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Chapter Text

“You just can’t understand what you just did, right?!” Tony Stark shouted at Peter Quill. “He killed Gamora! I don't care about anything else, he killed her!” Peter shouted back. Quill looked close to tears as his friends around him cringed. Mantis, as she introduced herself, was actually crying. 

“Mr. Stark, something is happening.” Peter spoke loudly over the arguing of the other Peter and his mentor. “What? What’s wrong?” Tony asked, his voice full of worry. He walked, or more like wobbled to Peter who started to look around, trying to desperately find something wrong. “He is right.” Mantis told the Guardians who looked at them weird. Dr. Strange looked at him with an unreadable expression. 

“I think we lost, Mr. Stark.” Peter said quietly, still searching with his eyes. Then he found it. “Fuck.” Peter Quill whispered as he turned to dust, Drax followed. “Goodbye,” Mantis smiled sadly at them. Nebula spun around, watching them turn to dust. 

Tony took a breath in. “Peter,” The boy in question fell towards his mentor, hugging him. “I’m sorry Mr. Stark.” Tony looked more confused than he was ever in his life, and  clutched the boy in his arms. 

Then. 

Peter was left with nothing on his hands but dust. He looked down at them, as if he was seeing blood on his hands, blood that he caused. He turned to look up just in time to catch Strange’s eyes, and then the wizard turned to dust too. Peter spun around to see every one of the Guardians that was with them to dust too. Only the blue lady stayed, though she looked like she wished to turn into ash too. 

Peter’s eyes were wide, as he turned to face the blue lady. “I think we just lost.” he told her, and her eyes teared up, even though her face turned stony. “Thanos succeeded.” she said. Peter stumbled, catching himself on a rock beside him as he went to his knees. “Mr. Stark is gone.” he whispered, and then thought about all of the people that might be gone too. His aunt. Ned. MJ. 

His eyes shone brightly with tears that Peter let fall, and the blue lady hesitantly walked to him. “We should get you home. The ship is damaged, but it should be able to get us to Terra.” she spoke, but Peter didn’t really care. He didn’t know who he was returning to. He let the blue lady pick him up, and help him on the ship. He turned around halfway to the ship, and ran for Mr. Stark's helmet that he threw once he started fighting with the other Peter. 

The blue lady watched as he walked inside. And in return, he watched as she looked around, trying to find damage, or maybe food, he didn’t really know, but she returned and told him to strap in. She sat in the captain’s seat and started the ship. Peter didn’t really pay attention, because in his mind was everyone that was lost. God, what if he returned and there was no one? What if he’s all alone again? 

Seventeen and alone. 

Peter sobbed until he fell asleep. 

At some point, the blue lady realized that he didn’t really remember her name, so she re-introduced herself. Her name was Nebula. He introduced himself too. 

They didn’t talk much the first two or three days, aside from when they shared food. He then later began to tell her stories from school, his patrol and everything he could think of, just so that it wouldn't be quiet in the large ship. 

In return, Nebula, although hesitantly, began to tell him stories from her childhood. They were sad and scary, but at least he had somebody to talk to. It was sometimes around the seventh or eighth day that Peter had a panic attack, because he was staring at his hands for too long and saw the dust and grime on his hands, and he was reminded that the dust was Mr. Stark. 

He began to panic a lot more when he realized that the dust was all over him. Nebula didn’t really know how to calm him down, so he did it himself, by remembering that people out there, left all alone, need Spiderman. They need someone to show them that they can move on and that everything will be good again and that they’re not alone. They need hope. Peter is willing to do that for them. 

Once they lived through day eleven, Peter began to lose hope himself. They weren’t any closer to Earth. Their food was running low. Peter’s metabolism hit him hard, and Nebula knew. She gave him her share of food, and he took it with shame. Two days later, he tried to leave a message on the helmet that once belonged to his mentor. 

“Hi, it's me again. We’re on day thirteen , I think. Time is really hard to tell in space. I don’t know if we’ll make it to Earth, but if we don’t, please someone find Pepper, if she’s still there, and tell her how sorry I am. He should be the one here, he should be in my place, hoping to get home and he's not. He’s dead. It should have been me. God, I really wish it had been me. I don’t know who’s left for me. I don’t know if I have anyone left.  If I do, I'm really sorry. I am.” Peter turned off the recording. He stood up, shakily and walked to the cockpit where Nebula was sitting in the captain's seat. He sat next to her. 

She turned to face him, her face less stony than it was almost two weeks ago. Then she turned her face to the front, and nudged him to look too. In the open space full of nothing, there was a blonde woman with a grim expression. She asked; ‘Earth?’ and Peter released a breath and nodded his head desperately. “What did she say?” Nebula asked, and Peter realized that she didn’t have his enhanced senses, and therefore no super hearing. “She’s taking us to Earth. I think.” Peter replied, still watching the woman who flew below their ship. 

It began to move fastly and Peter laughed. He laughed, and then his ribs started to hurt so he stopped. “Looks like we’ll survive this one, Nebs.” he told his blue lady who smiled at him. “Looks like it, Parker.” 

Peter almost cried when he saw the compound getting closer to them, and ran towards the exit where he waited till they landed. Nebula followed him. There were people waiting for them outside. Nebula helped him down and he almost cried when he saw Pepper and Happy. He hugged them both, once he ran to them with the strenght he had left in him. “I’m so sorry.” He kept repeating until he was sobbing it, falling on his knees as Nebula rushed to help him up, but Pepper was faster. She knelt down and hugged him harder. “It’s okay, you’re okay.” she said while she cried too.  

Some time later,  Happy picked both of them off the ground and walked them inside. He called a medic who hooked Peter up to some infusion and liquid medication. He then took Nebula to another room and Peter was too tired to hear in on what they're saying. Probably speaking about how much they all fucked up.

He told the medics he wished to stay with Pepper. “I’m really sorry, Miss Potts. I don’t know how it happened.” He told her. “It’s okay Peter. I’m sorry too.  May, she, she’s gone too. I tried to find her around the third day you didn’t return. Your apartment was sold, but I kept all of your stuff.” Pepper said, wiping her tears with her sleeve. 

Peter looked at his hands, and then quickly looked away when he blinked and saw dust and blood. “I had a feeling. Miss Potts, I don't know what to do now.” he blinked away the tears. “Don’t call me that, call me Pepper. I know that you just got back, and I don't want to replace May, but I could adopt you?” she asked quietly and hesitantly. Her eyes teared up again and she sniffled. 

“I don’t want that pity, Miss, I mean, Pepper.” Pepper smiled a sad smile. “It’s not pity. I also don’t want to be alone, Peter. I don’t know how much you know of me, but I don't really have a family. You’re the only one I have left of him, and I really don’t want to be alone.” Pepper replied. Peter started to feel like shit, because he was feeling bad for himself, and he didn’t realize that she lost everyone too. 

“I guess we can make a family of two.” he said after a minute of quiet. “Three. Before To- before Tony left for space, he was talking about a weird dream he had. Where I'd been pregnant. Turns out that his dream was right. I’m pregnant.” Pepper said. Peter gaped a little, but Pepper laughed. “I finally told someone. It's been eating me up, I didn't want to tell Happy or Rhodey first, so congrats Pete, you're about to be a brother.” Peter smiled at the fact that she didn't even hesitate to call him the brother of the baby. 

“Family of three then,” he corrected himself and Pepper took his hand, and he had to remind himself that he showered just moments ago and that his hands are clean, but he smiled at her, and she at him. 

Chapter Text

“You just can’t understand what you just did, right?!” Tony Stark shouted at Peter Quill. “He killed Gamora! I don't care about anything else, he killed her!” Peter shouted back. Quill looked close to tears as his friends around him cringed. Mantis, as she introduced herself, was actually crying. 

“Mr. Stark, something is happening.” Peter spoke loudly over the arguing of the other Peter and his mentor. “What? What’s wrong?” Tony asked, his voice full of worry. He walked, or more like wobbled to Peter who started to look around, trying to desperately find something wrong. “He is right.” Mantis told the Guardians who looked at them weird. Dr. Strange looked at him with an unreadable expression. 

“I think we lost, Mr. Stark.” Peter said quietly, still searching with his eyes. Then he found it. “Fuck.” Peter Quill whispered as he turned to dust, Drax followed. “Goodbye,” Mantis smiled sadly at them. Nebula spun around, watching them turn to dust. 

Tony took a breath in. “Peter,” The boy in question fell towards his mentor, hugging him. “I’m sorry Mr. Stark.” Tony looked more confused than he was ever in his life, and  clutched the boy in his arms. 

Then nothing. 

Just black abyss. 

And suddenly, bright light and Tony woke up on the floor of Titan, with the wizard over him. “It’s been five years, Stark. They need us, come on.” Tony looked at him strangely. Pun intended. 

“Five years? What the hell. Where’s Peter?” Tony spoke as he stood from the ground. “Spider-Man is leading the fight against Thanos, on Earth. We have to hurry, there is no one left to help him,” Tony was even more confused. His seventeen year old mentee, his almost son was fighting with the big purple? And the only weapon Tony has is a broken suit? Fuck his life. 

“Come on, man. We’re all ready.” Peter Quill said from a distance. Tony’s face hardened, and he nodded.

When Strange opened a portal, Tony paled. Hundreds of aliens, and Thanos all charging on the little group of heroes. One of them being his kid. 

He looked around, and a shit ton of other portals opened, with a lot of heroes coming out. On his left side, the whole of Wakanda walked out of the portal with Steve Rogers leading them, Sam Wilson on his left and King T’challa on his right. 

Someone from the front screamed. “Fucking kill that grape!” and Tony, Tony didn't know what the fuck was going on. 

His suit was damaged a lot, and he didn't know where Pepper and Peter are. He had to protect them, otherwise this was all for nothing. 

As the heroes reacted to the scream from earlier, Tony ran with them, until he was stopped by a Spider-person? “Hi. I'm Peter's friend, Spider-Woman, he sent you this. Don't die out there,” She said as she threw a watch into his hands and webbed away. Since when are there more Spideys. He quickly tapped his chest, the nanites covering back and put on the watch. 

As soon as it was on his hand, he was back in his suit. A new suit, with no damage. “Hello boss. It's a pleasure to work with you again.” his AI said. 

“FRIDAY? What's going on? Where is Pepper? Who was the woman in white Spidey suit?” he fired questions at his AI while shooting some aliens. 

“Miss Potts is on her way, Peter is in the front with Iron Lad, Silk and Miss Shuri with Black Cat. The Spider-Woman has another version of the spider bite, along with Miss Silk.” Tony didn't know half of those people. Yet he prevailed. 

Sometimes later in the battle, he was back to back with Rogers, who told him he was also dusted. “Who was in charge then?” they both asked each other. And when Rogers left with Thor's hammer in tow, he was met with Pepper. 

“Oh my God, Tony.” She said as they both landed, ignoring the battle around them. Their suits reacted instantly and retreated. She hugged him hard, and Tony didn't even have time to react. He hugged her back, coming to the conclusion that she wasn't gone. “Pep?” 

She pulled back. Tony noticed the difference now that she let him have a  look. She looked different from the last time he saw her. She looked tired, alas happy. “You have no idea how much we missed you.” She said, and then hugged him again. 

“I– how long has it been again? Five years?” Tony asked, and she nodded into his shoulder. “Guys, Pep, I love you, but you need to move on. There's gonna be a chase. Like, run the fuck for your life with the gauntlet until Carol gets here.” Another spider person said, Silk, with short black hair and a black suit. 

“Who has it now?” Pepper asked, straight to her business mode. “I think, Harley. I'm not sure.” Silk then tapped her ear, and nodded. “He passed it to Peter just now. I'll get it next. Cover for me while I'll try Shuri.” Then, she swung off, her web attached to a fucking unicorn that Thor rode as he screamed profanities at Thanos. Still, Pepper didn't react as her suit washed over her again and flew after the spider girl. 

Tony followed after her, and when he noticed Spider-Man swinging on Ant-Man's large arm, he almost collapsed. Peter landed down, looked over for the spider girl and threw her the gauntlet. “ETA ten minutes.” the spider girl nodded, and webbed off again, in search of Shuri. Who the fuck is Shuri. 

“Mr. Stark.” Peter sighed, and hugged the man. Tony almost didn't react, from the impact and how strong Peter hugged him. “I missed you a lot, Mr. Stark. So much has changed, you’ve got no idea.” Tony looked at the boy, no, the young man who looked a lot older than the last time Tony saw him. Peter's face was full of little scars, but he seemed alright. Other than the bleeding lip and some bruise on his eye. 

“Let me put you through our comms. Karen, be a dear and patch through the dusted Avengers.” Peter spoke as soon as he let go of Tony. All of the sudden, all Tony could hear was endless chatter. Some girl was yelling at aliens, another one was screaming curses at them, and, was that Harley that screamed about grapes? God, Tony missed a lot. 

“I have to go, we lost Bruce somewhere and he isn't answering, I've sent one of the legions after him, but no luck. So far no casualties on our side, but Cindy has been stabbed, and Ned is doing med duty. If one of you is hurt, scream for him and a portal will open for you to the SI Tower. We've put Dr. Cho in there, with shit ton of NDA's so don't worry.” Peter rambled, and God, did he say that his friend Ted was doing portals now? 

“What did I say about this? I told you that it would go south, Pete.” Pepper said and Peter looked a bit sheepish. How did these two even become friends(?) Tony is so fucking confused. 

“I'm sorry, did you say that Ted is doing portals?” he cut into their little argument and Peter laughed. “A lot has changed. We'll have to catch up later,” Peter said as someone screamed bloody murder into the comms. 

“Fuck all, these motherfuckers are sending bullet rain on us. From the fucking ship.” Harley shouted. Peter immediately replied, “Ned tell the wizards to make us some shields. Whoever has their own, use it, if not, hide under some rubble. If they don't stop after five minutes pass, I'll let yall do the ‘Fuck All’ protocol.” Peter said, and then he waved to Pepper and Tony, shot a web at Thor who passed by on the unicorn shooting lightning at aliens and sometimes the ship. 

