"I think this is the first time I haven't felt comfortable in black." I whisper and tug at the hem of the long sleeves. It's supposed to be cool again today, but I know I'm mostly going to need something to fiddle with to keep my mind distracted. "Who even decided to wear black to funerals? Why—why couldn't it be something different like—like orange or something. Nobody really wears orange; so it's not like people's whole wardrobe are forever tainted by the memory of sitting there while they mourn and hear people talk about their loved one."

"I don't know." Peter whispers as his fingers slip through mine. "It's okay to be nervous or hurt. You're allowed to be upset—to feel."

"Even if so much of it is still anger?"

"You can't dictate what you feel, Lia. All you can do is experience it." I lean my head against his shoulder all ready exhausted despite the day having barely begun. "You gonna be okay?"

I have to think about it for a minute. Okay is a foreign idea to me now. It's hard to imagine any bit of my life ever finding the grey area of okay.

Then I think about everything Peter's done for me lately. He's been everything. If he weren't around, I doubt I'd be getting out of bed, much less eating, sleeping, and being a person. "I think so. Not soon, but eventually."

"No one said it had to be right away. You just gotta make it through one day at a time. Okay?" He whispers and presses a feather-light kiss to my temple. "So we just gotta make it through today."

"Easier said than done." I mumble against his chest. "I know he left this message for us, but I—I don't think I can sit there and listen to it. I don't have any strength left in me, Pete. All I've got left is pain, anger, and frustration."

"That's not true. I see strength in you every day; I always have." His fingers lift my chin so until I'm looking at him. "I know it's hard, but you can do it. It's what your Dad wanted, and if it gets hard, I'll be right there next to you. Okay?"

"Okay." I nod and squeeze his hand tightly. "I know I haven't said this much lately, but I love you so much. I don't know what I'd be doing without you."

"I love you too, and I hope you never have to find out." He offers me a small smile, and we stay in silence for a long moment. "You ready?"

"As I can be all things considered." I reply and desperately hold onto his hand as we head downstairs. The rest of the family is scattered through the downstairs. Mum and Morgan are tucked together on the couch. Happy is staring out the window. Rhodey sits like a statue.

It's quiet. The kind that makes your head hurt. It echoes in your bones until they ache. All you want to do is scream to break it and its hold. Nevertheless, I stay quiet and find my seat on the couch next to Morgan with Peter pressed so close like he knows if I he doesn't, I'll shatter and fade into dust once again.

I drift out of my own body, swinging on a pendulum that allows me only a second of solidity and clarity. By the time I come back to myself, everyone's settled in and Dad's old helmet is on the coffee table. "I can't do this." I whisper and move to rush out, but I can't.

His voice stops me.

"Everybody wants a happy ending, Right? But it doesn't always roll that way. Maybe this time..." He says, and my feet and eyes are glued to the floor. It hurts to hear him, to see him—even if it's just a projection. I force myself to turn back and watch. All the while reminding myself, this is what he wanted. The least I can do is honor that.

I slowly step back towards the couch. Peter's hand reaches out for mine to guide me back to my seat and wraps around my waist. I grip his free hand like a vice and try to breathe as Dad continues, "I'm hoping if you play this back... it's in celebration. I hope families are reunited, I hope we get it back and something like a normal version of the planet has been restored. If there ever was such a thing. Gosh, what a world. Universe, now... If you told me ten years ago that we weren't alone, let alone, you know, to this extent, I mean, I-I wouldn't have been surprised, but come on, who knew? The epic forces of dark and light that have come into play. And, for better or worse, that's the reality Morgan's gonna have to find a way to grow up in, and what Lia is still gonna have to navigate.

"So I thought I probably better record a little greeting, in the case of an untimely death. On my part. Not that death at any time isn't untimely." He sighs, his face slightly tightening. It makes me hurt even more, and for once, I wish I was wrong. I wish he hadn't made this message and just let me think he made the choice in the moment. "This time travel thing that we're gonna try to pull off tomorrow, it's—it's got me scratching my head about the survivability of it all. Then again, that's the hero gig, right? Part of the journey is the end." Then, he stops. "What am I even tripping for? Everything's gonna work out exactly the way it's supposed to." He shakes his head. "But, just in case, um—

