Hero

Every turned to look at the older version of Tony when they saw Jarvis freeze. Maria and Jarvis looked like their worst nightmare had come to life as their worst-case scenario started to play out. Howard looked positively peeved about the entire thing, most likely upset about having two deal with two different versions of his son. Peter was panicking, looking guilty like everything was his fault. The younger Tony and Rhodey were both staring at the older Tony, trying to figure out what exactly was happening. The older Tony was just now putting the pieces together.

“This is weird,” Morgan whispered into her dad’s ear, covering her mouth with her hand so others couldn’t make out what she was saying.

“Is this your secret uncle or something?” Rhodey muttered to the younger Tony.

“Yes!” Maria confirmed, thankful she didn’t have to come up with a solution.

“No,” the younger Tony answered, narrowing his eyes. He walked closer to the older Tony, scrutinizing him. “He looks exactly like me.”

“Secret dad?” Rhodey suggested. Howard and Maria glared at him, indicating for him to shut up.

“What are you suggesting, Anthony?” Howard asked in an annoyed tone. Tony bristled at his full name. The older Tony remained silent through the entire exchange. His eyes trailed the younger version of him. His grip tightened on Morgan and he tried not to do anything that would give him away.

“Who is he?” The younger Tony demanded to know. He stared right into his eyes.

“You look like my daddy,” Morgan commented, making Tony’s eyes flicker to her. The younger Tony stared at Morgan, realizing it was the same little girl from earlier. It was the one Jarvis had been so desperate to hide. Why would they want to hide secret family members so bad? Why would they continue to try to keep up this false image if he already knew something was up? All the older Tony saw was the younger Tony’s eyes go wide before he darted out of the room.

“Well, that went fantastic,” Howard growled bitterly. “What the hell happened?”

“He was distressed about something,” Maria answered calmly. “He just wanted to come home for a bit.”

“I don’t pay for him to come home and be useless whenever he wants to,” Howard argued back. “How did he get in here so easily. He saw everyone!”

“We couldn’t keep him out of his own house, Howard. He would’ve been even more suspicious,” Maria argued back.

“Yeah? Even more so than he is now?” Howard snarked, motioning to Peter and Tony.

“You don’t know that Tony figured out—”

“Anthony,” Howard corrected, holding up a finger. “I’m not falling down this hole of trying to figure out which one we’re talking about.” Maria looked aggravated at being interrupted but nodded anyway.

“We don’t know that Anthony knows anything. The forgotten relative story would have worked if we had—”

“If I may,” Rhodey said sheepishly, raising his hand. Everyone had quickly forgotten he was there when Anthony left. “You’re saying that this man, who looks like an older replica of…Anthony, isn’t a relative?”

“It’s complicated,” Maria answered, ignoring Howard’s warning glare. Rhodey nodded.

“So, what, is he a clone or something?” Rhodey asked, his eyes flickering back to Tony. Tony couldn’t help but snort.

“That’s a possibility we hadn’t ruled out,” Maria said to Howard with a shrug. Howard scoffed.

“How do you explain these two, then?” Howard asked, pointing at Morgan and Peter. Rhodey’s eyes followed where Howard pointed, then he frowned.

“And they are…?” Everyone in the room seemed to share a look, debating if they could keep the charade up for much longer. Despite how impossible the situation seemed, there were only so many conclusions Rhodey and Anthony could come to based off what they’d seen. Tony let out a sigh.

“My kids,” he answered. Everyone’s eyes bugged out at his honesty. “I’m from the future."

"Bullshit," Rhodey scoffed before anyone could even begin to yell at Tony. Tony shrugged as best he could with Morgan in his arms. They stared at each other for a few moments, but Tony’s stare was unrelenting. “Prove it.” Tony snorted.

“Why? I gave you the truth. You don’t have to believe it,” Tony said. Rhodey’s eyes widened for a second before he slowly nodded.

“You’re him.”

“You cannot possibly believe that from so little information,” Jarvis said in disbelief.

“Besides the fact that all of you looked absolutely horrified at what he said, indicating that he told the unspoken truth,” Rhodey pointed out, reminding them why he was attending MIT, “I’ve heard that phrase from Tony himself more times than I can count.”

“You’ll hear it a lot more,” Tony teased, earning an exasperated look from his mother.