“What the fuck is happening.” Tony asked, or more like said, as FRIDAY instructed him to put up a shield. He didn't even know this suit had a shield. Pepper did the same, and then he heard Peter shouting again. “Somebody stop the fucking flood. I swear to God if I drown I'm haunting all of you dumbasses!” It was a bit unnatural hearing Peter curse, but somebody had to go and stop it, because he stopped cursing a minute after. 

“Who has the gauntlet now?!” Tony shouted, “I do. Someone come switch, I swear these fucking aliens are so shit. Someone tell MJ to send more drones. And more of Iron Legion.” a girl replied, and Tony moved to take the gauntlet from her, but he was too slow and someone else did it. A weird looking thing. Green suit and a floating skateboard. What the fuck. “Fucking finally! Did the private jet have a late arrival?” Harley shouted at the dude, who laughed. “I’m here now, ain't I?” He took the gauntlet and threw some glowing balls at aliens, who blew up. 

“All right, Carol’s ETA. is two minutes. Hold the fort and then run the fuck her way. MJ is setting the protocol “All hands on deck” so, this should be over in no time. Try not to die.” Peter said through the comms, and Tony tried very hardly to ignore the chatter that followed. Most of them were the original Avengers, who dusted, asking what the fuck was going on. 

“MJ our God and saviour.” Spider-Woman said as she passed Tony, who was now back to back with Rogers again. Pepper disappeared on him sometimes when the flood started. “So I'm not the only one confused as fuck?” Tony breathed, and Steve nodded. “So much. Who are those kids?” 

Tony was about to reply, but he was interrupted by a huge  cheer from the said kids, as they all abandoned the aliens they were fighting and all flew, ran, and webbed towards Thanos, who seemed surprised at their quick arrival. “Guys what the fuck are you doing?!” Pepper yelled, “Carol is here. She's behind him, and moving towards us. We're meeting her in the middle.” Some girl replied, with a heavy accent. Tony was multitasking, currently he was shooting at aliens, looking at the kids, and looking at Thor still on the unicorn, moving with the kids behind them, covering from behind. 

“Was Thor dusted?” Tony asked Rogers, who shook his head. “He was not. He told me his Unicorn is named Bean. I'm more confused than I was when coming out of ice.” 

“Carol has the gauntlet! I repeat, Carol is snapping those fuckers away. Cover her, from all sides. Wizards, prepare to portal shit ton of people to the SI Tower.” Tony didn't even have time to react, as the aliens around them began to dust. He made eye contact with Thanos, as he was turning to ash. The purple alien looked resigned, and not an ounce of other emotion was on his face as he died. 

All around him were cheers, mostly from the kids at the front, and God, those were kids leading them, and from what seemed, Peter was leading the kids. 

At one point, he collapsed against Rogers, who fell with him to the floor. And there was that, the Black abyss again. 

_______________

When Thanos snapped in Wakanda, a shit ton of people just disappeared. Steve looked around, as he felt something deep in his bones. The last thing he saw was Bucky's shocked face, and then nothing. 

Just nothing. 

And in a sudden, he was back in Wakanda. “Rogers, Mr. T'challa. Welcome back.” someone spoke, but Steve didn't really catch who, as he tried to focus. 

“What's going on?” T'challa asked. “It's been five years. There's a battle going on in New York, where the Avengers compound used to stand. Thanos is back, they need us there.” Now that Steve is finally focused, he could hear and see who spoke. 

“Shuri is with them, on the front. She would love to be the one that meets you here, but she has no teleportation powers that I do.” The boy, or rather the man, was tan, maybe filipino, with short hair. He was a bit short, and he wore some kind of robes. 

T’challa seemed more confused than ever, but he nodded his head. The boy turned to face the army behind him. “In the name of your queen, step up the front and rock some alien shit.” He yelled, and to Steve's surprise, they yelled back too. 

The boy waved his hand around, and an orange portal appeared. “On your left, Cap.” Sam nodded his head, and Steve stepped through first. 

Just as Steve stepped through with T'challa on his right side, and Sam on his left side, someone from the front of the battle field screamed, “Fucking kill that grape!” and, to Steve’s surprise people screamed back at him and ran to battle. At one point he was back to back with Tony, who was also dusted. Steve then wondered if the Avengers were still a thing if the two of them were gone. Steve saw Thor’s hammer on the ground, so he picked it up and went his way, trying to get to the front. 

“Ah, my old friend! I see, you still have my beard. And my hammer.” Thor suddenly popped up out of nowhere, with a weird looking glove on one hand, and a huge axe in his other hand. “I’m not mad at you, my friend.” Thor laughed, and then he whistled and out of nowhere a horse flew down, with a fucking horn, and god, is that an actuall unicorn?! “This is my other friend, Bean. He’s got anger issues, but we’re working on it. I’ve got to pass this along, but it's been nice to see you again.” Thor then sat on his Unicorn named Bean and flew away. 

Steve shook his head, and went straight to battling the aliens. He was trying to find a way to move to the front, but it was occupied by loud kids, as they made flips and laughed, shooting the aliens back to back. The comm in his ear activated again, “So far no casualties on our side, but Cindy has been stabbed, and Ned is on med duty. If one of you is hurt, scream for him and a portal will open up to the SI Tower. We’ve put Dr. Cho in there, with shit ton of NDA’s, so don’t worry.” a young man said, and then another screamed again, the same voice that told them to kill the grape, “Fuck all, these motherfuckers are sending bullet rain on us. From the fucking ship.”

The young man that told them about no casualties immediately replied, “Ned tell the wizards to make us some shields. Whoever has their own, use it, if not, hide under some rubble. If they don't stop after five minutes pass, I'll let yall do the ‘Fuck All’ protocol.” 

“What the fuck is happening.” Tony voiced Steve's thoughts. Then the man again, “Somebody stop the fucking flood. I swear to God if I drown I'm haunting all of you dumbasses!” Steve noticed a wizard floating over to the huge body of water, and shivered. 

“Who has the gauntlet now?!” Tony shouted, “I do. Someone come switch, I swear these fucking aliens are so shit. Someone tell MJ to send more drones. And more of Iron Legion.” a girl replied, and Steve ran over to her, but he was a bit late and someone else got it. Was that a green man on a floating skateboard? 

“Fucking finally! Did the private jet have a late arrival?” someone shouted at him, and the green one laughed. “I’m here now, ain't I?” He took the gauntlet and threw some glowing balls at aliens, who blew up. 

“All right, Carol’s ETA. is two minutes. Hold the fort and then run the fuck her way. MJ is setting the protocol “All hands on deck” so, this should be over in no time. Try not to die.” someone said through the comms, and Steve then asked, “What's going on? Who is Carol? Who the fuck is MJ?! And why are there kids? Specifically on the front?!” He got no reply, as some drones flew past his head and some girl swung by, “MJ our God and saviour.” Is that the spider kid Tony had with him?!  No, the kid was a boy. Then as if he knew that Steve was thinking about him, Tony appeared behind his back again. “So I'm not the only one confused as fuck?” Tony breathed, and Steve nodded. “So much. Who are those kids?” 

Tony was about to reply, but he was interrupted by a huge  cheer from the said kids, as they all abandoned the aliens they were fighting and all flew, ran, and webbed towards Thanos, who seemed surprised at their quick arrival. Steve swore that he saw the alien back up against the eight or so kids. 

“Guys what the fuck are you doing?!” Pepper Potts yelled from somewhere, and god, why is she even here? As far as Steve knows, she doesn't want a part in this business, “Carol is here. She's behind him, and moving towards us. We're meeting her in the middle.” Some girl replied, with a heavy accent. Was that T'challa's sister? The one who promised to save Bucky? 

Still very confused, Steve didn't move, because, what the hell is going on. 

“Was Thor dusted?” Tony then asked, and Steve shook his head. “He was not. He told me his Unicorn is named Bean. I'm more confused than I was when coming out of ice.” 

“Carol has the gauntlet! I repeat, Carol is snapping those fuckers away. Cover her, from all sides. Wizards, prepare to portal shit ton of people to the SI Tower.”  Steve gaped as the aliens turned to dust and ashes all around him, and the kids erupted in cheers, as if this was some video game and they just won. 

Steve looked around, and then he quickly regretted not paying attention as Tony fell on him, and then both went to the floor. He hit his head, and then there was the black again.

Chapter Text

“Shh, he still hasn’t woken up. Not one of them, to be honest. Banner is the worst one of them, but the shot of extremis helped a lot. Carol is already up and eating out of our fridge. Cho hasn’t slept in a long time, so she took a break.” a voice spoke quietly and Tony tried his hardest to focus, and open his eyes. 

Five years have passed. God, he missed five years, Peter is twenty-one now, he missed his high school graduation. He missed every important milestone for Peter, and it just hit him now. He struggled to open his eyes, but when he did, he regretted it. 

“Fri, dim the lights. Hi, Mr. Stark. Do you feel any pain?” Tony blinked, and shook his head. “That’s good. Pep will be here soon enough, in the meantime, do you remember MJ?” Tony did remember the scary girlfriend that came to yell at him when Peter was shot. She, like Peter, also grew and looked like an adult. “Of course I do. Scary girl, glad to see you again.” Tony smiled at the two. “Same to you, Stark.” MJ nodded her head, and then turned to face Peter. “I’ll be back tomorrow, be ready at ten.” Then she waved at Tony, and walked out of the med bay. 

“Always so cheery.” Tony said, and Peter laughed. “Yeah. Tony, listen. This  is going to be some–” Peter struggled to find words, and Tony immediately began to worry, as soon as his name was out of Peter’s mouth, to be honest. “–hard news. You have to keep your cool, though, please, I don't want to see her upset.” and as soon as Peter was done speaking, Pepper stepped into his room, and a little girl ran behind her. 

Tony almost stopped breathing as the little girl stopped, and looked him over. “Petey, am I sleepwalking again?” Tony’s breath hitched. “No, Morguna. You’re not. I’m sure you know who this is,” Tony stared at the little girl, and then looked at Pepper who was blinking away tears. The little girl walked up to his side and sat on his bed. “Hi. I’m Morgan. You’re my daddy, right? Petey told me stories about you.” As soon as the words left her mouth. Tony started to cry. 

He had a daughter.

Little five year old daughter. Morgan Stark. “Yeah, kiddo, I’m your dad.” Tony replied, hugging his daughter. His daughter. God, he missed everything. Like, her birth, her first steps, her first words, he missed everything.  “I leave you three alone.” Peter smiled at them, and Pepper frowned. “Where are you going? Did you forget that you were also laying in one of those beds just yesterday?” Tony almost gaped at them, because Pepper seemed and sounded like a mother. He supposed that she was one now, but he didn't think that it also meant Peter. 

“I was discharged. I'm going up, May has been sleeping since Happy dropped her off, and I really wanna see her.” Peter said, and Pepper nodded. “Don't forget you're scheduled for a check up with Cho.” She told him as he walked out. 

“May was gone too?” Tony asked. “She was. I adopted Peter. I don't know what we will do now, but we'll figure it out somehow.” Pepper  said, more tired than he remembered and she sat down on one of the chairs. “God, Tony,  you can't even imagine what happened over the past five years. It's been– a lot.” Everyone keeps saying that, but no one actually tells him what's going on. 

“So, who else was gone?” Tony asked, as he continued to hold his daughter who fell asleep in his hold. “A lot of people. Rogers, Barton, and you were gone from the original Avengers. Wilson, Maximoff, were gone too. May, along with Harley’s mom and sister. He’s also in my care, and MJ is in Happy’s care.” Tony raised his eyebrows. “Our Happy? With a child? What? When did that happen?” 

“MJ was at first in her uncle’s care, but he got into a car crash. MJ’s options were either move to Nebraska, or stay here in Happy’s care. She’s always on Peter’s floor, though. By the way, I gave your floor to Peter. No more six labs on two floors just because you don't want to clean your lab every time you use it.” Tony rolled his eyes playfully and she corrected herself, “Your original is still where it used to be. His floor now consists of a kitchen, his own lab, their bedroom, and two other rooms for Harley and some friend that’s currently visiting. And a huge living room for sleepovers, because sleepovers are for adults too apparently. But, that’s just me rambling now. I ramble now. Did you notice? Damn Peter’s influence.” Tony laughed at her, and she smiled at him. 

“I missed your laughter. It’s good that you’re back,” 

“You’re being mushy. I’m leaving you.” Morgan suddenly sat up from Tony’s hold and hopped down from the bed. “I’m going to meet my name twin. You two be mushy while I'm not here. I love you.” She talked as she walked to the door, and then turned around to tell them that she loves them, just to leave suddenly. “Savage. Is she allowed to move around the tower alone?” Tony then asked. 

“Of course. The Stark Industries tower became like an inoperable castle when those kids put their heads together.  You’d love Riri, Shuri and the rest of them. There’s so many. I fear that I’ve become you and just collected strays. So many of them.” Pepper said looking into the distance, as if remembering something, and Tony smiled. 

“I’m sure of it.” 

=====

“Hi, May.” Peter whispered to his aunt. She looked up from the picture she was holding with tears in her eyes. “Oh my god. You grew so much. How old even are you?” Peter chuckled and sat down next to her. “I’m turning twenty two in two months. I feel so old.” He joked, but her face fell even more. “I missed your graduation. I missed your twenty-first birthday.” 

“Yeah. It’s been hard. But you’re back, and I'm so happy. You can’t even imagine how much I missed you. The only luck I had was that Pep had been okay. She adopted me and I became her shadow because she was pregnant. I started to run the Stark Industries when she was too pregnant. It’s been amazing, May. MJ is the head of all things public and sometimes she’s like the second CEO because I’m busy and because she’s amazing, and Ned has the coding and security department in his pocket. I’ve met so many amazing people, I’ve got to introduce you.”  Peter smiled as he talked, and gave her a side hug. 

