Arguing about the accords was definitely not what Tony wanted to do today. 

He heard a chime from his phone and looked down, and inhaled softly at the message from Sharon Carter. 

She's gone. In her sleep. The funeral is tomorrow at England. Can you please come?

Tony stared blankly at the screen for at least five minutes, until he heard Steve announce, "I have to go." 

Natasha promptly got up and followed Steve, Sam joining. Everyone else retreated to their rooms until it was only him and Rhodey. "What's that about?" Rhodey asked. Tony turned and looked at Rhodey with tears welling in his eyes. 

Rhodey pulled him into a hug. "What's wrong, Tones?" 

Squeezing his eyes shut momentarily to block out the tears, Tony took a shuddering breath and said, "It's-it's Peggy. She-she's gone." 

A gasp left Rhodey's mouth and he rubbed circles into his back. 

"When's the funeral? Are you invited? Do you want me to come-"

He cut himself off as Tony let out a sob. "I-I'll be fine, honeybear." He tried for a smile but failed. Rhodey raised an eyebrow. "I'm coming with you," he decided. "Let's go." 

oOo

As they arrived at the funeral the next day, Tony caught sight of Sharon and walked over, Rhodey trailing behind. "Tony," she breathed as he hugged her. "Glad you could come." 

Tony nodded, feeling numb, and put his sunglasses on. "You'll be sitting at the front - both of you. Aunt Peggy loved you both." Rhodey smiled and hugged Sharon. "Thanks, Sharon." 

Tears were in her eyes that she didn't bother to wipe away - in all of their eyes. 

Just as the two were about to walk in a voice called, "Tony?" 

Tony's steps faltered, and Rhodey gripped his shoulder so he wouldn't fall. The two turned and saw Steve, Natasha and Sam walking up the steps to the church, also wearing black. The trio had a quick conversation with Sharon, before joining Rhodey and Tony. 

"What are you guys doing here?" Natasha asked, eyes narrowed. "It's not like you knew Peggy." 

Swallowing, Tony took his sunglasses off to give Natasha a cold, hard stare. "You didn't know her so why can you talk? And yes, we did know her. She was friends with dad, and Platypus was best friends with me so we all met at once. I knew her longer than you did, Spangles." 

Steve winced and Sam and Natasha both glared at the billionaire who put his sunglasses on. "Now if you can excuse us, we have a funeral to attend." 

And they went inside. 

oOo

"May I call up Tony Stark to give a speech?" Sharon asked, voice shaky. 

Tony stood up, and Rhodey let go of his hand as the genius walked up to the pedestal-thingy that he forgot what it was called. 

He shot Sharon a small smile and spoke into the microphone. 

"I know a bunch of you are probably wondering why I'm here of all people. e may have not been related, but Peggy was like an aunt to me. She took care of me when my parents were busy, or things were tough, and never stopped caring for me, no matter what happened. When I was younger, I had...self-destructive tendencies, and Aunt Pegs always looked after me. Whenever I felt alone, or unwell, she was there. There was never a moment I recalled where she wasn't there. When my parents died, she was by my side straight away, and she made me better, made me feel better, when I so badly wanted to leave the funeral for them, she held me in place, and told me that...that." Tony took a deep breath before continuing. 

"That even if it feels like the whole world is against you, you have to keep trying your best, keep striving high to be the best you. And she told me that every time I wanted to just run away and leave all my problems behind. I tried to live by those words, but it got harder as she first got Alzheimer's. So I told her that. Then, all she seemed to remember was the stupid 15 year old college kid. Life got harder, but, I kept trying to do my best. And I hope I did. So, Aunt Pegs, we will miss you, and I know you'll be in a better place. Thank you." 

He walked down off the stage and sat back on his seat, shaking. "It's okay, Tones," Rhodey murmured. "We'll get through this." 

And they did. 

Cause even if it feels like the whole world is against you, you have to keep trying your best, keep striving high to be the best you.