“Can I say hi to Uncle Rhodey now?” Morgan asked, surprisingly everyone except Tony and Peter at how well she was keeping up. Tony figured that the truth might overwhelm him, but they were in this deep. Tony let her out of his arms for her to run over to Rhodey, latching onto his legs.

“And this is…?” Rhodey breathed out.

“My daughter. Morgan Stark.”

“Oh.” Rhodey was definitely frozen in shock, taking in how similar she looked to the Tony he knew at MIT right now. “She looks like you.” Morgan glared up at him, making Rhodey grin sheepishly.

“You say that a lot,” Morgan muttered, not letting go of his legs. Rhodey nodded and turned to Peter, who was sitting on the couch trying to shrink away from view.

“And he’s—”

“Peter. My son,” Tony answered, nodding for Peter to come over to him. Peter frantically shook his head from his position, but Tony only gestured for him to come over again. Peter reluctantly dragged himself from the couch to stand next to Tony. Tony smiled smugly and put a hand on Peter’s shoulder. “Say hi, Pete.”

“Hi,” Peter muttered, looking at the floor with a red face. Rhodey was astonished, his gaze constantly flickering between Tony and his two children. Morgan restlessly held her hands up to be picked up, which Rhodey eventually complied with.

“I’m dreaming,” Rhodey mumbled. “There’s no way you’re a functional adult.”

“Ouch,” Peter said, making Tony rolled his eyes.

“You’re telling me,” Howard muttered to himself.

“You’re from the future,” Rhodey was talking to himself. “And these are your actual children.” Peter looked like he was about to speak up, so Tony elbowed him and cleared his throat inconspicuously. “Who’s their mother?”

“You don’t know her yet,” Tony answered smoothly.

“How do they know this boy and not us?” Howard asked smartly, crossing his arms over his chest. It was another unaddressed topic that was finally rising to the spotlight.

“Howard,” Maria chastised lightly. Howard held a hand up as if to silence her, not taking his eyes off of Tony.

“It’s a fair question. His own daughter is sticking to this boy he met at MIT more than she does to her own grandparents.”

“To be fair, she’s fairly attached to Mom,” Tony pointed out smugly.

“You know exactly what I mean.”

“And you’ve probably already figured out the answer to your own question.” The expression on Howard’s face said it all.

“What happened.”

“Not telling,” Tony said bluntly. Rhodey and Jarvis were frowning, having not been privy to the information Maria and Howard has disputed between themselves earlier.

“So it’s true,” Howard said. “We’re dead?”

“Wow,” Peter mumbled to himself.

“Pardon?” Jarvis said, surprised by the casual look on Howard’s face. “You were already aware of this information?”

“We thought about it,” Maria cleared up. “It made more sense that way.”

“Holy shit,” Rhodey mumbled, earning a glare from Tony since he was holding his daughter.

Despite his shock, Anthony wasn’t foolish enough to leave everyone alone after his realization. He hid behind the wall, listening to everything that went down. His breathing had yet to even out as everyone unknowingly confirmed his suspicions. He had seen himself from the future. It sounded ridiculous, but the way Tony was looking at him confirmed everything for him.

He listened as Howard complained. He listened as Tony explained to Rhodey that those were his kids, his actual children. Even the thought of having children scared Tony to his core, but neither of them looked fucked up like Anthony thought they might be. Tony was holding the little girl, and she seemed like she wanted to be there. The teen was his age, and he wasn’t scared of him. Anthony kept thinking about the embarrassed look on Peter’s face, but he wasn’t afraid. Anthony hadn’t become his father.

He listened as the little requested to go to her Uncle Rhodey, and Anthony thought he might’ve died when a sweet feeling filled him up. Rhodey was still his friend, even after all those years. Tony talked to Rhodey like he had never left.

He listened to Tony introduce his kids, Morgan and Peter. He perked up when Rhodey asked about their mother, but Tony gave a vague answer. Then, Howard brought up something that nearly sent Anthony into a panic. They were dead. Tony’s children didn’t know their grandparents because they were dead before they were born. Anthony had trouble breathing after that, but he didn’t want to give himself away. He stifled his breath as Tony basically confirmed it. He was going to lose his parents before Peter was even born. Anthony finally walked away to find his room.

He tried his best not to cry, but he was too stressed out. First college spreading him out to his breaking point, and now this. Anthony felt like throwing up from the wave of emotions that affected him all at once. Without meaning to, he cried himself to sleep.