"Pepper, I'm fairly certain you know this all ready, but I need to say it again. I love you. I know I haven't always been the best, but you—you made me better. You helped me become a better man, a better husband, and a better father. I don't even want to think about where I'd be, if I never had you. You have always been so open, honest, and kept me in line. It's one of the many reasons I fell in love with you. Not to mention, you've been such a wonderful mother to Lia. You helped me raise and take care of her. You were always helping me when I was so lost and had no idea what I was doing. Of course, I had Happy and Rhodey too, but both of them were as clueless as I was—no matter what they say." He pauses for a moment as he laughs and shakes his head. "Still, you helped me more than anyone. I know I wasn't easy to handle or deal with all the time, but you did. How, I have no idea. Even more so you've always been so sure of yourself, an aspect you've helped pass on to both of our daughters. I love you, Pep. I know I've said it all ready, but I'll say it so many more times. Because I do. I love you. I love you. I love you. If I'm really gone, promise me you'll still go out and live. Be happy, Pep. Please, do it for me. I mean, of course it's okay for you to mourn me. Just do it for maybe an hour and carry on. All I want is for you to be happy. So yeah, remember me for like an hour, and then you're good.

"Okay, now for you, Morgan. Little Maguna. I wish I could be there with you, but I can't. It won't be easy for you, if I'm not there, but it's going to be okay. You will always have your Mom, Happy, and your sister. They'll always be there for you, and no matter what, you can count on them—I know they will. I need you to know that even if I'm gone, I still love you, I'll always love you, and I'll never really be gone. You, your mom, and your sister will always have me right here." He points to his heart, and I crack a smile. It's what he used to tell me whenever we had to leave one another, and what I passed on to Morgan. "You're always going to be my little girl, Maguna, and so will your sister. Remember that for me? Remember me—well, just the good moments. You have my permission to forget all the times I burned breakfast. Remember that you are loved more than you know. Remember it will be okay. I'm hoping if I'm gone, it's with leaving a better world. Even if it sucks sometimes, it will be okay in the end. I want you to live in it as best as you can. I love you three thousand, Maguna, always will.

"Last, but never, ever least—Lia. I'm hoping you're back to hear this. If you are, and I'm gone," He sighs and goes quiet for a minute, "then I know you're hurting more than you'll admit. You were always like that. I remember whenever you got hurt, you'd put on this brave face until you thought no one was looking and then break down. I'm sorry I had to leave you, but I'm hoping in doing so, I'm giving you a better life—a better world to live in. You deserve the best things life can offer after everything you've gone through. I know you're getting older, but you'll always be my little bug—the one thing I never expected that turned out to be one of the best things in my life. You made me better than I thought I could be, and you were so much more than I deserved. I'm hoping that maybe I can give you what you deserve, even if that means—sadly—I may have to leave you. Just, please, know that it is not your fault. This one is on me or Thanos. Either one.

"I know this is going to feel impossible for you, but you can get through this. Nothing's ever been able to keep you down for long. You're incredibly strong, brave, headstrong, smart, and kind. I want you to keep going. Keep on living, pushing limits, doing what you love, and never give up on who you are. I've always told you that you can do anything you've put your mind to, and hopefully if this new world is better, you can keep it going until it's something truly amazing. You've got all the support you need. Speaking of, if you're hearing this, then I hope Peter is too, he should be. Stick with him. I'm fairly certain you know this, but he's a great kid. I've seen how happy he makes you, and how happy you make him. Not to mention, you're the two of the smartest kids I've ever know, aside from Harley, who you should introduce to Peter. Well, if it won't cause some universal implosion. Just be sure to keep him in line, okay? The kid's really selfless, to the point that you might have to stop him when he gets a little to reckless with 'saving the world' an all. Actually, you'll both have to keep each other in line.

"And Pete—because I know you'd be seeing this too, keep being who you are. The world is still gonna need heroes, and their friendly neighborhood Spiderman is no exception. You can't lose who you are. So keep being kind and brave. Those are some of the best parts of you, and I'm proud of the man you've become. Just, don't break my daughter's heart, okay?

"Anyway, I guess my point is, stay with it, Lia. I know you how much you love Peter and how happy he's made you. Don't give up on that, no matter how hard it gets. Because it will, life and love are both hard, but they're worth it. So promise me you won't give up. Not that I think either of you will, but for my own peace of mind, you know?" He sighs, then stands from his projected chair, seemingly walking and talking directly to me. "I love you, bug, always have and always will. Don't ever forget that." I wipe away the tears threatening to spill from my eyes as he seems to turn right to Morgan, "And you, Maguna, I love you three thousand. I love you all three thousand."

The room stays silent as the projection freezes in place before disappearing all together. I swear, carving a whole in my chest with a spoon would be less painful than this. It's one of those moments when everything hurts to much and so vividly that you just go numb until you can't feel anything at all anymore.

