Chapter Text
It wasn’t until a few hours later that they finally got to hear what the time travelers had to say. Older Peter had insisted that his younger self be immediately driven home by Happy after they landed, citing that he was far too young and didn’t need to be involved.
This caused young Pete to let out a disappointed groan and a half-asleep Morgan to snort out a laugh and roll her eyes. “You’re such a dad.” The girl muttered under her breath, elbowing her brother.
”Not yet.” He’d muttered back. And wasn’t that just curious.
He had also had a few whispered words with the mostly silent Black Panther that had the man returning to Wakanda with a polite nod in the Avengers direction.
By the time all of the team, give or take a few, made it safely to the Avengers Tower Tony could barely wait to hear their story.
He had spent most of the jet ride staring numbly at his daughter, who had promptly fallen asleep leaning heavily on her brother who grumbled but didn’t move the girl from her (frankly uncomfortable looking) position tucked into his side.
Peter himself had spend most of the ride avoiding everyone’s eyes and questions, with the exception of his younger self whose rambles he listened to indulgently, a sad smile on his face.
They had all settled into a conference room on the Avengers floor when Tony cleared his throat impatiently. “So?” He finally prompted. “How exactly did you two get here?”
“Like I said, we were fighting a sorcerer and he hit us with a spell-” he paused sending a look at Morgan “well it was going to hit Moe and I jumped in front of her. But either way, that’s how we’re both here. Now we just have to wait for our wizard to come and get us.”
“Hopefully before Mom finds out.” Morgan adds unhelpfully.
Peter groans, pressing a hand to his face but doesn’t say anything else.
“Did you just say your wizard? You have a wizard.” Wilson spoke up for the first time, sounding incredulous.
“Yes, we do. He’s a prick but he won’t leave us stranded in another universe… I think.” Peter said, smiling awkwardly.
“Even if he would, America would never.” Morgan said soothingly. Peter shot her a look of disbelief that had Morgan amending her words. “Okay, Miss A would never leave me stranded in another universe.”
Peter huffed amusedly, “You’re right about that.”
“Why are you still wearing your suit? I mean yours can do the same thing hers can, right?” Steve asked, indicating Morgan, and staring at Spider-Man with his head tilted in confusion.
Peter frowned and looked down at himself. “Oh. I forgot.” He said, tapping his wrist. Tony watched with wide curious eyes as the suit practically melted off of his body, nanobots gliding down his arm and settling into two bracelets and a fancy looking watch. His eyes widened further as he took in the very expensive suit the man was wearing under the armour. The Armani suit was easily ten thousand dollars and more seeing as it looked professionally tailored.
Morgan whistled. “Who dressed you this morning?” She joked, smiling cheekily. She smoothed down his collar and tie affectionately as they sat.
Peter rolled his eyes, picking at his sleeves. “I was in a meeting.” He said simply, avoiding everyone’s gaze.
Morgan’s mouth dropped open and a laugh burst from her chest. “You left for a fight in the middle of a meeting?” She asked incredulously. “Harls is going to kill you, Pete.”
Peter’s brows furrowed and he crossed his arms defensively. “Well you left in the middle of school. Mom’s going to kill you. Plus if Keener wanted a CEO who doesn’t miss meetings, he shouldn’t have picked me. Look at my track record.”
“Harley didn’t pick you to be CEO bubba, that was definitely Mom.” Morgan giggled. “And Dad.” She finished under her breath.
“Well then maybe Mom will kill both of us.” Peter stated dryly, seeming to ignore the last part of her sentence.
“Harley-“ Tony echoed under his breath and Peter looked amused.
“Yes.” He said simply and Tony nodded.
“Cass is going to be pissed, you know.” Morgan said, snickering at the look of dawning horror on his face.
“Swear jar!” He snapped. “Moving on.” Peter said, ignoring his sister’s gleeful declaration. “Just in case anyone is confused, I’m Spider-Man and this is Morgan, we are from the future. The year 2035 to be specific. We were accidentally sent to the middle of your little fight. Now, we’re gonna help for get over this because trust me, you’ve got bigger problems than the Sokovia Accords or even Hydra.”