“MJ? Ned? They’re okay?” May then asked, and he nodded. “I found them a bit later because I’ve been on lockdown for two months. It was the worst grounding I ever had, and only because I was a bit unstable. But, yes, they are okay. I’m actually dating MJ, and Ned has a girlfriend too. Her name is Gwen and she’s part spider like me.” May raised her eyebrows and asked, “Part spider? So she’s Spider-Woman?” 

“Yes. And we have one more person with a spider bite. Her name is Cindy, she was my classmate. Her other name is Silk. They were nightmares to train. Zero out of zero. Would not reccomend.” May laughed at that, and then sighed.

“It’s so weird. I remember waiting for you to come home because Pepper called me as soon as she found out you’re in space, and then, I blinked and nothing. I blinked again and I’m back in our apartment with random people screaming from fear and my little almost seventeen year old nephew is now twenty one. Graduated. With a freaking job as the owner of Stark Industries.” 

“You have no idea. I’m expecting so much trouble for owning it, and being– and about other stuff.” Peter sighed, and May nodded. “Where’s your friends now?” she then asked. “They’re with their families. Explaining stuff, and the general. Like, you guys are going to have it so hard, because everything has changed. I don't know if I'll be present to help you with everything, but don’t hesitate to ask me, and I'll make sure to help you the best I can.” 

“All I wanna do is just return to how it was.” May sighed deeply into the hug. “It can’t. It’s going to be worse before it’s better. But believe me, in the end, every bit of pain is worth it.” 

“It’s so sad to hear you say that because you’ve lived it. I’m so sorry for not being there, I’m so sorry.” May sobbed. “No, no, it’s not your fault. It’s ours for failing. We were supposed to protect you guys, but we failed. I won’t allow any more mistakes like that.” Peter rushed to explain, but she just sobbed more. “May. It wasn’t your fault. It wasn’t a mistake on the original avengers, and they’re pretty much retired. I won’t allow that kind of thing to happen.” 

“But why should it be your job?” May asked, a little calmer. “No one stepped up but me. I decided that it would be my job.” Peter sighed. “I love you May, and i missed you a lot, but you gotta understand that.” May took a breath, and nodded. “I will try.” 

Then, the elevator opened. “Hi Petey. Miss Parker. I’m Morgan May Stark.” a little girl ran into Peter’s arms. “May, meet my little sister. She’s named after some weird uncle and the best aunt in the whole world.” Peter smiled. “I like your hair.” Morgan said after a second of quiet. “Oh my god. She’s named after me?!” she looked at Peter who nodded, and then back at Morgan. “Thank you, sweetie. I like yours too.” Morgan laughed. “You’re funny. Let me tell you about what Petey did when Ned fell through the ceiling.” Morgan jumped from Peter’s arms and went straight into May’s. 

Chapter Text

A week later, Tony found himself in a conference room after a long time. He wasn’t the one that was leading it though, no, he was just told to be there and chime in from time to time. Because apparently Michelle and Peter have plans. Plans that involve all of the Avengers. 

“Good to see you all back alive. When you were gone, the world was left without its protectors–” Fury was also there. And he was interrupted by none other than Harley. “Let me save you from the speech. You were gone, we stepped up. Now that you’re back, the world wants to know where it stands with its protectors. There’s also the problem of the accords, that are now back in this mess because you are fugitives in the eyes of law.” Harley sighed deeply, also with so much boredom that Tony is surprised that Fury didn't kick him out. 

“That’s absurd, we saved them all.” Wilson said, and Barnes next to him cringed. It was weird seeing the man without long hair and the haunted eyes. They’re still there, just not as much. “We helped saving them. It was Peter over there, who invented time travel. And those kids did all the time travel stuff, together. We fought some aliens and didn’t die fighting them.” Barnes said, and Tony was actually surprised that he spoke at all. 

“We were gone! I’m sure that we would figure something out if it came to it.” Rogers then spoke. “I’m sure we could be pardoned, right?” Barton then asked. It was weird calling them by their last names, but Tony wasn’t feeling all that familiar with them now. 

“Okay, first of all, you wouldn’t have to figure something out at all if you weren’t behaving like children all those years ago. Because of the fact that you fought, you separated and kept the world defenseless.” Shuri spoke. She was sitting next to Cindy and Gwen, and while she said that Gwen snorted. 

“The accords are inhumane! Like hell I'll sign them.” Rogers spoke again. “Your fight wasn’t about the accords, but about our dear James right here. If you’d read the accords you’d know that they’d be open to change at any time.” Gwen said. “Who even are you?!” Rogers asked. “I’m one of the people who cleaned up your mess. Don’t come at me because I’m right.” Gwen replied. Shuri fist bumped her under the table. 

“Okay, I don't want to be mean, but I don't know any of you.” Ant-man raised his hand, and then he put it down slowly once he realised that everyone looked at him. 

Fury rolled his eye. 

“Gwen Stacy, Spider-Woman and an executive in Oscorp. Next to her is Shuri, she’s the current queen of Wakanda. Cindy Moon, or rather Silk, she’s also in Oscorp.” Tony cringed at the mention of Oscorp and rolled his eyes at Steve and the rest of them who knew of his feelings towards the business. 

“Next is Harry Osborn, or Green Goblin, he's the CEO of Oscorp. Then we have Harley Keener, he's Iron Lad and he does shit with SI. Ned Leeds, he's got magic. He also works at SI.” Que more glances at Tony who at this point just sighed. 

“Michelle Jones. Peter Parker, he’s Spider-man and the CEO of Stark Industries. He is also the current leader of the Avengers Initiative.” Fury continued. 

As soon as those words were out of his mouth, multiple people started to talk over each other. MJ rolled her eyes, and whistled. “Stop acting like children in middle school.” 

“We are not. You are literal kids. What the heck. Do you even know how to do this?!” Barton asked, with shock evident on his face. Rogers just stared at Peter, who stared back. “Stop with the staring contest. Look, I know that I’m not the best person to talk here, but I actually am not a convicted felon anymore. I got pardoned three years ago after I undertook some healing in Wakanda. Peter did that. He didn't even help, he did it by himself.” Barnes cleared his throat awkwardly, not used to speaking up in the presence of them all. At least Tony thinks so. “He also made sure to pardon me too.” Natasha spoke quietly. 

“Right, well. Can we hurry up? I've got to go back to Wakanda. There's so much to do, it's exhausting.” Shuri sighed, a tad bit dramatically. Peter looked at Fury who nodded. It was weird as fuck seeing them actually together in a room, when Tony tried to stop Fury from reaching out to him just weeks ago. Only that it hadn’t been weeks, it had been years. 

Peter stood up. He walked next to Fury, who took a step back. Barton side-eyed Natasha, who was quiet almost the whole meeting. “In a half an hour, Ross will be here. He will try to fight with me over you. He will try to detain you, you will resist, but you will have to let him speak freely. We need him to think that he’s having the upper hand. You need to act like you’re angry. He will feed into those feelings, and then when his fun is over with you, he’ll rip into me. He hates me more than you. I will then speak with him, and you’ll have to be quiet.” Peter spoke. 

“Why should we listen to you?” Maximoff asked. Tony rolled his eyes, “And, why are you quiet about this whole thing? He even took over Stark Industries.” Steve turned to face Tony. “I died. He was in my will, he took over.” Tony said simply. Yeah, he doesn’t like the fact that Peter took over so soon, and he isn’t so sure about some decisions that Peter made regarding the company but Peter stepped up. He did so when Pepper had a lot on her plate, and he will never forget that. 

“You should listen to him if you want Vision back.  For almost six months now, the Stark Industries have been fighting legally with Ross over the remains of his body, because he technically is the property of SI. And as Stark established many years ago, Stark tech is his own. We can try to fix Vision, restore him without the mind stone and let him on his merry way.” Michelle spoke. Maximoff turned to face her, with red eyes. “He isn’t anyone’s property.” 

“He was made in a lab, with Stark tech, with Bruce’s help, with Thor’s thunder. He is. You don’t have to like it, but as long as we call him a Stark property, we have a chance at bringing him back. I’d put the magic away, otherwise it could get ugly here.” Tony actually turned to Ned from surprise. He didn’t expect him to speak up at all. His hero worship was truly horrible. Wanda seemed surprised too, but her eyes stopped being red. Ned, in return, stared at her until she looked away. 

“As Peter said, he hates him a lot more than he hates you. You’re in, maybe fourth place on his hate list. You should do as he says, and let us do the talking once he’s focused on Peter. It has been five years, things have changed. People have changed.” Cindy spoke, her voice full of boredom. 

“This meeting will decide whether he takes you to the raft, or whether you’ll be able to move freely. I’d be extra nice to Peter, because whether you like it or not, he holds the most power in this room.” Freaking Osborn took Peter’s side. When Peter told him that SI and Oscorp are now partners, he fell to his knees. Literally. But then Peter assured him that Norman Osborn is dead™ and Tony felt a bit better. Only a bit. He doesn’t like it at all. He still hasn’t seen their projects together, because they’ve been managing the employees who got dusted and were left without a job. 

“You’re the spawn of Norman Osborn, like you have the place to talk about the raft. Where’s you daddy anyways?” Wilson sneered. “My father is dead. His punishment was more than most people expected, and he was one of them. We aren’t here to talk about that, though.” Osborn replied. Such a brat. 

“As Harry said, you should behave. I know that in the past Wakanda has been your refuge, but it won’t be this time. My brother isn’t the king anymore, he doesn’t have that kind of power to take you in. I wouldn’t allow it even if he had. Wakanda is in full partnership with Stark Industries, and is working with Oscorp right now, and is to sign full partnership in two months. You’re on your own now.” Shuri spoke with a deadpan stare. She scares Tony when she behaves like the queen she is. He likes her a lot more when she’s with her friends, all joking. 

He likes all of those kids when they aren’t so serious and scary. Even though he doesn’t know all of them very well, he began liking them the moment they told him the embarrassing stories from the past five years. 

“So we’re either sent to the raft or we work with you?” Barton asked. “What if I want to retire?” Ant-Man asked. “That will be discussed after you’re pardoned. We’re not sure of the aspects of it all. Maybe they’ll want you to be on house arrest, or doing some work outside of the Avengers. You guys won’t be present when that will be decided, because your presence could ‘scare’ and ‘intimidate’ some people. Peter and I are leading all things legal. Whether you like it or not, you’re in our care. Peter is leading it because he’s your leader, and I am doing this because I’m technically a legal representative from Stark Industries. Your lawyer is called Matt Murdock, and he’s never lost a case.” Michelle said, doing air quotes with her hands and rolling her eyes while doing so. 

“He is scheduled to arrive in fifteen minutes, but Ross always tries to catch us unprepared and he arrives early. So, get ready, act like you just got here and act confused about all of this.” Harley said, as he stood up and walked to Peter, he showed him his phone and Peter nodded. “Don’t take too long.” MJ said, as Cindy also stood up and winked at her. “I never do.” 

“Where are they going? Aren’t we all supposed to be here?” Rogers asked. “No. We like to crowd Ross. He’s more annoyed and gets angry sooner. When he’s angry he makes all the decisions we want him to make.”  Ned said, and Rogers nodded, a bit dazed. 

“Sir, Thaddeus Ross is on his way up.” Friday spoke through the silence. Peter walked back to his seat, letting Fury take over again. “I’d advise you to listen to these kids. They’re kids, but they stepped up when no one wanted to.” 

“Ah, my favorite criminals, all in one room.” Ross smiled as he stepped into the room. “The pleasure is all ours, sir.” Michelle said, already standing up and moving to Fury. “I’m sure of it, Miss Jones. Rogers, Stark, good to see you back on your feet.“

“It’s good to see you again, Ross.” Tony nodded his head. Ross sneered a little before he sat in Michelle’s place. “I don’t even know why you want these rogues back in the Avengers, Parker. You seem to be doing alright with the people you have.” Ross sneered full on now. 

“The more the merrier.” Peter shrugged. “Why do you even want them pardoned? Won’t Rogers here try to take over your position? Stark already took the SI back?” Ross smirked. “No, my dear. I didn’t.” Tony smiled at the man who frowned. “You should.” 

“Even if Rogers and Stark tried, the public wouldn't allow it, you know how much the people love us, right?” Peter said with his own smirk. “Right. But why should we make them free people again? They killed dozens of people, and they’re supposed to go free?” Ross said, as if it was bothering him. “Need we remind you that you allowed it to happen? You knew of Zemo, and you haven’t stopped them.” Ned asked, with furrowed brows. Damn those kids, they do their research. 

Ross glared at Ned. “Need we also remind you of the fact that saved the universe just weeks ago when they killed Thanos?” Michelle smiled sweetly at him. “They? They couldn’t even save a town, let alone the universe!” Ross shouted. “You should be thankful. I heard that the board was just about to vote you off, but the people who returned didn’t want you gone.” Michelle said, her voice at the edge of boredom as she spoke. Ross seemed even more angry now. “Those freaks deserve what is coming for them. For killing all those people.” 

“Let me pretend that you actually care about those deaths, and that you aren’t here just because you want them in the raft, making experiments on them. I propose a year of house arrest, six months of no hero stuff, and seven months doing something for the people you care so much about. Like community work.” Peter said, as he stood up. “You should listen, Ross. How good would it be in the public’s eyes that you pardoned the people that saved the universe? How thankful would they be that you allowed them to continue saving them. Plus, they would need to sign the new accords in order for full pardon.” Fury said, with a grin. 

Ross pretended to think about it. “What about Vision? You’ll stop trying to get him back?” 

“Vision is not the Avenger's business. He is Stark property and he will be back in Stark Industries.” Michelle glared at the man who sneered. “Shall I give him back?! He’s vires and steel. There’s nothing left of him.” Maximoff gasped, and Ross grinned. “That’s right. He’s nothing but a machine that’s getting cut up for spare parts.” It pained Tony’s heart to hear that. “He’s still my property. I want him back, and I will get him.” Tony said. “What would you need the corpse for? You don’t even own the SI anymore. If it’s anyone who has the right to fight me for the machine, it’s Parker.” Ross sneered. 