When Anthony woke up, he was scared to leave his room. He figured that everyone knew that he knew now, so he didn’t have anything to be afraid of. Still, he didn’t want to step out and be scrutinized as everyone awaited his reaction. He came home to finally be ignored and left alone, not for this.

He snuck his way down to the kitchen, expecting only Jarvis to be up this early preparing to make breakfast. To his surprise, Morgan was sitting there when he arrived. She was kicking her legs while sitting on the stool, clearly in a good mood. In front of her was a plate of toast and a glass of juice. She must have heard Anthony despite him sneaking, because she turned around to look at him. Anthony was taken back when she smiled and waved. Jarvis looked back as well and locked eyes with Anthony, softening his face into a smile.

“Good morning, young sir,” Jarvis greeted. “Can I interest you in a glass of orange juice?” Tony shook his head, hesitantly coming up to sit a seat away from Morgan when Jarvis gestured for him to come closer.

“Coffee, please,” Anthony requested, side-eyeing Morgan. She scrunched her nose up at the mug that was placed in front of him. “What?” He asked bluntly.

“Coffee’s nasty,” Morgan said, taking another bite of toast. “You drink it all the time.” Anthony felt chills go up his back at what she just said. He knew she was talking about her father, not him but the man who was probably more than thirty years older. Jarvis looked at him subtly, but Anthony pretended not to see him.

“It’s needed for fuel.” Morgan giggled, and Anthony was shocked at himself for how pleased he was to hear that from her. He didn’t even like kids.

“You say that all the time too.”

“Sounds like I haven’t changed much,” Tony muttered, mostly to himself. Morgan didn’t respond to that. She wouldn’t know how to. The kitchen fell quiet with only Jarvis’ movements making sound as he moved pots and pans around to start a proper breakfast. Anthony was nearly finished with his first cup when he heard slow footsteps behind him. He immediately stiffened, expecting to hear his father call out his name angrily.

“Good evening, young sir,” Jarvis greeted pleasantly. Anthony blinked, turning around to see the other kid. What was his name again? “Can I offer you a juice?” Peter had the same disheveled hair and tired look as Anthony did when he woke up, but he nodded instead of requesting coffee. Peter looked at Anthony, awkwardly waving before sitting on the other side of Morgan. Morgan looked at Peter giddily.

“Toast!” She exclaimed amusingly, shoving the piece in Peter’s face to show off the bread and her favorite jam. Peter snorted tiredly, taking a bite when it was close enough to his face. Morgan’s smile fell as her jaw dropped. “Hey!” She glared at Peter. It was the cutest thing Anthony had ever seen. She analyzed the giant bite Peter had taken out of her toast and rolled her eyes in annoyance. Jarvis was smiling when he set down a glass of orange juice for Peter.

“Don’t you drink coffee?” Anthony asked without meaning to, astonished how anyone his age could be up this early without the caffeine for a boost. Peter blushed and shook his head.

“I-I’m not allowed that much caffeine…” Peter stuttered out. Morgan giggled to herself while Tony frowned. Was he that much of a hard ass that he didn’t allow his kids the one thing that kept him going every morning? Peter must have noticed the contemplative expression on his face, because he shook his head even before the words came out of his mouth. “It’s not good for me. It only takes a little to affect me badly…” That sounded like bullshit if Anthony had ever heard it, but he didn’t question it. Anthony just nodded.

The kitchen fell silent again. Peter noticed how often Anthony kept looking at them, but he didn’t want to say anything. It was one thing to accidentally tell the future to Tony’s parents, but to tell the future to his younger self seemed disastrous. Anthony seemed to have suspected that fear. He started to ask questions since Peter wasn’t talking.

“How old are you?” Anthony asked casually, thanking Jarvis for the second cup of coffee. Peter’s eyes went wide, not expecting anymore conversation.

“Sixteen,” Peter answered hesitantly.

“Where do you go to school?”

“Uh, this place in midtown,” Peter answered vaguely. Anthony frowned.

“This ‘place?’ What’s it called, dude?” Peter chuckled nervously.

“Sir, I believe you are making Peter uncomfortable with your invasive questions about the future,” Jarvis attempted to alleviate the tension. However, the only thing Anthony picked up was, Peter! That’s the kid’s name.

“I just want to know where he’s going to school,” Anthony asked innocently. “I go to MIT.”