All I can do is stare at the dead space where the image of Dad was just seconds ago.

Everyone sounds distant as they start to gather themselves to meet the others outside. Peter's hand grips onto mine, trying and failing to bring me back. "Lia, we—we have to go."

I nod and absent-mindedly follow him out. Nearly everyone is here. People who fought alongside us at the final fight, friends like Harley, and of course, the family. I bring myself a little closer back to the real world just as people start to offer me those sad looks. Each one is probably thinking the same thing, how I'm barely holding up without Dad.

"Can we—can we sit down for a minute while the others arrive?" I ask as the exhaustion settles back in. "I just—I need a minute."

"Yeah." Peter watches me carefully as I settle down on one of the porch chairs with my knees tucked up against my chest. I'm suddenly thankful I decided to wear shorts beneath this dress. "How—how you holding up?"

"Still processing." I look out towards the lake and see a familiar face approaching. It makes me crack a microscopic smile to see my old friend, even if he is taller and older now. "Hey, old man. Haven't by any chance seen my friend around?"

"It's good to see you too, Lia." Harley laughs and shakes his head as he leans against the porch railing. "I just wish it was under better circumstances."

"Don't we all." I mumble and pick at a loose thread on my dress.

Luckily, as always, Harley is the ultimate champion in making things a little bit lighter. "So, I'm assuming this is the famous Peter Parker?"

"And you're Harley?" Peter asks as he extends his free hand. "Lia told me a lot about you."

"Same goes for you. I was glad to hear you two finally got together."

"What about you and—um—Hannah, right?" Harley nods and holds up a hand to show off the ring on his finger. "Well, who would have guessed that Harley Keener would get married? You're only what—twenty-two now?"

"Yeah, but after everything, we realized things can happen in an instant. So we decided to just go for it."

"Time isn't really anyone's friend, huh?" I muse, and I can practically feel the two boys exchanging a look. It's almost entirely silent except for the faint chatter of nature and the people gathered.

A sparkling circle of orange appears, and my blood starts to burn. I push myself to my feet and march to where the last two guests, which I didn't know were coming, appear. Strange and Wong stand in front of me with worried expressions. "Why are you here?" I question the former. "I thought I made my feelings very clear last time we saw each other. What made you think it was appropriate for you to come here—today of all days?"

"Because I invited him." Mum says as she wraps an arm around my shoulder. Her voice drops to a whisper as she tries to calm me down. "Nothing that happened was Stephen's fault. He fought alongside you and your Dad, and without him, I might have lost you too."

"Fine, I'll let you stay, but only because it's what my Dad would have done." I turn on my heel and find Peter again. His eyes are all sorrowful, but there's a soft smile on his face. He doesn't say anything as his hand slips in mine.

Mum grabs the bouquet she had made for the memorial service. It's all his favorite flowers, which may seem strange to some, but even Iron Man had a softer side. My chest tightens when I look at it. Because right in the center is the original arc reactor that Dad put in his chest—the one he made in that cave with Yinsen less than three months before I got to meet him. It's the one Mum had set and engraved with the words "Proof Tony Stark has a heart."

He always used to tell me that experience changed his whole life. I instinctively reach up for the necklace he gave me with the small scrap of the first suit that he melded with the shrapnel from his chest. Dad may not have always been the man I knew, but he did everything he could to improve himself and the world around him.

Mum looks at me and wordlessly asks me to help her. There are tears in her eyes as I step forward, gingerly holding on to half the arrangement as we lower it into the water. It takes all my strength to actually let go, and my whole world seems to shatter as it drifts away with another piece of my Dad with it.

I can't stand back up. My knees are tethered to the dock. I can barely register anything beneath the endless veil of tears. All I can think about is everyone who's gone.

Vision, who—while he lacked boundaries—always had some philosophical remark, who helped me check my coding, and taught me how to use the wider range of my powers.

Natasha, who was like a big sister to me, who took the time to train me, and always helped me through my problems, no matter how small.

Worst of all, Dad, the man who literally saved my life, who reminded me who I was when I forgot, the one that watched literally anything with me because he knew it'd make me smile. He was the one that used taught me what it really meant to be a hero and to put others above yourself at every turn. I know he was always terrified of being a Dad because of how my grandpa was to him, and I'd give anything to make sure he knew that he was the best Dad I could have ever hoped for—especially given everything we both went through.

He wasn't perfect, but he was everything I had.