“The fact that he’s the owner of my company doesn’t mean that I will leave all of my properties in the hands that they don’t belong to!” Tony shouted. “Then why is your company in Parker’s hands?! While you were gone he went out of his way to destroy your dumb legacy. Partnering with Oscorp?! That’s some real bullshit.” Ross shouted back. Tony was about to get whiplash. Just a second ago, Ross was talking about the fact that Peter has the claim on Vision as the owner of SI, and now he has an issue with Peter being the owner?! Why the fuck would Ross care about his legacy. That’s so fucked up. Tony needs coffee. 

“Don’t speak about the stuff you don’t know about. Ross, need i remind you that you were working with my father? Us partnering the companies was our decision, and you have no say in it!” Osborn said with anger on his face. Clearly, their plan is not going well. “You’re getting side-tracked. We’re here to discuss Avengers stuff, not our companies.” Michelle sighed. “As Michelle said, Vision is under Stark Industries. This deal doesn’t have anything to do with him and his remains. Ross, I gave you the options, use them.” Peter said. Ross looked him up and down and then he glared at the other Avengers. “Why is Barnes here? Romanoff? They’re already pardoned. Where is Colonel Rhodes, and Keener with his little girlfriend? Shouldn't King T’challa be here?” He then asked. 

“Barnes and Romanoff are here to give them moral support. Rhodey is in DC, as you should already know. Harley and Cindy are currently in the med bay. You should already know that I’ve got an answer for everything. You can’t find anything wrong here.” Peter sighed deeply. “As for T’challa, he isn’t the king. Have you forgotten me already?” Shuri frowned sadly at Ross who cringed his face at her. 

“So, Ross, what next?” Peter asked as Ross looked around the room. He sneered at them all and picked his things up. “We will meet in two weeks!” Ross said as he left. 

“Fucking asshole. In the meantime, you’re staying in the Avengers’ tower. Natasha, please go with them and solve the living situations.” Peter said, and Natasha nodded to the surprise of the others. 

“We’ll give you answers after the meeting with Ross.” Michelle added as they hesitated to stand. “Look, we will have to figure this shit out. Whether you like it or not, this issue has to be resolved.” Ned said as he stood up. “I’m already behind schedule just because of this two hour meeting. The last time we meet so early, or I'm leaving, I swear to Thor.” Gwen grumbled “Where is Thor anyways? And Bruce?” Tony asked, only now noticing that they’re not present. 

“They went to the vet with Bean.” Shuri replied with a grin. Then, Harley and Cindy returned. “Aww, we missed him Cin,” Harley whined. “I told you to hurry up.” Cindy rolled her eyes. “Right, meeting dismissed.” Fury sighed. 

Weird as fuck. Since when did he let someone take over. Since when the fuck did Fury look so tired. 

Tony is so weirded out. 

Chapter Text

“So we are stealing Vision back?” Ned asked his friends. It’s currently three in the morning, and all of them, sans Shuri, are in Peter’s living room. “Fuck yeah. Me and Cindy snuck into their facility when Ross was here, they really cut him up. Poor dude is all vires now.” Harley nodded his head from his spot on the couch. 

“There’s a gala scheduled next week on friday. We invite all of the state senators, invite Ross. I stalked their working time, there’s no one in the facility where they have his body from twelve to half past one.” MJ said while Peter patted her head. “We pick three people to do it, and the rest will entertain Ross.” 

“I can convince Felicia to do it.” Harry said from the floor. On call with said Felicia. “Fuck yeah.” Felicia shouted from the call. “So, Felicia and?” 

“I can do it. Hardly a challenge for us spidey people to be sneaky. Plus, I’ve got super strength so I can carry the fake.” Cindy shrugged. “You don’t have to carry it. I'll open a portal and you can just pick it and put it in Vision’s place while we take Vision. I’ll also erase your presence with the cameras.” Ned said with a grin. 

“You’ll have to be at the gala though, because all of the company heads are required to be there.” Harry frowned. “I can excuse myself for like ten minutes. And I will have FRIDAY working on erasing the camera footage of them.” Ned shrugged. 

Gwen leaned back in her chair, tapping a finger on her chin as he thought. "Alright, so we’ve got Vision’s body, we’ve got a plan to swap him out, and the timing's all set. The only thing we need is to make sure Ross doesn't notice anything weird when we make the switch."

Peter nodded. "And we need to keep him distracted long enough for everything to go down. MJ, are you sure you can keep Ross occupied for the whole gala?"

MJ smirked, glancing up at Peter. "Please, I can keep Ross distracted for hours. If I have to talk about corporate mergers or government contracts, I’ll have him bored out of his mind in ten minutes."

Harley snorted from the couch. "I’d love to see that. Ross, looking miserable while MJ talks about anything to do with Stark Industries. You’ll have him begging to be sent to the Raft just to get out of it."

Peter chuckled, but his mind was still on the task at hand. "Alright, so we’ve got the gala down, the timing, and our team. But Vision’s body—how do we even carry him out? They’ve got it in some top-sec facility, right?"

Cindy shrugged, her usual nonchalance back in full swing. "Don’t worry about that. I’ve got you covered. Ned will just open a portal and I can pop Vision out like a piece of luggage."

Harry raised an eyebrow. "That’s a lot of responsibility, Cindy. Are you sure you can manage it all while staying invisible to security?"

She smirked. "Yeah. I’ll make sure they don’t see a thing. You don’t have to worry about that." She turned to Ned. "And I’ll follow your lead on the cameras, of course."

Ned, looking way too pleased with himself, grinned back. "You know me, Cindy. I’ve got FRIDAY on speed dial. She’ll make sure the footage never even existed."

Felicia, still on speakerphone, interrupted. "So wait—what’s the plan for me ? I’m assuming I’m the one in charge of ‘getting in and out’ of this place, right?"

Harry laughed. "Yeah, you’re on stealth duty, Felicia. You sneak in, get Vision’s body, and make sure it doesn’t get noticed. Simple, right?"

Felicia’s voice grew excited. "Hell yeah, simple! I’ll get in, get out, and be back to the gala with time to spare. I’m in. Just let me know when and where."

Ned leaned forward, making sure everyone was on the same page. "Okay, so, the roles are locked down. MJ and Peter will keep Ross distracted. Felicia and Cindy will handle the switch. We’ll have FRIDAY on cleanup duty, erasing any traces.”

Peter paced for a moment, his mind working through the details. "We’re going to need the absolute perfect timing here. If even one thing goes wrong, Ross could figure it out and we’ll be in deep. Everyone needs to be ready, and everything needs to go like clockwork."

MJ reached out, tapping his shoulder reassuringly. "It’s going to work. We’ve pulled off crazier stuff before. Peter and I will make sure Ross is too busy choking on his own self-importance to notice anything happening in the background.”

Harley grinned. “Yeah, I’d pay good money to see Ross squirm while you talk corporate strategy at him. That man barely knows how to spell ‘ethics,’ let alone listen to someone talk about them.”

MJ smirked. “Exactly the point. And while we’re keeping him entertained, Cindy and Felicia will handle the real work.”

Cindy gave a mock salute. “Vision extraction squad reporting for duty. I’ll keep security off our backs, stay invisible, and make sure everything goes smoothly.”

Felicia’s voice came through the speakerphone again, her tone dripping with confidence. “And I’ll handle the in-and-out like the pro I am. I’ve broken into harder places than whatever high-tech vault they’re keeping Vision in. Just give me the coordinates and consider it done.”

Ned raised his hand like a student in class. "Also, just want to throw this out there—but please let me be the one to deal with the tech stuff? No one else really understands the cameras and the footage quite like I do." His grin stretched wider. "I mean, I could say 'you’re welcome' now, but I’ll wait until everything’s done."

"Alright, Ned," Peter said, giving him a nod. "You get the tech. But no getting distracted by random cat videos or something. We need full focus."

Harley, still lounging on the couch, laughed. "As if Ned could ever stay focused on one thing. I’m just here for the chaos when things go off the rails."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Harley," Peter replied dryly, giving him a playful shove.

Felicia’s voice crackled from the phone. "Alright, team. Let’s make this happen. I’m in. And when I say I’m in, I mean it—nobody’s stopping me from getting Vision back."

“Well, now that we’ve established that. Can y'all leave? It’s like three in the morning. You have your own floor.” MJ rolled her eyes at them from her spot besides Peter. Or, more like on Peter since she was curled into his side with her head on his shoulder. “Boo. The power couple wants to make evil plans.” Harley said, and Peter threw a pillow at him. 

“This reminds me. MJ, why did you say that they killed Thanos? Carol wiped the floor with him. None of them came close. Not one of them was in close proximity with him.” Gwen frowned at her. “But he doesn’t know that. Neither does the public. They will, of course, but they will learn of it too late.” MJ smiled. “You’re kinda scary.” Harley told her. She threw a pillow at him. “Oh my God, stop throwing pillows at me!” Harley screamed. “Then leave!” MJ screamed back. 

“Oh my fucking god. I’m leaving. You won’t see me anymore.” Harley stood up. “Lights out for me too.” Cindy murmured and left after Harley. “Awkward.” Peter said. “Um. Goodnight.” Gwen said and left too, glancing at Ned and then looking straight ahead. 

“That’s awkward, Peter. Not two of our friends hooking up and us pretending to not know.” Ned said as he stood up and left. “Damn.” Felicia said as Harry stood from the floor. “Goodnight my amazing friends, have fun creating a mini Parker-Jones to terrorize the world!” 

“They’re so fucking weird.” MJ said and Peter smiled, before kissing her head. 

Later that week, their plan was in motion. From early morning, Tony complained about having to attend a gala even after he came back from the dead, and then he got real quiet once he saw how tired MJ and Peter were. 

Their only luck was that their schools gave them a few free weeks to get their shit together. Everyone has to get their shit together. With almost two weeks since everyone came back, the world was still adjusting. 

“I will literally cry if this evening doesn't go as planned.” Peter said with a sigh. “Yeah, well, I'm self-destructing  if this doesn't work.” Harley murmured next to him with a sigh. 

“No talk of suicide in front of the press.” MJ warned Harley as she strolled past with Pepper on her side. Peter smiled at them both as Harley frowned. “You think they’re doing okay?”  “Yes, they are. This isn’t the first time they’re doing this. I know you’re worried, but it’s okay. We gotta sweet talk these people. Go do a round, you should socialize as the head of the R&D department.” Peter said as he took a champagne glass from a waiter walking by them. Harley groaned, but still left. 

As Peter looked around, he could see Tony talking animatedly with some people. Pepper was with Natasha, speaking with some women in a corner. Gwen and Ned were close to the exit, where Ned can leave at any time. Peter then spotted their target,

“He’s all yours,” Peter said, glancing at MJ.

“Noted.” MJ patted his shoulder before making a beeline toward Ross, who was already scowling at her approach. Peter followed, plastering on the most charming smile he could manage.

Meanwhile, Cindy crouched in the shadows outside the top-security facility, her suit’s cloaking tech activated. “Alright, I’m in position,” she whispered, pressing a finger to her comms.

“Copy that,” Ned replied, sitting in Peter’s office. “Cameras are looping now. You’re clear to move.”

Cindy slipped through the entrance with practiced ease, the cloaking tech rendering her invisible to the two guards stationed nearby. “Piece of cake,” she muttered, ducking into a hallway.

“Don’t jinx it,” Ned warned.

On the other side of the facility, Felicia was scaling the exterior wall with cat-like precision, her black suit blending perfectly into the night. “Cindy, where’s my entry point?” she asked, her voice a low purr over the comms. Pun wasn't intended. She literally purred.

“Third window on the left, second floor,” Cindy replied.

Felicia reached the window in seconds, pulling a small device from her belt. With a soft click , the lock disengaged, and she slipped inside. “I’m in. Heading toward the vault now.”

Back at the gala, MJ was in the middle of a verbal sparring match with Ross, her tone sharp but laced with just enough charm to keep him engaged.

“...and that’s why Stark Industries remains the leading name in clean energy innovation,” she concluded, flashing a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

Ross looked like he’d rather be anywhere else. “Fascinating,” he muttered, clearly not paying attention.

Peter leaned in, his voice low but firm. “You know, General, it’s funny how much people underestimate us. They think we’re all flash and no substance. But when it comes to getting the job done...” He let the sentence hang, his tone deliberately ominous.

Ross’s eyes flicked to Peter, his frown deepening. “Is that supposed to mean something?”

Peter just smiled, keeping the general on edge.

“Alright, Felicia, you’re up,” Ned said, his fingers flying over his keyboard. “The vault is secured by a biometric lock, but I’ve got a workaround. Just place the scanner I sent with you over the keypad.”

Felicia approached the heavy, reinforced door, pulling out the small scanner. “You better not be bluffing, Ned,” she muttered, placing it against the lock.

The scanner lit up, and after a tense moment, the lock disengaged with a soft beep . “Told you I’ve got this,” Ned replied smugly.

Inside the vault, Vision’s body lay on a raised platform, pristine and lifeless. Felicia let out a low whistle. “Well, hello there, handsome.”

“Focus, Felicia,” Cindy hissed over the comms.

Felicia rolled her eyes, carefully lifting Vision’s body. “Relax. Ned, you can come through.”

Ned checked the cameras from the outside, and cursed. “Guys, you’ve got movement,” he said, his voice tense. “Looks like an unscheduled patrol is heading your way, Cindy.”

“I see them,” Cindy replied, ducking into a corner as two guards passed by. Her cloaking tech flickered briefly but held steady.

“Just stay still,” Ned said, his voice steady. “They’ll be gone in thirty seconds.”

Cindy’s heart pounded as one of the guards paused, glancing in her direction. For a moment, it felt like he could see right through her cloak. But then he shrugged and moved on.

“Too close,” she muttered, slipping back into the shadows.