“Yeah, I know that…” Peter said. Anthony suddenly remembered the fact that Peter had been wearing his sweatshirt which now looked old. He didn’t know how to feel about that. “It’s just a high school, man… I don’t even know if it exists yet.”

“You’re still in high school?” Anthony asked in an astonished tone. Oh geez, it’s the Howard conversation all over again, Peter thought miserably.

“Not just any school,” Jarvis piped up again. “It’s for smart individuals particularly interested in science and technology, if I am remembering correctly.” Peter stared at him dumbfounded before nodding. “Your father told me a little about it,” Jarvis told Peter.

“Yeah,” Peter stuttered out a confirmation, looking back at Anthony. Anthony felt like he had a million thoughts running through his head that he couldn’t get a grasp on. After getting over the fact that he was sitting here talking to his son who was the same age as him, Anthony now had to get a grasp of that fact that his own son hadn’t skipped ahead to college like he had. Now Jarvis was telling him that the kid was still smart.

“What do you like doing then?” Peter groaned internally for the third time this was being asked.

“I don’t know, dude! Science!” Peter groaned out, letting his head fall on the counter in front of him. Morgan giggled.

“And Legos,” Morgan added for clarity, nodding smartly at Anthony. Anthony nodded back, though he didn’t exactly know what she meant by that.

“Chemistry and Physics, am I correct Peter?” Jarvis added, facilitating the conversation much better than the two teens were. Peter sat back up and nodded sheepishly. “You have a few years before you’re applying to college?”

“Next year, actually,” Peter answered.

“I’m sure your father will put in a good word,” Jarvis said amusingly. Peter snorted.

“He’s not allowed to. Mommy and Petey banned him,” Morgan said. Anthony bristled.

“What? Why?” Peter rolled his eyes.

“I’m not getting in because they know I know you.” Anthony scoffed.

“Don’t they already know that you know me?” Anthony asked. Peter shook his head.

“No, they think I have a Stark Internship,” Peter answered. Anthony fell silent.

“So no one knows that I have kids?”

“They know you have kids. They just don’t know who we are.” What Anthony would have paid to be given that choice in life, to not constantly be in Howard’s shadow. It sounded like a dream, a dream that his own kids were getting to live.

“Why would you have an internship at Stark Industries,” Anthony asked with a confused frown on his face. Peter opened his mouth before he hesitated to answer. “They send high schoolers to check out how to build weaponry?”

“No…?” Peter answered unconvincingly. Anthony stared at him dumbly, waiting for a proper response. “Because…Stark Industries doesn’t build weapons anymore…”

“What?” Anthony turned to Jarvis to confirm this. The unsurprised look on Jarvis’ face told all. Anthony thought he couldn’t be more blown away. He really had to raise his standards, considering he was dealing with time travel. “What do we do?”

“Uh…” Peter said dumbly, looking around the room like it could give him answers.

“Petey’s new phone and computer and watch—”

“Thanks, Morgan,” Peter cut Morgan off. Anthony just sat in silence. He made tech in the future, not weapons but tech. It wasn’t even a possibility he had dreamed would be possible, to be able to continue to make things or AI’s like DUM-E.

“Are they good?” Anthony asked quietly, trying to act casual while twiddling his thumbs.

“Uh…best on the market,” Peter hesitated. “Stop interrogating me!” Anthony looked up and snorted at the kid’s puppy dog eyes.

“I’m sorry,” Anthony laughed. “Sue me. I’m curious.” They fell silent again until Jarvis claimed he had to get the newspaper for Anthony’s father. Anthony cleared his throat. “Do you, like, actually like hanging around me?” Anthony mumbled. Oh no, more questions, Peter thought to himself miserably.

“Yeah, it’s great,” Peter’s voice cracked as he tried to answer as vaguely and quickly as possible. Anthony’s face looked crestfallen.

“Why’d you say it like that?”

“Say it like what?” Peter asked innocently.

“Like you’re lying,” Anthony mumbled. Peter frowned. He hadn’t really thought about how he came off when he said things.

“Because I’m probably not allowed to talk to you. You say I’m bad at keeping secrets which is kind of bullshit because I’ve kept my biggest secret for so long—” Peter bit down on his lip when he realized what he just hinted at. Yeah, that’s why he doesn’t think he’s good at keeping secrets.

“What, about me being your father?”