“First we should start with the Accords though. That’s still important.” Morgan said, frowning at the assembled group and narrowing her eyes as she stared at them.
For the first time since they entered the room Tony took in the seating arrangement.
Steve was sitting directly across from Tony on one side of the table, Wilson and Barnes bracketing him on either side. Next to Wilson was a little guy Tony vaguely recognized and on Bucky’s other side was Clint, Wanda pressed into his side, eyeing Tony with disdain shining in her green eyes.
Vision was floating a few feet opposite the witch. On either side of Tony sat Rhodey and Natasha, Morgan and Peter choosing to sit at the end of the table, closest to Rhodey and… Lang? Was that the little guys name? Eh.
It was split purposefully, and it made something in Tony’s stomach squirm uncomfortably.
“Well.” Peter says, clearing his throat. “There are a few things you don’t know Morgan.” He said gently. “This fight isn’t really about the accords-“
“What?!” Sam asks incredulously.
“Yes it is.” Steve says firmly, eyebrows furrowed.
“Yeah, now you’ve lost me.” Tony adds, shaking his head.
“It’s about Sergeant Barnes.” Peter says decisively, nodding towards the soldier. “And the lack of trust within this team.” He added, gesturing to the rest of them.
Steve’s mouth dropped open. “It’s- that’s not what-“
“From the future.” Peter interrupted, raising his brows and pointing to himself. He slumped, running a hand through his curly brown hair.
“It’s definitely not about Bucky. What are you talking about, man?” Wilson said, shaking his head and looking at Peter warily.
“Really?” Peter challenged, eyes knowing.
“Really.” Wilson confirmed stubbornly.
“What are the Sokovia Accords?” Peter asks simply, raising a questioning brow.
“They’re- they a way for the government to control the Avengers!” Steve sputtered out.
Peter narrowed his eyes at the blue eyed man, “I was asking Mr. Wilson.”
“Well he’s right, isn’t he?” Clint retorted, shaking his head.
Peter scoffed, shaking his head. “How many of you have actually read the Accords?” At the blank stares from Steve and his little rogues Peter scoffed again. “How about the part where it says that it’s open to amendments?”
Tony nodded when eyes shot to him in question.
“And what part of the UN screams government control?” Peter swiftly continued. “I’m not disagreeing that a lot of changes have to be made to the accords, that were made in our future.” He said, gesturing to himself and Morgan, who was smirking at them as her brother spoke. “Most of the people in this room have signed it, actually. But the UN is an international organization that contain 193 countries. Not all of which care very much about controlling the Avengers. ”
“But Ross-“ Steve started but Peter cut him off with a single look. Hm. Impressive.
“No. I’m the one talking now. Not all of you have the excuse of being trapped in ice for seventy years, you should know better than to go against the United Nations. You were an hour away from becoming national terrorists before we showed up, so, you’re welcome. No, actually, don’t thank me, thank Moe. If it were up to me, I wouldn’t have to deal with all of this bullshit all over again. Anyway , first of all, Thaddeus Ross did not create the accords. They’ve been in the works for much longer than most of you realize.” He said a look at Tony that said ‘how do you put up with this?’ before continuing, “Probably even longer than the Avengers have been an actual team. You do realize you aren’t the only enhanced people in the world, right? Or even heroes? Sokovia just expedited the process, and what happened in Lagos didn’t help, the people aren’t very happy right now. Ross only has his fingers in this because he’s hoping to manipulate it. Which obviously won’t work.”
Peter rolled his eyes when all he got were blank looks at his last statement. “Ross won’t be a problem for you much longer. Which you would all know if you ever listened to the only one with an actual functioning brain in this group.” He said, tilting his head toward Tony.
Tony straightened in his seat, forcing his face to go blank. “What are you talking about?”