At the gala, Peter’s comm buzzed softly in his ear. Felicia’s voice came through. “Got the package. Heading out now.”

Peter resisted the urge to visibly react, keeping his attention on Ross. “Well, General, it’s been a pleasure, but I think it’s time we mingle. Enjoy the party.”

MJ placed a hand on Ross’s arm, her smile razor-sharp. “Don’t forget to try the canapés. They’re almost as rich as Stark’s technology.”

Ross glared at them as they walked away, clearly suspicious but unable to act without looking paranoid.

Felicia and Cindy met up at the extraction point, Vision’s body secured in a specially designed container. “Let’s get out of here,” Cindy said, and Ned opened the portal to Peter’s office,

The two women stepped through, emerging into the office. Ned grinned as he pulled away from his computer. “Nice work, ladies. Now let’s hope Peter and MJ can keep the general from sniffing this out.”

Back at the gala, MJ and Peter regrouped with their team, their smiles unshakable as they pretended nothing was amiss.

“Everything went according to plan,” Ned said quietly through their comms.

Peter exhaled, finally allowing himself to relax. “Good. Let’s finish up here and get out before anyone starts asking questions.”

MJ raised her glass in a mock toast. “To pulling off the impossible.”

Peter clinked his glass against hers. “And to not getting caught.”

Later that night, or rather early in the morning, Peter slipped from MJ's hold, showered, and then he went up to his office. The building was empty, besides the people that actually lived there. He isn't sure if Harry also stayed over, or whether Gwen and Ned are there too. 

A little more than half an hour later, he was interrupted by Karen again. “Miss Romanoff is requesting that I allow her in.” Peter sighed, but nodded. The elevator opened up just as Peter took a long sip from his coffee. 

“Good morning, Peter.” Natasha murmured. “Hi, Nat. How are you?” Peter asked just as quietly. Natasha seemed badly ever since he got her back, and it broke Peter’s heart every time he looked at her. 

“Shitty. There's a lot of stuff on my mind.” She replied, leaning back into the chair she occupied. “I could tell. Maybe you'd like to share some stuff?” Peter nodded his head as he looked from Natasha's face back to his papers. He learned a long time ago that Natasha speaks of emotional stuff better when he's not looking at her face. 

“I had a sister.” Peter couldn't help himself but look at her again. “She's still alive. I just don't feel like I've been the best sister out there. Like, I died. I literally died, Peter, and shit is not going to be the same anymore.” her voice cracked a bit, and Peter almost froze, because this is the first time that she's ever shown this much emotion to him. 

“You want to see her again?”  

“You remember how I told you that I took down the Black Widows? I didn't. I thought I did, but it's still going on. I need to leave for a little bit, and I need you to cover for me. Please.” Natasha said. She avoided eye contact, and Peter nodded his head. 

“You know I would do anything for you. If you need any help, please tell me. I won't hesitate, you know that. I don't care what Ross or some other bullshit senator thinks. I'm so done with them trying to control us.” Peter said, and Natasha chuckled. “I know, Peter. Thank you. I didn't say that earlier, but thank you. You got me a second chance at life. You're the best little brother I could ask for.” Natasha shared the unusual smile of hers, and Peter melted. 

“You can take my jet, and anything you need.” He said, and she nodded, standing up. “Take care, Natasha.” She waved goodbye as she left. 

Peter ran his hands over his face and then he sighed. The time travel heist bullshit was a shit show on its own. He'd sent Natasha and Gwen for the Soul stone, and only Gwen returned. She was heartbroken, sobbing her heart out. Nat didn't deserve that, and Gwen wouldn't deserve it either. 

So once the fight with Thanos was done, and Peter was returning the stones, he bargained with the protector of the soul stone. It felt like he'd spent months there, just begging the man to let Nat go. 

She was his sister, she took care of him. She was the one that helped him with training, she was the one who persuaded Ross to leave him alone, she was the one who fought Nick Fury because he didn't want Peter in power, and she was the one who hesitated the most when they brought the idea to him. 

When Ant-Man and Bucky came with her, and he sent them away just because of the fact that they dared to even bring it up, she stayed. She held him as he cried about the fact that five years had passed and people still had hope, and she told him that he doesn't have to do it. His life was alright, he didn't need to do it just because others told him to. 

Natasha was the first one, apart from his family who was with him when he figured out time travel, who got a call about it. 

And when Gwen returned alone, he regretted even thinking about the fact that he could bring everyone back. 

Then he did it. They all did. And now he's dealing with the aftermath.

Chapter Text

Tony was still processing all of this.

The unfamiliar faces, the ones he thought he knew, acting like they were all still moving forward without him.

It was like a cruel joke being played on him. He was stuck in time, while everyone else had adjusted, moved on, and found new versions of themselves. Peter, even Pepper.  All of them seemed to be fitting into a world where he wasn’t sure where he belonged anymore.

There was dust on his equipment in his lab. Dust everywhere, except his table that held blueprints for every suit he ever made. There was dust on his couch, his screws, his scrap pieces. His suits. There was dust everywhere. 

It seemed like they forgot him, never opened the lab and just put his death in the back of their minds. Even now it seemed like it. In the last three weeks that he was back, he only saw Peter four times. Once in the hospital. Second time in the meeting with Ross. Third time they had dinner with everyone. Fourth time he saw him at the gala that Peter’s girlfriend organized. 

Morgan forgot that he’s real. He had to explain and beg her to trust him that he’s real, that he’s there. She didn’t often believe him. But she did talk about her therapist and their ways to keep her calm. His five year old needs a therapist. What had happened to make her need one? He doesn’t know. 

He doesn’t know anything. For the fact that he’s one of the smartest men alive, he feels so stupid. 

Five years is a lot of time lost. 

Tony signed deeply and left his lab. He went back to the penthouse. Pepper was there with one of the girls, Grace or something. 

“– And it's really stupid. Like. I'm almost twenty three. I can date whoever I want. This is so weird, and useless. I get that he was gone, but come on.” The blonde girl groaned into his pillow. 

He walked up to them and sat next to Pepper who took his hand almost on instinct. “Who was gone?” He asked. “My father. Now he's back and he's weird about me dating Ned.” Tony didn't know that they're dating, but again, he doesn't know anything. 

“That’s sad.” Tony nodded his head and Gwen groaned more. “Ugh, i have to attend some stupid meeting now. Oscorp and SI are such a pain in my ass sometimes. I have to drive to Oscorp.” 

“What meeting?” Pepper asked.

“With, um, I think his name was Octavius or something. Peter and Harry are trying to buy his company to use as a home base for their shared department.” Tony furrowed his brows. 

Shared department? 

Tony thought that they’re partners in some financial stuff, not that they’re making stuff together. It feels weirdly like a huge betrayal from Peter, him having Stark Industries partner with Osborn and Oscorp. 

“Why do you have to be there?” Tony asked her. He knew that they all have some roles in the two companies, but he didn’t really remember which or who even works in the Stark Industries. 

“I am the head of Research and Development. I oversee the interns and their directors, and basically do biology and various experiments.” Gianna explained shortly. Damn. Experiments? Maybe that’s how she got her powers. Tony didn’t like it much, but he was smart enough to know that he doesn’t have a say in anything anymore. 

“Anyways, if you wanna know more, I suggest MJ. She has all of the structures literally memorized.” 

He squeezed Pepper’s hand, needing her grounding presence.

“I’ll talk to MJ later,” Tony mumbled. He looked at the blonde girl who was looking at him with a knowing look. "Look, I can't imagine how weird this is for you, but you should ask Peter about this stuff with Oscorp." she sighed deeply. "Do you think Peter really partnered with Oscorp because of some kind of vision he had? Or is it something else?” His voice was sharp, a tinge of that old, protective instinct creeping back in. He couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that Peter, of all people, should’ve known better. Peter was Spider-Man, he could literally feel when things were about to go bad, but what if they failed him that one time? What if Peter made a mistake because Tony wasn’t there to stop him, to help him find the right way. He also knew Peter could be easily swayed, especially when it came to people he trusted and cared about. Harry Osborn seemed to be one of those people/ 

Pepper sighed, rubbing his hand. “Tony, I know you’re confused right now, but you’re still here. You have the right to question things. Just give them a chance to explain.”

Tony let out a short laugh, a little too bitter for comfort. “If only it were that easy, Pepper. If only I could just ‘give them a chance’ and feel like everything’s fine.” He looked at her, searching for some reassurance. “What if it’s not? What if they’re all just going through the motions ? I don’t know how to be a part of this anymore.”

There was a long silence, and for a second, it felt like everything in the room was weighing down on him. But then, Grace shifted her position, looking at him as if she saw something other than the man who had been lost for five years.

“You know, you’re not just some stranger here, Tony,” she said quietly. “You have a place. But… sometimes it takes time to find it again. I know that we don’t know each other, but you’re Peter’s family. That means you’re ours too.”

Tony stared at her, surprised by the rawness in her voice. For a moment, it was like hearing something that wasn’t just for him, but for everyone he had left behind. Maybe he was right to be so uncertain. Maybe everything had changed but maybe there was still a way to fit in.

“You think so?” Tony asked, almost hopeful.

Gianna gave a small nod before standing. “I’m off to that meeting, but… maybe we’ll talk later. It’s weird to be back, huh?”

Tony stood as well, giving her a half-smile. “Yeah, weird’s one way to put it.”

Pepper squeezed his hand again. “Tony, you’ll figure this out. You always do.”

It was hard to believe her, but he had to try. He had to, for himself and for the people still in his life.

Tony stood there, feeling the weight of the conversation hanging in the air. Grace left for her meeting, and the penthouse felt even emptier. Pepper gave him one last look, a mixture of concern and love, before she, too, turned back to her work. He didn’t even know what work she does now, with the kids taking over everything. 

Tony, however, couldn’t focus. His mind was racing with questions. Was Peter truly in deep with Oscorp? What was happening behind the scenes that he didn’t understand? Maybe he could talk to Peter himself—force him to confront this, demand some clarity. But Tony knew that approach wouldn’t work anymore. Peter was his own person now, and maybe, just maybe, Tony had lost that authority. Lost his son. 

He grabbed his phone, scrolling through the messages he’d missed, each one a reminder of how much he’d been out of the loop. His heart almost dropped when it came to Peter’s contact, his new one, because he had to get rid of his old phone. He still clicked on the contact, and typed out: 

“Could we talk later?”

Tony stared at the message for a while, his thumb hovering over the text. What did he even say? He was so used to being the mentor, the one with all the answers, and now, it felt like he was grasping at smoke.

“I’m here. Let’s talk. Soon.”

He hit send before he could second-guess himself. He needed to know what’s happening. He needed to hear it from Peter, to understand where his former protege's head was at.

The rest of the day passed in a blur. Tony couldn’t seem to focus on anything, his thoughts constantly drifting back to the lab. He found himself returning there once again, walking among the dusty equipment, the cold silence pressing in on him.

As he stood in front of his old suit designs—pieces of his legacy—it hit him: maybe this was his way back in. Not through brute force or authority, but through doing what he did best: creating. Innovating. Maybe if he could pour himself into his work again, he'd find his place in all this mess.

Then, his phone buzzed. Peter.

“Hey, Tony. I can be at your place in an hour. Is that okay?”

Tony didn’t hesitate. "Yeah, come by. We’ll figure this out."

An hour later, Peter showed up, looking a little more grown-up, a little less like the boy Tony used to know. His eyes were tired, but there was something about him that seemed determined. Something different, but Tony couldn’t put his finger on it.

"Peter," Tony said, motioning for him to sit.He didn't hesitate to fire the questions that had built up in his head.  "Tell me what’s going on. What’s with Oscorp? Why did that happen? How are MJ and Ned in power in this company? How did you become the head of Avengers? I need to know. I feel like I’m invisible to you people half of the time."

Peter rubbed the back of his neck. "It’s not what you think, Tony. It’s complicated. I know Osborn’s bad news. But Harry—he’s different. We’re not doing this for profit, or control, or anything like that. We’re building something bigger, something that could change the world, together."

Tony’s brow furrowed. "With Oscorp? That company’s a ticking time bomb. You really think teaming up with Osborn is the way to go?"

Peter leaned forward, earnest. "I trust him completely. If I don’t try, if I don’t act, then I’m just letting everything we’ve worked for fall apart. I’m trying to make something good come from this. And I need you to trust me on that."

Tony sat back, processing. His hands gripped the armrests of the chair, his mind running through the possibilities. Peter was stubborn, he always had been. But this? This wasn’t just stubbornness. This felt like something deeper. "You really believe that?" Tony asked quietly.

"I do," Peter said, his voice soft but firm.

There was a long silence as Tony stared at him, searching for any sign of doubt. But Peter was all in, and Tony could see that.

"I don’t like it, Pete," Tony said finally, exhaling a heavy breath. "But I’m not gonna tell you what to do. I’m not your father, even tough I try to. And I’m not the guy who can fix everything anymore. You’ve grown up, whether I was ready for it or not."

Peter gave a small, grateful smile. "I still need you, Tony. I always will."

Tony's heart twinged at that. Maybe he wasn’t as irrelevant as he felt. Maybe he could still make a difference, just not in the way he had imagined. The company is Peter’s now, anyways. 

"So, what’s up with the scary girl and Ted?" Tony asked. He was really curious about that, to be honest. What Nepotism couldn’t solve. 

“I know what you’re thinking. This isn’t some kind of nepotism thing. They worked their way up. MJ applied for an internship here to get some money for her uncle, the director of PR and HR loved her, so they took her. She worked her way up, from being an intern, to a regular worker, then to a director, and then she took over as the head of both things like two months ago.” Peter explained, playing with a dusty screwdriver he found on the table. Tony glanced from Peter’s hands to his eyes, to find them screwed on Tony’s shoes. 

“Ted did the same?” Tony asked. 

“Yes. You can ask anyone. The only Nepo baby here is Harley, and that’s because you wrote him in your will, just as you wrote me in.” Peter snorted a little. 