“Yes?” Peter answered. Anthony didn’t look completely satisfied with that answer, but he also didn’t look like he was going to pry for something else. “What are you trying to ask me?” Anthony was staring at his hands when he shrugged. It was then that Peter got it. He had only been around Howard for a few days, but he knew that the relationship he had with Tony was much different than the relationship Tony had with Howard. “You let me work in your lab even though I keep breaking things,” Peter started saying.

Anthony looked up at him when he said this, a contemplative expression on his face. Peter continued.

“You came to my science fair incognito because I said I wanted you to go but I didn’t want Tony Stark there. You keep offering to get me into MIT before I even graduate even though I keep telling you that I’m going to do it by myself. Then you told me you know that I can do it by myself but you’re just pushy like that.”

“You built me my playhouse and make me toast,” Morgan added, not entirely sure what was going on, having only just heard the end of the conversation. “Mommy makes better pancakes though.”

“What she said,” Peter added. It was hard to get a read on Anthony’s expression, but Peter would say he didn’t completely screw things up. Peter was able to calm himself down a bit when Maria walked into the room. She smiled at Peter before coming by to run her fingers through Anthony’s hair, mussing it up.

“Good morning, Bambino,” Maria greeted. Anthony grunted in response but turned to smile at her. “Have you been bothering our guests?”

“Our guests?” Anthony repeated. “They’re my children. I think I’m allowed to ask some questions.” Maria just rolled her eyes. Jarvis returned with the newspaper and started preparing a coffee for Maria. Maria then went to run her fingers through Morgan’s hair, making the child giggle.

“Are you enjoying your toast, Bambina?” Morgan nodded enthusiastically.

“Yes, Nonna!” Morgan responded. Anthony raised an eyebrow, turning to look at his mother.

“Nonna?” He repeated. Maria shrugged at him.

“They’re my grandbabies.” Anthony rolled his eyes.

The morning was unusually casual, considering the situation that was going on. Everyone else came down for breakfast eventually until the chatter was disgustingly light. Anthony thought he was going to claw his eyes out if he had to participate in any more small talk since he was literally across the table from himself.

“Where’s your time travel friend?” Howard eventually asked in a biting tone to Tony. Anthony and Rhodey looked up at this question. They weren’t aware of this “time travel friend.”

“That’s a good question,” Tony muttered, rolling his eyes.

“Why don’t you just try this time travel shit for yourself?” Howard challenged. Tony sighed, rubbing at his eyes. Anthony had begun to shrink down in his chair like he usually did when Howard tried to start up arguments, but Tony stood his ground like he was dealing with another one of his children.

“Because, on the small occasion that I fuck things up, I’ll be in a lot of trouble,” Tony answered simply. “Plus, this wasn’t a scientific journey. It was magic—”

“Bullshit,” Howard and Anthony said at the same time, both ignoring the other. Tony shrugged.

“It’s not my job to convince you of anything. It’s my job to get myself and these kids home and maybe kick the time traveler’s ass along the way.”

“But I like Dr. Strange,” Morgan pouted, climbing into her dad’s lap. Everyone else had become used to seeing this type of clingy interaction between Tony and Morgan, but Anthony and Rhodey’s eyes bugged out completely. Anthony couldn’t even begin to imagine doing anything like that as a child. Tony acted so natural, like he barely registered Morgan was in his arms now.

“Why?” Tony muttered.

“He can portal us places,” Peter answered, squinting his eyes at Tony like it was a dumb question. Tony squinted back at him.

“I’m so much cooler.”

“This isn’t a competition,” Peter responded. “But he’s also a doctor.”

“I’m a fucking doctor,” Tony laughed.

“Not in the cool way.” Peter raised an eyebrow challengingly.

“You don’t even like biology. What do you mean ‘not in the cool way?’ He can’t even do it anymore.”

“His cape is cool,” Morgan added pleasantly.

“It’s a cloak,” Tony informed her, sighing defeatedly. He wasn’t going to bring up the latest Iron Man suit or Peter’s Iron Spider, but he was thinking it really hard. The expression on Peter’s face was teasing, indicating he knew what cards Tony couldn’t draw.

Throughout the interaction, Anthony and Rhodey’s heads moved back and forth loyally. Howard started to ignore everyone after his conversation with Tony ceased, electing to read the paper instead. Maria listened with her head resting in her palm. Anthony and Rhodey eventually looked at each other, like they couldn’t believe any of this was going on. The Anthony that Rhodey knew now was a disaster who forgot to go downstairs to eat and take his basket down the hall to do his laundry. The only person Rhodey had seen Anthony interact with like that was himself.