“Please.” Peter rolled his eyes. “Don’t act like you’re not gathering evidence as we speak, or rather FRIDAY is.”
“What?! What does that mean?” Steve yelled. “Tony is working with Ross!”
“So he can gather enough information to get him arrested, dipshit.” Peter deadpanned, shaking his head.
Tony stifled an ill timed laugh when Morgan opened her mouth, presumably to remind her brother of the ‘swear jar’ they both kept mentioning, before promptly snapping her mouth shut with a shrug. Seeing his reaction, his daughter sent him a mischievous smirk.
Steve got a wounded look on his face and looked at Tony. “Why- why wouldn’t you tell us? We could have helped if you had told us! We’re a team! We can’t have secrets like-“
“Okay. No. Absolutely fucking not.” Peter snapped suddenly, seething as he shot up from his seat and braced his hands on the table. He shook his head, “That is something that you are not going to be doing. Fuck no. Not when you’re keeping such an enormous secret, yourself. Hm?”
“Underoos?” Tony called questioning, eyes darting to Morgan’s face at her grimace.
“You want to tell him or will I?” Peter said, head tilted eerily as he stared the Captain down.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Steve said, face blanching tellingly.
“Steve?” Nat murmured, her face contorting with barely veiled confusion.
“Yes you do, Captain.” Peter retorted. “And he’ll be finding out one way or another, I’m just giving you a chance to confess.”
Steve’s eyes darted around the room nervously lingering on himself, Barnes, and Nat before settling back on Peter. Unease was practically radiating from him and Tony decided he’d had enough of the nonspeak. “I don’t-“
“Okay, what is going on?” Tony interrupted, hands curling into fists at his sides. “This obviously has something to do with me. So?”
Peter’s hard eyes turned to look at him, worried. “We don’t have to do this right now. It’s- it’s not going to be easy to hear. I can tell you later in private.”
Tony scoffed under his breath, eyes finding Steve’s again. He stared for a few seconds at fearful blue eyes before looking back at the Spider.
“Tell me.” He said firmly.
Peter cleared his throat nervously, “Okay.” He closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths before opening them again. “Okay,” He repeated “your parent’s car accident, it wasn’t exactly… an accident.” He said haltingly, shooting a look at Roger’s when he made a noise of shock.
“What- what?” Tony sputtered, mouth falling open in shock. He felt Rhodey grab his hand comfortingly but Tony was numb.
“It was a hit.” Peter continued. “Your father had been working on recreating the serum that they used on Roger’s over there. Hydra-“ At this his eyes darted towards Barnes minutely, but it was enough. Tony’s body went cold with dawning horror as he listened to the words. “-found out about it and they sent a- an assassin to retrieve it. To leave no witnesses.”
“What does this have to do with-“ Wanda started before being cut off by Steve sending her a look. The girls mouth snapped shut with a click.
“When S.H.I.E.L.D fell, and Ms. Romanoff and Captain Rogers dropped all of that information on the web, they came across something else too. A video.”
“A video.” Tony repeated, eyes dropping to Romanoff at his side. Her face had gone blank but her eyes were glued to the time travelers face.
“Of the night of December 16, 1991” Peter adds, wincing. “It showed- it showed the Winter Soldier killing Howard and- and Maria Stark.”
Tony couldn’t breathe. His lungs wouldn’t take in any air and his eyes were stuck on Steve- no Rogers’ face and it was… guilty.
“Steve-“ He heard Clint’s shocked (betrayed?) voice say vaguely.
“You- you knew about this? You knew about this for two years and you didn’t tell me?” Tony asks, his heart breaking in his chest.
“It wasn’t Bucky!” Steve protests stubbornly.
“Steve!” Wilson gasps, appalled.
“And you-“ He turned to Natasha and there it was. Guilty. Guilty. Guilty. “You knew too?”
“I did.” Romanoff confirms, face carefully neutral, holding Tony’s eyes. “But Tony, I thought he told you. He told me he would tell you. He promised he would.” Her neutral facade breaks slightly at the end of her sentence, eyes darting to Steve’s guilt ridden face.