“Why is Morgan going to therapy?” Tony blurted out. Peter cringed and then he took a breath. “She forgets stuff sometimes. It’s like a coping mechanism of some sort. She developed it some years ago, when I left for MIT. She thought I left her–" 

"Like I did.” Tony lets out a breath and tears up almost instantly. “She gets confused about her feelings, she puts them in the back of her mind and moves on. She forgot I left, and searched for me. It was hell figuring it out. Tons of doctors appointments, various psychiatrists. We found out, and got her a good therapist. One of the best in New York, and Morgan likes her a lot. She’s actually excited when she goes to sessions with her.”  

Tony’s heart stuttered in his chest. The words Peter had just spoken landed like bricks, heavy and painful. He stared at Peter, trying to process the sheer weight of what he’d just learned. Morgan, his daughter—the daughter he’d barely had a chance to raise, let alone get to know—had been struggling with something so much deeper than Tony had imagined.

Tony's eyes were wide, but his face felt numb, like he was hearing a story that wasn’t his own. His lips trembled as he tried to speak, but it was as though his voice had abandoned him. Finally, after what felt like an eternity of silence, he let out a long breath, one that was more of a shudder than anything else.

“She thought you left? Like I did.” His voice cracked, and his eyes burned with the sting of unshed tears. The thought of Morgan, his little girl, thinking he just abandoned her. It broke him. "Jesus, Peter. I never—" He shook his head, his chest tightening. "I never thought she’d feel that. I—"

He cut himself off, his hand gripping the edge of the table to steady himself. It was like a dam had burst in his mind, flooding him with guilt. The guilt of not being there. Of not knowing what was happening to her while he was gone. His daughter had been left to navigate all of this on her own, trying to understand why she didn't have her dad with her, why she didn’t have any memories of him.

Peter’s face softened, his gaze flickering with something close to empathy. He’d seen this side of Tony before, but it had always been buried underneath layers of bravado and sarcasm. This—this was raw. This was real.

“It wasn’t just you, Tony," Peter said, his voice quieter now, the words weighed down by the understanding he’d gained over the years. "It wasn’t like you just left her. You were dead. But Morgan, she didn’t understand that. It was too much for her. So, she made herself forget. She shut down, pushed it away, so it didn’t hurt as much. But it did, Tony. It hurt more than we even realized."

Tony wiped his face with the back of his hand, trying to clear the tears that were falling now, but they wouldn’t stop. "I—I didn’t even get to see her grow. I didn’t get to be there for her. And now I’m back, and she doesn’t know how to cope with that."

Peter took a step closer, his voice firm. "Tony, you fucking died. We never thought you’d be back. We never thought that Scott Lang would have a crazy idea and that I'd listen to him. We didn't know, and we told her you’d never be back. Neither of us made a mistake. But you’re back now. And Morgan—she’s still working through it, but she wants to work through it. She’s going to get better, Tony. And you’re here now, and that matters."

"But it doesn’t fix anything," Tony whispered, his voice trembling. "It doesn’t fix what I missed."

Peter hesitated before speaking again, clearly choosing his words carefully. "No, it doesn’t fix the past. But you can be there now. And you can help her. You’re still her father, Tony. You still have a chance to make up for what’s been lost." He paused, then added, softer: "Maybe not everything, but enough to start."

The weight of Peter’s words hit Tony harder than anything else. Enough to start. That was the thing he hadn’t known. He’d been so caught up in the anger and the confusion, so focused on the pain of being forgotten, that he hadn’t realized there was a path forward. He didn’t have to be perfect, didn’t have to fix everything. He just had to be there.

"I don’t know if I’m strong enough to do this," Tony murmured, his shoulders sagging with the enormity of what was ahead. "What if I screw it up again? What if I make things worse for her?"

Peter reached out, placing a hand on Tony’s shoulder. "You don’t have to be perfect, Tony. Just… show up. That’s all she needs from you right now."

Tony closed his eyes, swallowing hard. Hearing Peter’s words, seeing the quiet understanding in his eyes, made it seem just a little bit less impossible.

"I’m so sorry," Tony said, his voice breaking again. "I never wanted her to feel like that. I never wanted you to feel like I abandoned you. I don’t—" He choked on the words, barely able to finish the sentence. "I don’t even know how to make up for that."

Peter gave a small, almost sad smile. "You don’t have to make up for anything, Tony. You just need to be there. That’s the part you can control now."

Tony took a shaky breath, trying to steady himself, but the tears wouldn’t stop. He thought about Morgan—his little girl—and the pain she must’ve felt, the confusion of it all. And then, slowly, in the quiet of that moment, he realized that maybe it wasn’t too late. Maybe, just maybe, he could still be the father she deserved. 

He wasn’t sure how, or when, or if he could ever be what she needed, but for the first time in a long time, Tony Stark had a sliver of hope. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to keep moving forward.

Chapter Text

The sleek, ultra-modern conference room at Oscorp had an air of corporate sterility. The polished glass walls and angular design seemed to speak volumes about the cold, impersonal nature of the company, nothing like Peter had hoped for when he walked in here with Harry, Gwen, and MJ. It was so different from Stark Industries. SI was live and full of noise and random explosions, Oscorp had been quiet, with people so old Peter felt like a newborn. Harry agreed, and he’s been working on opening new interning programs. It’s a slow process. 

Olivia Octavius, daughter of the famed Dr. Otto Octavius, stood at the head of the table with her arms crossed, giving each of them a steady, assessing look. She was confident, almost too confident, and far more business-minded than Peter had expected.

Peter leaned forward, trying to keep his voice light. “Thanks for meeting with us, Miss Octavius. We know you’ve got a lot on your plate, so we’ll keep it simple.”

Olivia didn’t reply immediately. She merely sat back in her chair, her sharp eyes flicking to each of them with an almost bored expression. MJ, sitting next to Peter, gave him a subtle look, one that said, this is going to be tougher than we thought .

“We’ve been looking at your company,” Peter continued, “and we believe it’s got huge potential. Not just the financial side, but—”

“I’m not interested in your spiel, Parker.” Lila interrupted, her voice cutting through his words. “I didn’t come here to be sold something.”

Harry, who had been quietly observing, leaned in slightly, his brow furrowing. “But  this isn’t just about selling something. We’re talking about a partnership, a chance to collaborate, and bring something new into the world. Your father built something that could change everything. You could fix your father’s legacy.”

Olivia’s gaze shifted to Harry, her eyes cold. “And my father built this company to help people too. He failed. It is a legacy of mistakes. And I’m not carrying that forward. I don’t want to work with either of you,” she said bluntly, “I want to sell this company and move on.”

The words hit Peter like a punch to the gut. Sell Octavius Industries? Just like that? He had been prepared for a difficult negotiation, but not this. Not this kind of rejection. He glanced at Gwen, who seemed unfazed but her expression was carefully neutral.

“Miss Octavius, you can’t be serious,” Gwen finally spoke up, her voice calm but insistent. “You’re just going to throw away everything your father worked for? You can’t sell it off to just anyone. There’s a responsibility here. What about the projects? The technology? The research?”

Olivia’s lips curled into a tight smile, but there was no warmth behind it. “That’s the point, Stacy. I don’t care about the research, the projects, or the technology. I care about getting out from under this company’s shadow. It has been nothing but a burden, a constant reminder of everything my father failed to accomplish. I’m done with it.”

Peter blinked, processing what she was saying. It wasn’t just business for Olivia—it was personal. Her father's legacy was a weight she seemed desperate to escape from, and here he was, offering to keep it alive in a way that might mean even more pain for her. She wasn’t looking for solutions. She wasn’t looking for anything except closure.

“You’re throwing away a chance to actually make something good come from all this,” Peter said, his voice tinged with frustration, though he tried to keep it even. “You can’t just erase everything your dad built.”

Her eyes met his, and there was an icy calm to her response. “You don’t get it, I don’t want to erase it. I want to sell it off, get it out of my life completely, and move on. Maybe someone else can make it work, but I won’t. You won’t. It’s not yours to fix.”

MJ, sitting beside Harry, glanced at Peter, then at Olivia. “So that’s it? You’re just going to sell it to whoever offers the most money and be done with it? Do you even care who takes it over? What happens to the people involved?”

Olivia’s gaze flickered for a moment, a flash of doubt, maybe, but it disappeared just as quickly. “I’ve considered that, but at this point, I can’t afford to care. I’m the one who’s been left holding the bag. I’m the one who’s had to pick up the pieces after everything fell apart. It is nothing but a pile of shattered dreams, and I’m not in the business of resurrecting ghosts. I’ll sell it off and wash my hands of it.”

The silence that followed was thick with the weight of her words. Peter felt a deep ache in his chest, the kind of ache that came from seeing someone so determined to reject everything in front of them. He had thought that by offering a partnership, he could help her see the potential in Otto’s legacy, but Olivia  was stubborn, too stubborn to even consider it.

Harry broke the silence, his voice quieter now, but his tone still firm. “You’re making a mistake, Selling it off won’t fix anything. You’re running away from the opportunity to change it. To build something new. To make a better legacy that your father left behind.”

Olivia stood up, and the coldness in her demeanor was almost palpable. “Maybe that’s a mistake you’re willing to make, but not me. The Octavius line ends with me, and I’ll decide who gets it. Now, if you’re done, I have a meeting to get to.”

Without another word, she turned and walked out of the room, her heels clicking against the polished floor with finality.

Peter sat there, staring at the empty chair where she had just been, his mind racing. The future of their project, of all their plans. They were left in a room full of silent disappointment, with no clear path forward.

MJ sighed, clearly trying to process everything, but she shook her head. “Well, that was  unexpected.”

Harry ran a hand through his hair, looking at Peter. “I don’t get it, man. What are we going to do now? She’s not going to work with us. And selling it off that’s the worst thing she could do.”

Gwen leaned back in her chair, her eyes thoughtful. “It’s not over. She may be shutting us out for now, but we can still find another way in.” 

Peter’s heart sank as the weight of it all hit him. This wasn’t just about science or technology—it was personal for Olivia just as it was to him. And no matter how badly he wanted to make it work, she wasn’t ready to hear it.

His heart was aching at the memory of Otto, begging Peter to fix his legacy. To make his daughter proud. 

“She wants to sell it, so we will buy it.” MJ simply said. “Yes, but you do know that that company was famous. He left Oscorp and built a new company in under three years–” Harry began to talk, only to get interrupted by MJ. “And he lost it in three weeks.” 

“You guys are rich as fuck. This shouldn't be a problem for us,” Gwen sighed from her chair. Hary hummed and looked at Peter,  “I don't mind spending a few millions. What about you, partner?” Peter grinned, all of the bad feelings disappearing under a second. “Shall we call her back?” Gwen asked, and they nodded. 

Chapter Text

“Hello, old man and Pep.” Harley said as he sat on their couch. Tony side-eyed him. “Shouldn't you be working?” Pepper raised her perfect eyebrows. “It’s lunch.” Harley waved his hands at her leaning back. 

“It’s only ten. Harley, are you avoiding meetings again?” Pepper sighed and Tony snorted. “No, I mean that it’s lunch for me. I’ve been in the lab since four. I need to steal Mo’s PopTarts to feel alive again.” Harley grinned. 

“Damn, kiddo. What are you even doing in the lab?” Tony shook his head a little. “You could come check it out. You haven’t visited any labs anyway.” Harley shrugged. Tony blinked, and nodded. “What’s the project you’re working on with Osborn?” Tony asked after a second, and Harley snorted. 

“Two years ago Oscorp turned to medicine. Harry has been trying to turn it way sooner, but his father was still alive and annoying as fuck when it came to turning a new sleeve. Oscorp has been creating bandages that dissolve into your skin, making it more durable. No scars at all. It has some very hard bio equations that I tuned out once Peter and Harry started talking about it. Now, we’re trying to make prosthetics out of nanites. It’s a delicate process that’s been taking us months to figure out, and we have more issues with it.” Harley said and Pepper got up and went to the kitchen, only to return a second later with food in her hands.

“How did you even meet each other? It’s all so confusing.” Tony sighed as he ran a hand over his face. “Peter visited me in Tennessee after he found some of your files andyour will. I came with him to New York, met Ned and Michelle. Later, there was some trouble with Oscorp releasing the spiders that bit Peter. Cindy came to us, because she knew Peter is Spidey. We found Gwen fighting with Rhino. Harry turned his back on his father and told us where he released the spiders. We went into MIT together to get our Phd.’s  We got it a few months ago,” Harley explained. 

Tony blinked, processing the whirlwind of information. "Wait, you guys got your Ph.D. 's? All of you?" he asked, clearly impressed.

Harley gave a wry smile. "Yeah. Surprised? Not as surprised as Osborn when we made him fund our research though." He leaned back on the couch, looking amused by the memory. "We had to throw in some web-slinging and Spider-Man drama to sweeten the deal. Then he died. Still a win for us."

Pepper raised her eyebrows at him, clearly unimpressed by the nonchalance with which Harley mentioned their very unconventional academic journey. "And what exactly is it that you don't do in your free time? I mean, saving the world and getting Phds is one thing, but stealing Pop-Tarts from your sister?" she said, as if the whole situation was a little too chaotic for her taste.

"Hey, a man's gotta have priorities," Harley defended, popping a Pop-Tart into his mouth with a grin. "You wouldn't believe how hard it is to get a solid meal in the lab when your experiments take over your life."

Tony shook his head, muttering to himself about needing to get his own lab back in shape. "What you guys have going on over there with Oscorp sounds like it could actually change the game. Nanite prosthetics, huh? That's some next-level stuff."

Harley looked a little sheepish. "It's complicated. We've hit some pretty big roadblocks. Like, figuring out how to make the nanites not reject the body is a nightmare." He rolled his eyes dramatically. "We’ve got enough problems to make a whole new list of 'what could possibly go wrong'."

Pepper glanced over at Tony, who looked deep in thought. "Well, uh, just, uh, try not to blow anything up."

