AFTERWARDS

AFTERWARDS

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Tony smiles to himself sighing with contentment, he can’t believe after all this time that this is where he is in life. After the “Civil War” as everyone called it, he and Steve worked together but that in no way made up for how betrayed Tony had felt, and after that stupid, purple, Alien dick was taken care of, finally everything seemed right with the world, minus an arm.

 Tony had hung up his Iron Man suit for good, now he just supervises and assists the team from the ground with his genius mind. Pepper was glad for it and honestly it was a weight off his shoulders too now that he could focus on helping in different ways behind the scenes while leading an average life of a billionaire of course, he smiles as he thinks about his wife, What a lucky guy he is.

    Tony leans back in his lawn chair as he watches Peter and Morgan chase each other around the yard playfully as Pepper happily holds her bulging stomach with one of her hands while she sits the freshly made lemonade on the outdoor table with the other.

    May Hogan comes out of the house, smiling in joy, her husband Happy in tow with the toppings and sauces for their burgers, she and Pepper talk and laugh with each other as Happy sets the places for the table, stealing glances at his wife with a smile of his own.

Both women look pleasant and beautiful, he’s so happy that May decided to become apart of their new family after marrying his long time friend and head of security Happy and of course with Peter, acting as a sort of sister figure to Pepper and an Aunt to Morgan.

    Tony stands up and stretches out before going over to the grill to flip the Patties so they don’t burn, using his newly built metal arm that Peter helped him make.

Morgan gives a shrill cry as Peter picks her up and spins her around the yard, startling Tony into looking up from the grill again. He shakes his head and smiles, he can’t wait for Peter and Morgan to meet their new sibling, yes everything is right as it should be.

   The sliding glass door opens with a thud at being pulled back with force “Uncle Rhodey!” Both kids shout happily in union, making their way towards Tony’s life long friend with glee, Morgan latches onto his robotic legs as she jumps up and down with excitement.

  The adults all turn in their spots to see that the Colonel had arrived early as usual he wasn’t supposed to be back from his sister’s house until Two-Thirty. Though the man doesn’t look how Tony would expect him to, he usually lights up when his niece and nephew address him, He looks upset and uncertain.

“Uh, hey kids.” he replies with an uncomfortable chuckle, Peter loses his smile as the seventeen year old seems to pick up Rhodey’s melancholy tone, Rhodey sits Morgan down and she takes no notice at the change in the atmosphere, she runs off to bother her mother and aunt at the table.

“Tony.” Turning to the younger man he hesitates.“Can I talk to you in the living room…for a moment?” Rhodey gestures back with his thumb to the room in question, Tony frowns uneasy at his friend’s tone.

The girls seem to notice too, May offers to take his place at the grill, He gives a hushed thank you to her before following behind his oldest friend. Happy and Pepper share a look with each other from across the table.

”Dad?” He stops in his tracks as he hears his name called out with a concerned tone. He turns back around like Rhodey does when he hears it too. “It’s alright Pete, don’t worry I just gotta talk with the old man for a second.”

Rhodey smiles clapping Tony on the back, though Tony can tell it’s fake and Peter probably can too, Tony rolls his eyes at being called old, Though Peter remains serious and observant.

”Don’t worry Kiddie.” Tony says, “Go help Aunt Hottie with the Grill.” Waving the boy off. “But-“ Peter starts, Tony tells him to go on, Peter deflates turning to go help his Aunt May.

As they enter the beach house, Tony jokingly asks, “Alright who stole your honey, Honeybear?” Rhodey turns to face him all serious like and says,“Steve’s here, he’s waiting out front to talk with you.” Rhodey admits softly as if it’ll help with the blow.