A hand settles on my shoulder, dispelling my hazy thoughts. I brush them off and storm off to the cluster of trees that are out of view from the cabin and others. My hands shakes as the shadows surround them before I swing. It strips the bark off a tree, and I can't bring myself to stop. My arms keep swinging, knuckles repeatedly making contact with the tree.

The skin splits and bleeds. Pain radiates up my arms, but I still can't stop.

Not until my arms are pinned down at my side. "Let me go." I scream as my knees buckle. "Please, just let me go."

"Not until you stop hurting yourself like this." Peter mumbles in my ear.

"I need to feel it. I have to."

"You don't."

"Yes, I do." My throat is raw and hoarse as I double over. "It should have been me."

"Please, please, don't say that, Lia." Peter cries, and I can feel his tears hit the back of my neck. "I need you."

"That's not true." I continue through sobs. "Everyone would be fine without me. They'd be better off with him. Mum wouldn't have lost her husband, Morgan would still have her Dad, and you'd learn to be okay without me. I mean, Strange said it was him or me. So why wasn't it me? Why couldn't it have been me?"

"Because, the world still needs you, and you're Dad—this was his choice."

"That doesn't make it any better."

"No, but it means you're Dad cared enough to give you a chance to carry on what he left for you." Peter moves so that we're facing each other as he cradles my broken, bleeding hands. "You mean the world to me, Lia. I know it's hard. I know you think everyone would be better if things were swapped, but it wouldn't. You may think no one needs you, but I do. You're my best friend and the love of my life. If you were gone, I don't know what I'd do."

"But—Morgan's going to grow up without him. She would have been better off if she had him, and I was always a bedtime story. She shouldn't have to wonder what Dad would say to her when she needs advice. She shouldn't wonder about him at all. I don't want her struggling to remember the exact color of his eyes or the sound of his voice. She deserves better than what I had."

"And she has it." I look up at Peter, still crying and lost on how this is better than what I just described, "Because she has you, the big sister that would give anything for her and will make sure she knows all those things and more. So please, never wish that it was you, because I don't want to imagine a world with someone else I love gone."

I nod and try to squeeze his hand in silent appreciation and adoration. "I love you too."

He grins softly. "We really should get you inside to bandage those hands."

"Not yet." I croak. "I need something first."

Peter doesn't question it. Instead, he just nods and wraps his arm around my waist. It's not until I kneel down on the dock and manipulate the shadows that he seems to catch on. The bouquet floats back to the dock, and Peter reaches down to grab the arc reactor before I can.

"I can't lose another part of him." I explain and cradle it against my chest. "Please, don't tell anyone."

"I won't, I promise." He gently takes it and tucks it in his jacket. "Here, now no one will see it."

"Thank you, Pete." I start to cry again. "Sometimes I think you're too good for me, but I wouldn't make it without you."

"That's not gonna happen anytime soon." He presses a lingering, soft kiss to my temple as we head inside. The moment Mum and the others catch sight of my hand, Mum practically shoves me into a chair and calls Bucky to help look over the injuries.

No one says anything about it. They just silently agree to help me and move on. "Looks like you just fractured it. So with your healing, you should be fine in a few days." Bucky says as he starts to wrap my hands. "I suggest next time, try a punching bag. It may break on you, but at least it's replaceable."

"I'll keep that in mind." I mumble and try to memorize the pattern of the wood grain in the table. Peter stays close by, talking to me about anything and everything to help keep my mind occupied.

The phone rings, and the moment she looks at it, she pales. "What's wrong, Mum?"

"It's—um—it's for you." My brows scrunch together in confusion. I've all ready talked to all my friends, and everyone was keeping their distance because of what today is. "I can explain everything after."

I gingerly take the phone with my wrapped hand and press it to my ear. "Hello?"

"Hello, you have a collect call from an inmate at Lincoln Correctional Facility. Do you accept the charges?"

My eyes dart to Pepper, who nods understandingly. "I accept the charges."

The line clicks and crackles for a minute, and I try to figure out who it could be until the voice pours through the speakers, "Hey, sweetheart." Claire, my mum, coos. "I know this is probably a bad time, but we need to talk. There's a lot you need to know that I can't explain over the phone."

Ice water pours in my veins, and I swear I nearly pass out. This is the first time I've thought about her since—well, since before the snap. My head still feels like it's stuck in a storm cloud that won't clear. "What?"

"All I can tell you right now is you were right, and they're looking for you." The phone slips from hand at her words. It clatters against the floor and breaks. My heart sinks down into the ground. The words keep ringing in my head, drowning everything else out.

They're looking for me.