“You’re saying there’s a wizard in the future named Dr. Strange?” Rhodey asked.

“Warlock,” Tony incorrectly corrected. Peter rolled his eyes.

“Sorcerer,” Peter corrected.

Anthony was sitting by himself with Morgan later, which is not a position he thought he’d find himself in. He figured somebody was probably looking for the little girl, but she looked content to dance around him as he stood outside. Anthony was looking at her long dark hair, tied up into a bun, wondering if her mother was brunette. If Anthony was being honest with himself, he was fixing for something, anything. He knew that he was sacrificing his opportunity to get high or drunk when he came home out of the blue, and he though maybe that was a good thing. It was. Despite his twitching fingers, Anthony probably would have never forgiven himself if he took something while Morgan was around or if she found something.

Anthony ended up picking her up, which was also weird. He’s never held a child before, not that he could remember. She was lighter that she looked, and she wrapped her tiny arms around his neck. Anthony wondered if she forgot that he wasn’t her real dad, but he didn’t really care. He let her tuck her head underneath his chin. That was how Tony would end up finding them.

“There you are,” Tony called out. Anthony jumped around in surprise, making Morgan’s head bang against his chin. Both of them groaned, rubbing the respective spots that got hit. Anthony made a move to put Morgan down, but she tightened her grip. “Jarvis was looking for you.”

“I’m sorry—” Anthony started to apologize before Tony shook his head.

“It’s fine. She does this a lot.” Tony came until he was standing next to Anthony, who looked incredibly sheepish. “How are you doing?” Anthony frowned and shrugged.

“Fine, I guess.”

“Really, because I don’t remember this trip, but I do remember never wanting to come home over dealing with the shit at school.” Anthony glared at the ground, having forgotten he was literally trying to fool himself.

“It’s no big deal. I just needed a break.” Despite it being himself that he was talking to, Tony knew he wouldn’t talk if he was pushed, so he dropped it. “How did you become a dad?” Well, that was unexpected.

“Uh…” Tony said, searching for answers.

“Like, who is she? Do I know her yet?” Anthony really hoped he didn’t. He didn’t like anyone enough for them to be the mother of the children he was already attached to.

“God, no,” Tony answered. “You won’t meet her until way down the road. Sorry, kid.” Anthony just nodded. “It’s complicated, by the way.”

“What, was it an accident?” Tony was desperately trying to think of a way to explain how Peter wasn’t his biological child without giving anything away. He shouldn’t have said anything.

“No, it’s just that Peter was kept a secret from me for a while…” Tony played off. Anthony looked concerned but didn’t say anything. “Morgan was more purposeful, but I already had Peter around by the time she came along.”

“How do you even decide that you want kids?” Anthony muttered mostly to himself. Tony let out a sigh.

“Not to brag or anything, but I’m kind of the best father ever. I’ve got a mug to prove it,” Tony said cheekily, bringing Anthony’s attention back to him. “Listen, I get that Howard is shitty. I never forgot that. I was certainly reminded when I came back here. However, we’re not shitty, no matter how much you think you are sometimes.”

“I don’t—”

“I’m you, kid,” Tony interrupted. “And I remember how clearly I thought I was trash. If I had to guess, that’s probably how you were feeling when you came home to visit.” Anthony was silent. Tony purposefully ignored the glassy look in his eyes. “Things get so much better, it’s kind of insane.”

“Really?” Anthony bit back. “Because you kind of just told everyone that Mom and Dad died.” Tony cringed a bit but nodded. The worst part about this part of the conversation was how soon the topic was going to happen. It was only about a year away, but Tony couldn’t tell him that.

“No easy way around it,” Tony admitted. “Does it make you feel better to know you survive it?” Anthony shrugged. “Morgan, tell him what a great dad I am.”

“The bestest,” Morgan mumbled into his neck, clearly ready for a nap.

“Thanks,” Anthony mumbled back.

“Here’s some word of advice: stop trying to prove yourself to everybody, kid,” Tony told himself, a once in a lifetime opportunity. He’d probably have to deal with Strange’s rage later. “You’re kind of a genius. You’ve got problems, but they get better. You don’t need to prove to everyone every step of the way that you deserve to exist.” Anthony sniffled.

“Sounds a bit arrogant,” Anthony repeated the words he’s heard about himself too many times already.