"Right, no promises," Harley replied, before leaning to the front with a grin. "You should come with me back down. I’ve got a few hours before Peter leaves, and I’m stuck in his office.” Tony smiled, and nodded. “What’s with Peter leaving?” Pepper asked. 

“The meeting with Ross. He and MJ were awake the whole night planning it. We’ve had like a hundred texts from them last night, all very confusing. MJ at one time even asked us for a pizza. I think she confused our chat with doordash or something.” Harley snorted. 

“MJ? What’s she got to do with it?” Tony asked. As far as he knew, Michelle had been the head of public and human resources. “I don’t think anybody told you what our roles are, right?” Harley glanced at Pepper. 

“Michelle has many roles in this company. She is the strategic advisor, head of public relations with Avengers and SI. She’s like a bridge between the hero world and our company. Various hero groups reach out to her if they need help with something legal, or if they need help with anything.” Tony raised an eyebrow at that, clearly surprised. "Wait, wait. Michelle? Strategic advisor ? Since when?" He shook his head, trying to wrap his brain around this new development.  "I always thought she was just, you know, being the scary girl with Peter, not running the show behind the scenes."

Pepper leaned back a bit, her arms crossed, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "It’s been a while now, actually. Michelle's been handling PR for both the Avengers and Stark Industries for a little over a year. It started as a way to manage some of the chaos surrounding the team's public image, but, she turned out to be pretty brilliant at it. She sees things from a completely different angle than most people. She gets the superhero world in a way we don’t."

Harley smirked, clearly entertained by Tony’s confusion. "Yeah, she’s got more layers than I thought. She’s a huge reason the Avengers are still managing to keep a low profile. And if you haven’t noticed, she’s been keeping things together when Peter gets wrapped up in all his web-slinging messes."

Tony scratched his chin, still processing it. “So, wait. She’s juggling PR, legal stuff, and strategy? All while keeping the Avengers from becoming a PR nightmare?” He paused, looking impressed despite himself. “I mean, I guess that does explain the pizza request. Probably needed a break from all the chaos."

Pepper chuckled. "Exactly. She does everything from handling media inquiries about Spider-Man to negotiating with government officials when the team’s being targeted. And she has a special way of getting people to listen without throwing punches. But let’s be real—she can be just as sneaky as anyone when needed. That’s why when Peter and MJ are planning something big, she’s usually at the center of it all."

Harley nodded. "And don’t forget, when things get messy in the superhero world, she’s the one holding everything together. We’ve been running a lot of covert operations through her, especially with Ross breathing down everyone’s neck."

Tony raised an eyebrow. "Ross?"

"Yep." Harley shrugged, glancing over at Pepper. "They got some crazy idea when you guys were still in the medical after we came back from the– shit with Thanos. We tried asking, but Peter shut us down real quick. The less people know about it, the better. Ross has a way of talking and manipulating the words out of your mouth before you even notice it. He’s changed a lot in the first year after the blip. He had Peter sent to the raft, but he gave him up real quick. We still don’t know the reason why he let Peter out, but we don't try to think about it too hard. Might jinx ourselves.”

“The Raft? What the hell. How long was he in for?” Tony asked, with shock evident on his face. His heart broke at every mention of the stuff that happened in the last five years he was gone, and he felt so damn guilty for it. Maybe if he was there with them, it wouldn’t have happened. 

“Two weeks. Ross then didn’t show his face for two months. He was too scared.” Pepper spoke quietly. Harley cringed, and straightened up. “Anyways. I’ve eaten, and I have to go back into the lab. Tony, you could join me if you want?” Tony nodded, still a bit dazed. 

Tony rubbed the back of his neck, trying to process everything Harley had said. "Two weeks in the Raft? Peter, damn." He shook his head, still grappling with the shock. He could barely imagine the kind of stress Peter must have gone through in those two weeks, not knowing when, or if he'd get out.

“Yeah,” Harley continued, standing up from the table. “It was well, it wasn’t ideal. But Peter’s tough. He bounced back pretty quick, considering. Guess that’s one thing Ross didn’t count on.” He grabbed his plate, quickly shoving it to the side before moving toward the lab door. “Come on, Tony. You wanted to see what I’ve been working on, right?”

Tony shook himself out of his daze, offering a small, albeit forced, smile. "Lead the way, kid."

As he followed Harley, Tony's mind kept drifting back to what Pepper said two months of nothing from Ross, and the strange fact that he’d let Peter go. Too many unanswered questions, but Tony was quickly learning that wasn’t unusual in their world anymore.

“So, we will stop by the interns working on another version of the bandage that Harry created. They’re trying to make ones that have something colorful on them for kids without harming the skin and blood cells. Considering the fact that I have not one idea about bioengineering, I've been able to keep up with them. Then they started talking in terms.” Harley frowned. 

“Shouldn’t Peter be overseeing this, then?” Tony asked. His head was starting to hurt from all the information he got in such a short time. “He should, but I’m covering for him today and tomorrow, because of the back-to-back meetings he has. I have no problem doing this, as long as he doesn’t leave me the paperwork again.” Harley chuckled. 

“Understandable. I hated doing paperwork. That’s why I left it all to my PA. Does Peter have one?” 

“Nah. He doesn’t want one.” Harley said and they stepped out of the elevator into a lab. Several people were running around a guy who looked very pale. “Oh my god. Did you test it on yourself again? This is not how we do this!” Harley shouted. He walked to the guy who was grinning. 

“I’m okay, sir. I got Spider-Man a bandage!”

Tony blinked, watching the scene unfold with a mix of amusement and concern. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” he muttered under his breath, stepping into the lab behind Harley. The pale guy, clearly an overzealous intern looked like he was one experiment away from passing out entirely, but his grin was unwavering.

Harley, rubbing his temples in frustration, gestured toward a nearby stool. “Sit down before you faceplant. Seriously, I’m not filling out the incident report if you keel over.”

The intern plopped down obediently, still grinning as he held up a colorful bandage with a Spider-Man logo on it. “It works perfectly! Adhesion tests were solid, no skin irritation, and—”

“ You tested it,” Harley interrupted, crossing his arms. “On yourself . Which is not protocol. We test on synthetic skin models first. What were you thinking?”

“I wanted to speed up the process!” the intern said, looking sheepish but proud. “Besides, if we’re making these for kids, someone needed to see if they really work in the real world.”

Tony snorted. “Kid’s got spirit. Poor judgment, but spirit.”

Harley shot him a look. “Not helping.”

Tony raised his hands defensively. “Hey, just saying. At least he’s enthusiastic.”

The intern brightened at that, but Harley quickly shut it down. “Yeah, great. Enthusiasm doesn’t get you out of following safety protocols. Next time you try something like this without approval, you’re off the project. Got it?”

The intern nodded vigorously, clearly realizing he’d pushed his luck.

Tony stepped closer to inspect the bandage, raising an eyebrow. “Okay, but I’ve got to admit, this is pretty cool.” He held it up to the light, examining the vibrant Spider-Man design. “You’re telling me this thing doesn’t just stick—it actually heals?”

“Accelerates the process,” Harley corrected. “Harry’s original version had a clotting agent and a nanoscale healing mechanism. This is basically a simplified, kid-friendly version of that. Same tech, less complicated application.”

Tony gave a low whistle. “Impressive. Nobody Isn't sniffing around this, are they?”

Harley’s expression darkened slightly, and he shook his head. “Not yet, but we’re being careful. Everything’s kept in-house, and Peter’s got eyes on all the big projects. He’s paranoid enough for the both of us.”

“Good,” Tony said, tossing the bandage back to the intern. “Last thing we need is somebody getting their hands on something like this. Kid, you’ve got talent,” he added, pointing at the intern. “Just, you know, don’t kill yourself trying to prove it.”

“Yes, Mr. Stark,” the intern replied, still looking a little starstruck despite the scolding from Harley.

Harley sighed, “I am telling Peter about this. You’re on thin ice, Anderson.” the intern frowned, but nodded. Harley spun around, waving Tony toward another workstation. “Come on, there’s more to see. And maybe fewer people breaking rules.”

Tony grinned. “Where’s the fun in that?”

Chapter Text

Peter sighed and rubbed his eyes with his hands, before opening them to see MJ walking into their kitchen. She yawned, “After today I'll sleep for two days straight.” she murmured, walking around the counter to kiss him, and to steal his coffee. “Today is going to be so long.” she complained sitting on a barstool next to him. 

“Hmm. Step one, meeting with Ross and talking about pardoning the Rogue Avengers. Step two, bring out the things we have on him if he doesn’t agree. Step three, meeting with the Rogue Avengers to let them know about our next steps.” Peter listed off. 

“Step four, dinner with them all. You guys are acting like high school rivals, and it has been so tiring to watch.“ Michelle smiled. “God, I hate them all. They think so high of themselves, as if they did something other than create problems and fuck off once there’s time for the consequences.” Peter sneered. 

MJ raised an eyebrow at Peter’s tone, sipping the coffee she’d commandeered. “Well, don’t sugarcoat it, babe. Tell me how you really feel,” she said dryly, though her smirk softened the edge. She reached out to rub his back soothingly, her touch grounding him.

Peter exhaled sharply and shook his head. “Sorry. I know I shouldn’t be this bitter about it, but they just – they make everything harder. They come back, expect things to be the same, and it’s us who has to clean up the mess afterward.”

MJ tilted her head thoughtfully. “I get it. But maybe today’s the start of something better. If Ross actually plays ball and you can get the public on your side with this thing we have next week,” she said with a wry grin, “it might make them actually useful for once.”

Peter let out a dry laugh. “That’s optimistic of you. You know Ross is going to make this as painful as possible. The guy doesn’t even pretend to like me.”

“Yeah, well,” MJ said, leaning her chin on her hand, “the feeling’s mutual. But you’re good at this, Pete. Better than anyone gives you credit for. You’ve already got him on the back foot with whatever dirt we’re holding. He knows you’re not just some kid running around in tights anymore.”

Peter’s jaw tightened at that, and his lips pressed into a thin line. “Yeah. Doesn’t mean I want to be doing this. It’s just, I have to. Because if I don’t, who will?”

MJ reached for his hand, intertwining her fingers with his. “You don’t have to do it alone. You’ve got me. You’ve got our friends. Hell, you’ve even got Stark now, which is still wild to think about.”

Peter smiled faintly at that, squeezing her hand. “Yeah, I know. It’s just… hard to shake the feeling that it’s always going to be like this. One problem after another.”

MJ leaned in closer, her voice soft but firm. “Maybe it will. But you’re Spider-Man, remember? You don’t quit. And no matter how many problems there are, you always find a way to fix them.”

Peter let her words sink in, feeling a flicker of determination push past the frustration. “You’re right,” he admitted quietly. “It’s just one day. We’ll get through it.”

MJ smirked, taking another sip of coffee. “Damn right we will.” Peter chuckled at that, some of the tension easing from his shoulders. “Thanks, Em.”

“Always,” she replied, smiling warmly. “You’re such a softie.” Peter grinned and MJ’s face fell. “I take back everything I said.” 

Two hours later Peter adjusted his tie for the third time as he stood in the sterile conference room, glancing at MJ. She sat confidently beside him, her expression sharp and unreadable, the picture of poise. The only indication of her nerves, if she had any, was the way she tapped her pen lightly against the edge of her notepad.

"Relax," she murmured without looking at him, her voice calm but edged with steel. "He's going to try to intimidate us, but we have the upper hand. Just follow my lead."

Peter exhaled through his nose and nodded. “Right. Lead the way, boss.”

The door opened, and in strode Secretary Ross, flanked by two aides who looked equally unapproachable. Ross's face was set in its usual scowl as he took his seat at the head of the table, his movements deliberate and calculated.

"Miss Jones. Parker," Ross greeted curtly, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I hope you understand the weight of what you’re asking for." Peter never understood the respect Ross had for Michelle, but it was there. 

"Good afternoon to you too, Secretary Ross," MJ replied, her tone smooth but cutting. She leaned back in her chair, looking completely unbothered by his hostility. "And yes, we’re well aware. That’s why we’re here, to ensure you understand the weight of refusing."

Ross’s brow twitched, but he didn’t respond right away. Instead, he pulled out a folder and flipped it open. "The Rogue Avengers violated international law. They destroyed public property, endangered countless lives, and undermined the Sokovia Accords. I’m not inclined to sweep that under the rug because you ask nicely."

MJ frowned, but Peter smiled, leaning forward slightly. "We didn’t come here to ask nicely, Secretary. We came to ensure you’re looking at the bigger picture. Pardoning them doesn’t erase what happened, but it allows for unity. It gives the public closure and sends a message that this administration isn’t still clinging to grudges that don’t benefit anyone."

Ross chuckled humorlessly. "Unity? Closure? That sounds like spin. What it actually does is make me look weak and sets a dangerous precedent." He leaned forward, his gaze hard. "And I don’t negotiate with children who don’t understand the stakes."

Peter opened his mouth to fire back, but MJ held up a hand, her smile turning razor-sharp. "You’re right, Ross. You don’t negotiate. You dictate. And look where that’s gotten you, half the public doesn’t trust you, your allies are questioning your leadership, and you’re one headline away from a PR nightmare."

Ross’s expression darkened. "What exactly are you implying, Miss Jones?"

MJ’s smile widened, and she slid a slim folder across the table. "I’m not implying anything. I’m laying it out for you. This is just the tip of the iceberg, Ross. Financial discrepancies, unauthorized dealings, and some very interesting connections to less-than-reputable individuals. If this ever saw the light of day..." She trailed off, letting the weight of her words hang in the air.

Peter’s eyes flicked between MJ and Ross, his heart racing.

"You’re bluffing," Ross said, though his voice lacked the conviction he usually wielded.

MJ arched an eyebrow, tapping the folder. "Am I? Go ahead, open it. But I think you already know what’s inside. And if you don’t, well, I’m happy to give you a rundown."

