what happened?"

Peter shrugged stiffly. "It's kinda hard to explain to a kid that their dad, who they had never met, was dead, so not really. It was hard enough for me, and I was there. She knows more than we told her, though. She's pretty bad about eavesdropping, so she knew… she asked me sometimes if you were in the stars, and if you heard her singing to you."

Pepper turned around. "Pick up the pace! Morgan will be waiting. And Happy doesn't know that everyone's back!"

The two shared a glance, and Peter laughed softly. "Beat you to the house."

He, of course, did, and waited on the steps, smirking at his dad. "You're getting slow in your old age."

"Shut up, squirt."

Pepper opened the door with her key, stepping in with a quick glance behind her to hold up a finger to her lips. "They're asleep."

The teen crept in, smiling softly at the picture it made.

The tiny dark haired girl, hugging an IronMan plushie, curled up in the lap of Happy Hogan, who still looked intimidating even when asleep.

He shook Happy, smirking when his eyes shot open. "Peter? I saw the news- everyone's back! Then the battle-" he saw the stitches, and cast, and his eyebrows pulled together, voice lowering. "Are you okay?"

"Better than okay, Hap," Peter said softly. "Right dad?"

His dad stepped forward, smiling softly at his friend. "Right. Hey Hap. Thanks for taking care of Pep, and my kids. My family."

If Peter didn't know better, he could've sworn Happy's eyes were getting wet.

"Course. That's- that's my job."

Tony smiled widely, moving forward to hug the man. "And you go above and beyond."

Peter crouched beside the couch, smiling softly at the sleeping figure of his little sister. "Morgan," he said softly. "Morguna. Little miss. Hey, wake up. Someone's here to see you."

She stirred, mumbling incoherently. "Mmm… P'tey?"

He kissed her cheek. "Yup. Me and Mom are back. And we have someone who wants to meet you."

Her eyes widened slightly before drooping shut again. "'M tired."

"I know, Morguna. But you need to wake up." Then he said the magic words. "Dad's home."

She perked up, scrubbing at her eyes, and blinking rapidly. "Dad?"

Then Tony was crouching beside them, eyes soft, and smile warm. "Hey baby."

The five year old threw herself forward, small arms wrapping around his neck. "Daddy!"

Their dad jolted back slightly, smiling, and kissed the top of her head. "Yeah. I'm here."

She pushed herself away, staring at him with an intense expression. "Did you hear me singing for you when you were in the stars? Cause Petey said you did."

Peter's eyes met his over the little girl's head, and he gave a tiny nod. "Sure did, bambina. It was very pretty. Almost as pretty-" he pretended to think for several seconds. "As... uncle Rhodey's."

A stifled snort broke the silence, and they turned to see Peter laughing silently into his hand.

Tony raised his eyebrow. "Wanna share with the class, Pete?"

The teen- well, not teen anymore, Tony realized with a start- shook his head briefly. "It isn't hard to be better than him at singing."

"Petey!" Morgan stared at him as if scandalized. "Mind your manners. Gracious!"

The adults doubled over, laughing so hard they could barely  breathe, while Peter struggled to maintain a sorrowful expression. "You're right, little miss. That was horrifically unkind."

She nodded firmly. "Good. Now 'pologize to uncle Happy and mommy and daddy for bein' rude."

He faked a bow. "My apologies."

Morgan yawned. "Now can I go back to sleep?"

Peter lifted her onto his lap, wrapping his arms around her. "How about we watch a movie? Then you can fall asleep if you want."

The five year old nodded sleepily. "'Kay."

While Pepper got the movie playing, Tony settled down beside his kids, wrapping an arm around Peter, and pulling him to lean into his dad's embrace. "I know this has been- is difficult for you, bud. But you don't have to do it alone anymore," he whispered. "More so than I've ever been, I'm proud of you, kiddo."

Peter tilted his head upward, eyes slightly wet, but shining. "Rhodey said you'd say that."

His dad smirked. "Don't tell him this, but for once he was right." He pressed a kiss to Peter's hair, and turned back to the screen.

Pepper curled up against his other side, while Happy watched the proceedings like a hawk, firm in his role of friend, uncle, and protector.

And as they watched the Lion King, Peter looked around at his small family and smiled.

His dad was back, the world was saved, the villain defeated, and there would be cheeseburgers, most certainly, so everything was okay.

He could rest.

Mwahahahahaha I just had to. *wipes away a tear* classic.

"No it's not, I hate it"

I'm hopeless.

Heh.

I'm really proud of it, so I hope you guys liked it.