“If people can’t see past your shell or the things that you’ll eventually create for the world, then they don’t deserve to be around you,” Tony concluded. He offered his hands out to give the kid a break from holding Morgan and to put her down for a nap. She wasn’t heavy, but it got a bit hard the longer you held her. Tony left his past self to his thoughts for a bit, feeling a bit proud of himself. He heard Anthony sniff a few times before he went inside.

“Thanks,” Anthony called out.

Peter was watching something on an 80’s TV, cringing with each frame and scene that went on. Now more than ever, he was grateful for his, or Tony’s, Netflix account. He tried to ignore the fact that Howard entered the room.

“Haven’t you anything better to do?” Howard asked.

“Not really,” Peter responded, not getting up from his sprawled position on the floor.

“I thought you were a genius. Why don’t you make something?” Peter sighed.

“Everything in this house is so dated I might just barf,” Peter said. “Plus, Dad told me not to.”

“Well, you’re doing better than your father did, actually listening to what’s told to you,” Howard grumbled. Peter sat up.

“I’ve only been here a few days, Mr. Stark, but Tony is and has always been a better father than you’ve ever been,” Peter criticized. Howard was taken back. “You don’t compare literally at all. Father is a more honorable title than what you’ve been.”

“Who do you think you’re talking to?” Howard spat out.

“I have never once been afraid to go to my dad with anything, but you can barely talk to your son,” Peter continued. “He’s constantly telling me and Morgan that he loves us, but I know for a fact that you’ve never done the same courtesy for your only son.”

“Well, I—” Howard stammered.

“It’s kind of crazy how shitty you are,” Peter mumbled mostly to himself. “Not only that, but he’s also better at managing your company that you are.”

“The company that he turned over to a woman.”

“The company that he first turned into a multi-billion-dollar business,” Peter reminded him. “Not to mention the countless other things he’s done that I’d probably get in trouble for mentioning.”

“You have some nerve coming into my own home to degrade me—”

“We’re leaving as soon as possible,” Peter scoffed. “Don’t worry.” He went back to watching the TV, once again, pretending Howard didn’t even exist

It would be a few days later when Stephen Strange would finally show up. Peter was playing checkers with Uncle Rhodey in the living room when he heard a knock on the door late at night. Both of them looked up at each other. Peter expected his Spidey senses to go off, but nothing happened. Jarvis was gone, and he was almost positive that everyone else was asleep. He got up to open the door.

“Dude, you can’t just open the door to a mysterious knock in the middle of the night. Oh god, you are Tony’s son,” Rhodey said.

“It’s fine,” Peter said, skipping over to the door before Rhodey could protest anymore. He pulled it open and was blessed by the sight of a slightly annoyed Dr. Strange. “Stephen!”

“Peter,” Strange nodded in greeting. He raised an eyebrow. “Where’s Stark?”

“Probably asleep and a little pissed it took you so long to get here,” Peter answered, moving aside to let him in. Strange walked in and paused at the sight of Rhodey.

“Rhodes,” Strange greeted, nodding at the young man.

“I know a sorcerer?” Rhodey mumbled to himself.

“How long has it been?” Strange asked Peter.

“Uh, a few days. We’re not good at keeping secrets.”

“No, I didn’t think so,” Strange admitted. “Go find Stark.”

Soon, everyone had no choice but to believe the time travelers that Strange really did use magic. He first showed off unnecessarily portaling himself around the house. Then, he pulled the Time Stone out of a pocket dimension to show them.

“Took you long enough,” Tony greeted. “Can you get us back to when we left? We have a dinner reservation.”

“My apologies,” Strange said insincerely with an eyeroll. “I just had to search the entire cosmos for, not just you, but a very specific version of you and then track down when in time would be the best way to retrieve you.”

“Apology accepted,” Tony responded cheekily. “How’d you do it?” Strange pulled out a long piece of dark brown hair. “That’s not mine.”

“No, it’s Morgan. Easier to search for her since she’s younger and didn’t exist in the 80s,” Strange explained.

“How’d you get my daughter’s hair?” Tony asked with no real malice.

“From her hairbrush at your house. Your wife’s pissed at you, by the way,” Strange said with a smirk, making Tony groan.

“Dammit, we missed the dinner. You did that on purpose.” Strange shrugged cheekily.

“Maybe. I like her a lot better, by the way.”

“She hates you,” Tony lied.