Ross stared at her, his jaw clenched. The room was silent for a long, tense moment before he finally exhaled sharply and leaned back in his chair.

"What exactly do you want?" he said, his tone begrudging.

Peter blinked in surprise, actually shocked to his core that this had worked, glancing at MJ, who didn’t miss a beat. "We want you to publicly advocate for the pardon of the Rogue Avengers. Not just approve it— push for it. Make it clear that this administration supports their return. In exchange, we’ll keep this unpleasant information to ourselves."

Ross’s nostrils flared, but he didn’t argue. He studied MJ for a moment, then glanced at Peter, who was doing his best to look more confident than he felt.

Peter adjusted his tie as Ross glared at MJ, his heart hammering in his chest. He wasn’t sure how she managed to stay so composed, but he was tired of letting Ross treat him like a passive observer.

Peter cleared his throat, drawing both Ross and MJ’s attention. “With all due respect, Secretary Ross, this isn’t just about you. It’s about what’s best for everyone. You can talk about precedents and consequences all you want, but you can’t ignore the fact that the longer this drags on, the more unstable things become.”

Ross raised an eyebrow, his skepticism plain. “And you’re an expert on stability, Parker?”

Peter’s jaw tightened, but he kept his voice steady. “I’ve lived it. You think I don’t know what it’s like to clean up someone else’s mess? Every day, I deal with the fallout from things I didn’t cause. I know what it’s like to try and restore faith in people, to rebuild trust that’s been broken. And guess what? It doesn’t happen when you keep holding onto the past like a grudge.”

MJ leaned back slightly, letting Peter take the lead. She shot him a small, encouraging smile.

“You think pardoning them makes you look weak?” Peter continued, his tone sharpening. “It doesn’t. It makes you look human. The world doesn’t need more division, and it sure as hell doesn’t need more people fighting battles that should’ve ended years ago. If you can’t see that, then maybe you’re not the leader you keep claiming to be.”

Ross’s face darkened, but Peter didn’t flinch.

“Look,” Peter said, softening his voice slightly. “We’re not asking you to forgive and forget. We’re asking you to take a step toward making things right. You don’t have to like it. Hell, you don’t even have to like them . But you know as well as I do that this is the right move. For the Avengers, for the public, for everyone. ”

Ross was silent for a moment, his eyes narrowing as he studied Peter. Finally, he leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. “You’re awfully confident for someone who’s barely old enough to drink.” Peter ignored the fact that Ross was at his birthday gala that Pepper threw him last year, celebrating his twenty-first birthday and continued. 

“Confidence has nothing to do with it,” Peter said. “I’m just telling you what you already know.”

Ross’s lips pressed into a thin line, but before he could respond, MJ stepped in, her voice calm but firm. “Peter’s right. You might not like hearing it, but you know he’s got a point. And if you need a little motivation,” she added, tapping the folder, “we’ve got that covered too.”

Ross exhaled sharply through his nose, his frustration clear. He glanced between the two of them, then finally nodded. “Fine. I’ll push for the pardon. But this better not come back to bite me.”

“It won’t,” Peter said quickly. “As long as you keep your word, so will we.”

Ross stood, gathering his things. “We’ll see about that.” He shot them one last glare before walking out of the room, his aides trailing behind him.

As soon as the door shut, Peter slumped back in his chair, running a hand through his hair. “Oh my god. That was intense. I thought he was going to throw us out.”

“So did I.” MJ grinned as she stood up from the uncomfortable chair “Now come on. We’ve got more work to do, Spider-Man.”

Peter grinned, feeling lighter than he had in days. “Lead the way.”

Their drive back to the Stark Tower was a short one, and full of silence as they let Friday take the wheel. Michelle was writing a short caption for the post of Brue and Thor visiting a children’s hospital last week, while Peter was writing out forms. “Anderson tested stuff out on himself again. This is the second time. I’m seriously considering throwing the kid off this project.” Peter frowned looking at his phone. “If he isn’t dead it’s alright. But you should hold a workshop about not testing stuff out on themselves.” Michelle said back. 

When they finally arrived at the meeting room that the Avengers were in, they first heard the excessive arguments and yelling. 

“--You’re acting like children! Stop this before Peter and Michelle get here!” Harry screamed at Rogers and Tony who were dangerously close to each other, glaring. “Too late.” Ned rolled his eyes pointing at the couple who stood in the entrance. 

“I just got here and I’m already regretting this.” Rhodey murmured from his corner. He sighed, and walked up to Rogers and Tony. “Sit your asses down.” he said, and Steve glanced at the man before looking back at Tony. “This is your fault.” 

“Goddamnit, just sit down!” Harley yelled, and Tony glanced at Peter who looked miserable, just standing at the doorway.He looked much older than the twenty-one year he is. His eye bags were noticeable, and he was pale as well.  Tony blinked, and took a step back. 

“We just got back from the meeting with Ross. Is this how you want this shit to go? So far we’ve been good to you. We got you your own living spaces, we let your families visit you, we gave you money, we are fighting for your freedom and this is the shit you do?! If you don’t stop, things will get ugly and Ross with the accords will be the least of your problems.” Peter shouted. 

“We can call Ross and tell him that our deal is off, he’ll be happy to hear it. The Raft will be happy to have you guys.” Michelle sighed as she walked into the room, dropping her bag at her chair before sitting in it. 

“You can’t just threaten us with the Raft whenever you feel like it!” Wanda said angrily. “We can. We literally hold your lives in our hands right now.” Peter said loudly. 

The room fell into a tense, stunned silence, Peter’s voice still hanging in the air like a thunderclap. His glare didn’t waver as he swept his gaze over the group. Michelle sat calmly in her chair, crossing one leg over the other as if this was just another day at work.

“Look,” Peter continued, his voice still firm but softer now, “I don’t want it to come to that. None of us do. But we’re bending over backwards to fix the mess you all left behind, and if you can’t even keep it together in one room, then what the hell are we doing this for? Why the hell did I use my time to help you, and not do something better with it?”

Tony’s jaw tightened, but he looked away, guilt flickering in his eyes. Steve shifted uncomfortably, his arms crossing over his chest. Wanda opened her mouth to retort, but Michelle raised a hand to stop her.

“This isn’t a debate,” MJ said sharply. “You don’t get to decide whether or not the Raft is an option. That’s for us to decide, and trust me, Ross would jump at the chance to haul you all back in chains. So unless you want that, I suggest you start acting like you’re on the same team.”

Harley, who had been standing off to the side, let out a low whistle. “Damn. You guys are lucky it’s them talking to you and not me. I’d have sent you back already.”

“Not helping, Harley,” Peter muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose.

Rhodey stepped in then, his voice calm but no less firm. “You heard them. Sit down, shut up, and listen. This isn’t about who’s right or wrong. It’s about moving forward, and right now, you’re acting like kids fighting over the last slice of pizza.”

The Avengers slowly complied, some more grudgingly than others. Steve and Tony finally took their seats, though the tension between them was palpable. Wanda crossed her arms and glared at the table, while Sam sighed heavily and leaned back in his chair.

Peter looked around the room, his frustration giving way to exhaustion. “We’re not your enemies,” he said quietly. “We’re trying to help you. But if you keep pushing us like this, there’s only so much we can do.”

Michelle nodded, her tone more measured now. “This isn’t about us versus you. This is about fixing what’s broken. If you can’t do that, if you can’t work together, then you’re proving Ross right. Is that what you want?”

No one answered.

“Didn’t think so,” MJ said, standing up. “Now, if you’re done throwing tantrums, we’ve got a lot to cover. And next time you want to blow up at each other, remember that Peter and I could be spending our time doing literally anything else, but instead, we’re here cleaning up your mess.”

Peter glanced at her, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Couldn’t have said it better myself.”

Harley smirked from the back of the room. “Y’all are lucky they’re nicer than me.”

“Harley, zip it,” MJ said without missing a beat, though there was a hint of amusement in her voice.

As the tension in the room began to settle, Peter took a deep breath and stepped forward. “Alright. Let’s start over. We’re on the same side here. Let’s act like it.”

Peter took a deep breath as he stood in front of the room, all eyes on him. He straightened his shoulders, his exhaustion giving way to determination. “We just came from the meeting with Ross,” he began. “And he’s agreed to advocate for your pardoning.”

There were a few gasps around the room, followed by a low murmur. Wanda looked skeptical, while Sam and Clint exchanged wary glances. Steve leaned forward, his brow furrowed.

“Wait,” Clint said cautiously. “Ross? That Ross? He’s actually going to help us?”

Peter raised a hand to stop the chatter before it could spiral out of control. “Yes. But—”

“ But you’re not in the clear yet,” Michelle cut in, her voice sharp and no-nonsense. She leaned forward in her chair, fixing the room with a steely gaze. “Ross might be advocating for you, but this isn’t a done deal. You’re still walking a tightrope, and one wrong move could send you all straight back to the Raft. Understand?”

The murmurs died down instantly. Steve’s jaw tightened, but he nodded.

“That’s where we come in,” Ned said from the corner, his voice cutting through the silence. He adjusted his glasses and looked around the room. “You’re going to need a damn good lawyer. Someone who knows how to navigate all this legal garbage and make sure the court doesn’t get hung up on, you know… the whole international fugitive thing.”

“Do we even know anyone who can handle something like this?” Clint asked, scratching the back of his head.

Cindy perked up, her eyes lighting up with an idea. “Matt Murdock? He’s handled big cases like this before. And he’s, uh, pretty familiar with the whole vigilante lifestyle.”

Sam raised an eyebrow. “Murdock? The blind guy from Hell’s Kitchen? Isn’t he more of a street-level lawyer?”

“He’s more than that,” Cindy insisted. “He’s got the guts to take on cases other people wouldn’t touch with a ten-foot pole. If anyone can help you guys, it’s him.”

Peter nodded thoughtfully. “Matt was my first choice. I can reach out to him again.”

“But even if we get a lawyer,” Gwen interjected, her voice cutting through the room, “we need to be realistic. If this works, and you get your freedom, you’re going to have to sign the Accords.” She crossed her arms, her gaze flicking between Steve and Wanda. “Whether you like it or not.”

Steve tensed, leaning back in his chair as his expression darkened. “We fought against the Accords for a reason. They’re flawed, and you all know it.”

“I don’t know if you remember, but you were dead for five years. Things have changed. The accords did,” Gwen replied coolly. “You also don’t have a choice. If you want back in, you’re going to have to play by their rules.”

The room fell into an uncomfortable silence as the weight of her words settled over everyone.

Harry, who had been quietly observing from the side, finally spoke up. “Alright, before anyone else starts another argument,” he said, stepping forward, “let’s get a few things straight. First, Peter and MJ are the reason you even have a chance at freedom, so maybe show some gratitude. Second, if— when —this goes through, MJ will handle your PR.”

“Wait, what?” Sam asked, looking between MJ and Harry.

“She’s already everyone else’s PR wizard,” Harry said with a shrug. “Might as well add you guys to the list. You’re going to need someone to help smooth things over with the public, and no offense, but none of you are exactly great at damage control.”

MJ smirked, leaning back in her chair. “He’s not wrong. And honestly, it’ll be easier if you just let me do my thing instead of trying to micromanage it.”

Clint raised a hand. “So you’re saying we’re getting a lawyer, a PR rep, and a shot at freedom. What’s the catch?”

“The catch,” Michelle said, “is that you need to keep your noses clean. No fights, no public blow-ups, no anything that Ross or the courts could use to tank this deal.”

Peter nodded. “This is your second chance. Don’t waste it.”

Steve sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Alright,” he said finally. “Let’s do this. Let’s reach out to Murdock and get started.”

MJ stood, slinging her bag over her shoulder. “Good. Then let’s get to work. Because if you screw this up, I’m not bailing you out again.”

“Noted,” Clint muttered under his breath, earning a small chuckle from Sam.

As the room finally settled into a semblance of calm, Michelle leaned back in her chair and stretched her arms over her head, catching everyone’s attention. “I’ve been thinking about how to handle the public side of all this, and I have an idea.”

Peter, standing next to her, raised an eyebrow. “Oh no. Is this about the thing you told me this morning? I hate your ideas when you decide on them so early in the morning.”

She shot him a mock glare before smirking. “Funny. You’ll love this one, though.” Turning back to the group, she continued, “Once we get things rolling with Ross and Murdock, we’re going to need to control the narrative. We can’t have people thinking the Rogue Avengers—”

“Hey!” Clint interrupted, offended.

“—are a bunch of unrepentant vigilantes still running rogue,” MJ finished, ignoring him. “So, here’s the plan. You are individually going to get folders with information in them regarding your public image. For instance, Maximoff will spend at least three days of her week in a children’s hospital. Wilson will join the groups that are dealing with the aftermath of the return. Rogers will offer to hold self defence classes, that sort of stuff.”

The group exchanged confused glances.

“Three times a week?” Wanda asked, her tone skeptical.

“Yes,” MJ said firmly. 

Harley, leaning casually against the wall, grinned. “You’re really pulling out all the stops, huh?”

MJ ignored him. Peter glanced around the room, gauging the reactions. “It’s a great thing, Bucky and even Natasha did some things like this,” he said. “People are visual. If someone sees you doing this stuff, they alone will post it everywhere. The more of you people will see, the better. ”

“It’s not like you guys have any better ideas, besides, you’re blacklisted as heroes at the moment. One wrong move and you’ll visit a place way worse than the raft. We have to thread carefully.” MJ added, raising an eyebrow.

Clint muttered something under his breath, but he didn’t argue.

Peter turned to MJ, his expression a mix of admiration and amusement. “You really thought this through, huh?”

“I always think things through,” she replied with a smirk. “I’m just smarter than all of you.”

“Debatable,” Harley quipped from the back, earning a glare from MJ.

“So it’s settled,” MJ said, standing up and brushing imaginary dust off her hands. “You’ll get your lawyer, we’ll make sure Ross keeps his word. Just don’t make me regret it, okay?”