Tony can’t help the bitter laugh that bursts from his chest as he turned away from the spy to look at the soldier. “And what you just thought I didn’t deserve to know about my parents- my parents murder?!”
“Tones.” Rhodey says sadly.
“It wasn’t Bucky!” Rogers protested again. “He didn’t-“
“Do you see me blaming your precious Bucky?! No, I’m blaming you! You lied to me! How could you call yourself my friend, my teammate while looking me in the eye and not tell me this?!” Tony snaps. “You think I don’t know what they do to POW’s in Hydra?! I’ve seen all of the files on the Winter Soldier too but-“ Another harsh laugh “I don’t even know why I’m surprised. Is that why you went off on your own? Didn’t involve me unless it was for my money?! To protect him? From me?” Tony asks, nodding to the blank eyed soldier at the Captains side. “That’s it, isn’t it?” Tony asks, looking to Peter for confirmation.
Peter winced. “While I don’t pretend to know or understand the thought process behind Captain Rogers’ actions, it was my understanding that he didn’t support the accords specifically because it would mean accountability. Including accountability for the Winter Solder over there, who had killed hundreds of people while brainwashed, including your parents.” He summarized. “No offence, James.” He added.
”Fuck.” Barton and Wilson muttered under their breath, staring at Captain America as though he were a stranger.
“That can’t be true?! Can it?! Right?!” Lang started hysterically. “I broke my probation for this! I- I left my daughter. Oh God, I’m going to prison, aren’t I? Again?!”
“Sorry Scott.” Peter said, grimacing faintly at the man. Scott apparently.
The guys head snapped up at being acknowledged. “You know me?” He asked incredulously.
“Yes well, I was involved in this whole fight, if you remember.” Peter answered stiffly, attempting a smile.
“And you’re his father in law!” Morgan added, smiling brightly enough to make up for her brother’s half assed one.
“Morgan Stark!” Peter hissed, flicking the girl on the forehead. “He did not need to know that!”
“Y-your father in law.” The man stuttered, eyes wide. “That means you’re married t-to-“
“Cassie!” Morgan chirped up again, twirling a strand of brunette hair around her fingers. “She’s awesome!”
“But she’s- she’s-“ Scott sputtered, face growing red, “eight years old!”
“Oh. Yeah. I forgot about that.” Morgan winced, hiding a laugh behind her hand.
Peter grimaced and shook his head, “Yeah, I did not. See Morgan, this is why we don’t just drop random pieces of information without context.” He held his hands up, looking a little green. “Something happened in the future. Something that caused half of life in the universe to disappear for five years. I disappeared and she didn’t so when I got back she was only two years younger than me and even then we didn’t even meet until we were both in college. So it wasn’t anything weird! I swear! I’m not some kind of creep or-“
“Jesus.” Tony huffs a small laugh despite the thoughts running through his mind.
Steve ‘Sometimes my teammates don’t tell me things’ Rogers keeping the biggest secret of all. Betrayal burned in his gut but he hid it behind a smirk. He didn’t want to think about this anymore.
“Cool it, Underoos!” He continued, amused that even twenty years later (nineteen, his mind corrected) Peter still rambled when he was nervous.
Lang looked a combination of angry, confused, and shocked as he stared at his supposed future son in law.
Peter looks sheepish, “Right, thanks, Mr. Stark.”
“Anyone else want the little dude to explain what exactly he means by ‘half of the life in the universe disappeared for five years’ or is that just me?” Sam whispers loudly.
”Little dude.”’ Morgan echoed, snickering.
“I’d rather table that for now and get back to the conversation at hand.” Peter says decisively, ignoring his sister. “Trust that we’ll get back to that soon. In my timeline, no genius all-knowing time travelers interrupted the airport battle in what came to be known by the media as the Avengers Civil War and it ended with all of ‘team Cap’ with the exception of the Captain himself and Mr. Barnes getting sent to the Raft.”