“No she doesn’t,” Strange said. Maria finally made her way downstairs with Morgan. Everyone else was up and prepared for their journey home. Maria insisted that Morgan take some of the stuff that she bought to remember her by. She also brought the stuff that Peter almost left behind, including Tony’s old MIT hoodie.

“Thanks,” Peter said with a blush. Maria smiled and kissed him on the forehead, pulling him into a tearful hug. She did the same with Morgan before coming over to the older version of her son.

“You’re doing a great job, Bambino,” Maria whispered into his ear, kissing his cheek and giving him a tight hug. Tony just hugged her back, fearing his voice would be too watery if he spoke. No one else said anything as Strange prepared to take them back. Tony held onto both Morgan and Peter tightly, scared out of his mind that something would go wrong. Tony locked eyes with Anthony, giving the kid a wink before Strange pulled them back to the present with a flash of green light.

The rest of them were left staring at the spot where Tony, his kids, and the sorcerer just stood. Anthony and Rhodey shared a gobsmacked look. Maria put her arms around the younger Anthony tearfully, kissing the crown of his head.

It was the next day when the rest of them would meet in the kitchen for dinner like nothing happened. Anthony and Rhodey were home from school even though they weren’t supposed to be, and Maria and Howard were continuing these as usual. Howard insisted that they returned to school immediately. After the last couple of days, the two boys had no complaints to returning to some normalcy.

Jarvis was going to drive the boys to the bus station. Maria was going to call to make sure they returned safely. All of them were at the door to see the two off. Maria hugged both of the boys, telling Rhodey to keep taking care of him, even inviting his family over for dinner. Howard watched with a blank expression as everyone said their tearful goodbyes. He made his was up to the car’s backseat window before Jarvis pulled off.

“Kid,” Howard sighed to himself, feeling like a complete idiot. “You’ve got a good thing going at MIT. Don’t screw it up.”

“Yes, sir,” Anthony mumbled, not really looking at his father.

“I love you. Your mother loves you. Don’t do anything stupid because you don’t think you have a future. You clearly just saw you still have shit to do,” Howard grumbled like it killed him to do so. Anthony just stared at his father with wide eyes. Howard didn’t say anything else. He moved back from the car and indicated for Jarvis to drive off. Maria patted his shoulder when he walked back into the house.

“I see his little trip got to you,” Maria said.

“Well, he’s haunting me even after my death. I figured I should put an end to it now.”

“Pepper, it wasn’t even my fault this time. It was totally Strange’s,” Tony defended himself as soon as he saw his wife. She rolled her eyes and pecked his lips before pulling him into a tight hug. “I was really concerned about our reservations.”

“Shut up, Tony,” Pepper smiled into his shoulder. “You’re going to drive me insane.” She pulled back to give the same treatment to Peter and Morgan. “How was your vacation?”

“Amazing! I love Nonna!” Morgan then went on to explain everything that was great about Maria Stark. After Morgan’s little spiel was done, Pepper turned to Peter.

“It was cool. I’m taller than Tony was at my age,” Peter said, making Tony roll his eyes. “But I forgot everything I studied for, and now I have to make up my physics test,” Peter pouted.

It was later that night when Peter stumbled upon Tony in the kitchen with a glass of water. He had meant to go visit Aunt May’s, but they ended up returning too late. She advised him to just come by tomorrow.

“Uh, Tony?” Peter called out quietly. Tony turned and smiled at Peter.

“What’s up, champ?” Peter opened his mouth multiple times before he was able to get the words together that he wanted to say.

“You’re a great dad.” Tony didn’t know how to respond. “Not that you weren’t before, it’s just…After I met your dad, I kind of realized that I took you for granted—”

“You don’t take me for granted, Pete. I’m supposed to do the cool things I do for you, like help you study for your physics test,” Tony teased quietly. Peter laughed and shrugged.

“Yeah, but I don’t really tell you how grateful I am for it, especially since you don’t really have to be…” They both knew that Peter was referring to his unofficial adoptive status.

“Pete, you’re mine in all the ways that count. I love you. You know that.” Unlike his father, Tony wasn’t afraid to show his affection. He pulled Peter into a hug since the boy was clearly feeling vulnerable.

“I love you too,” Peter mumbled. “Thank you for randomly showing up in my apartment.” Tony snorted.

“Thank you for giving me a million heart attacks when you get yourself into some danger,” Tony responded.