Tony couldn’t help his small smile despite the current conversation. ‘Genius all-knowing time travelers’. Huh.
“What is the Raft?” Wanda asked, saying the word with distaste regardless of her lack of knowledge on the subject.
“A super secret prison in the middle of the ocean for enhanced people.” Rhodey answered, disgust lacing his tone. “They really sent them there?”
“Ross did.” Peter answered, before nodding to Barnes and Rogers, “And then those two made their way to Siberia in search for the other Winter Soldiers. Mr. Stark followed after them but the Soldiers were dead when they got to the bunker. A man named Helmut Zemo, the man who is responsible for framing Mr. Barnes for the murder of King T’Chaka, had set a trap, and the three of you all walked right into it. It was there that Mr. Stark found out about his parents, by watching a video of it.”
Tony scoffed, “Of course.”
“There was a fight.” Peter cleared his throat uncomfortably. “Afterwards, Mr. Barnes and Captain Rogers aided by King T’Challa, escaped from the bunker in Siberia and after rescuing the others from the raft, they all took refuge in Wakanda. Ms. Romanoff joined them a few weeks later, or so I’m told.”
“Wait, Nat? Why, she’s on Starks side, isn’t she?” Clint asked, sharing a glance with Natashalie.
Peter grimaced and nodded. “She was, but she helped Mr. Barnes and Captain Rogers escape from the airport, switching sides at the last minute. She went against the accords after signing them which is a big no no, soooo…” Peter trailed off awkwardly, avoiding Tony’s eyes.
Tony almost wanted to laugh. This was just classic.
“You said Barnes and Roger’s got out of Siberia, what about Tones?” Rhodey piped up, arms crossed.
Peter flinched slightly at the question and Tony noticed Morgan leaning more firmly into his side. Color him curious. He raised a questioning brow when Peter darted a look his way.
“His suit had been disabled and it took FRIDAY a few hours to get into contact with Vision. By the time Vision and I found him he’d been lying in a dead suit in the freezing cold for close to 20 hours. It was- it was bad.” Peter said, his words careful. “It took a few surgeries, Dr. Cho’s cradle, some Extremis, and a new arc reactor but he was back up and running in a few months.”
Tony’s hand flew automatically to where his reactor used to sit in his chest. “It was that bad?” He asked, eyes darting to Rogers.
Peter smiled tensely. “Worse than I care to remember.”
“I wouldn’t- I would never-“ Steve sputtered, blue eyes wide.
“What? Betray him? Attack him?” Peter spat suddenly, eyes flaming. “Even for your little friend over there? Even if you thought you were saving his life?”
“I-“ Steve stammered, face reddening.
“Already did.” Tony finished. “You may not have beat me half to death but make no mistake that you’ve fucked me over. Big time.”
“I’m- I’m sorry Tony.” Steve said sadly, pleadingly.
“Not necessary.” Tony replied shortly, not meeting the other man’s eyes. “Can we move on now?” He asked, directing his attention back towards Peter.
“Yes. So the Accords, Mr. Stark spent the next year working with the UN, King T’Challa, and a handful of other enhanced people to get some of the clauses amended while adding others. It took a lot of time and effort but, they got them to a point where they were accepted by the public as well as the people the document was targeting. A majority of people with enhancements felt safe signing but it would have been a much easier process if the Avengers had presented a united front. Change would be much smoother than it was the first time around.” Peter looked around the table and gave them a sad looking smile. “Look you guys, I know I’m dropping a lot of information on you guys, stuff that could tear the team apart, but you guys need to stick together. The world will need the Avengers sooner than you think and one of the reasons that we lost that fight in my timeline is because the Avengers were no longer a team.” Peter said, seriousness in every line of his body.
“You’ve hinted at that a few times, something big. What is coming?” Natashalie said, eyeing the man speculatively.
Peter took a deep breath before speaking. “Not what. Who. His name is Thanos.” He answered finally, his voice almost a whisper.