Peter
It’s been a week after Hulk’s powerful snap, everyone who got affected by the decimation returns. Everyone celebrated except for two people. Peter Quill is still grieving for Gamora’s death and Tony Stark, his Peter is physically back but his Soul is lost somewhere. Tony is not a religious person, but right now he pleas and prays to every deity to have his beloved Peter back, to open those beautiful doe eyes that he loves staring at, for eternity.
If it is not for Steve, Natasha and Bruce’s insistence that they will take turns in watching over Peter’s condition. Tony will not move from his seat. “Tony, you smell like dump garbage. You are sleep deprived. Peter wouldn’t want you to look like that when he wakes up” Natasha patted his back.
Tony is already sleep deprived for 5 years. He has unending nightmares, all about Peter dying in his arms. He thought by being fully in power in Stark Industries again it will help his resolve, building different types of his Ironman Armor to help others, even improving Stark Industries tech for cleaning the environment, those activities that might help him reduce his stress, his anxiety, and Panic Attacks. Making himself slaving at his work. He even religiously visits a psychiatrist and even Banner pays him a visit to his private residence, to check on this sanity. Everyday that he looks in the mirror he is getting older, more of his wrinkles are showing.
“I will always love those wrinkles of yours, Tony. You look hotter” Peter will always mitigate his insecurities and kissed them.
Peter is already here, he is back. Thanks to Tony’s expertise they were able to create a flawless, Time Machine. But why this way? He was able to help return everyone back, but his Peter did not return to him on what he was supposed to be.
Tony just gives in to everyone’s plea. He has to take care of himself, for Peter. Even Pepper deeply understands what he’s been going through “Tony, you are flagging...just take a break” the billionaire just deflates, dispirited and withdraws to his private quarters. They are perturbed about Tony’s wellbeing.
Peter receives visitors everyday and they leave gifts and trinkets beside his bed and offer a little talk, even the opposite will never respond. Even the people who truly knows his identity, can’t do anything.
Janet Van Dyne tried to use her Quantum Healing on Peter, but it never worked “There is something in him that it is so hard to explicate. An energy source much stronger, but it is in disarray. I am so sorry Tony” despite the differences with Howard Stark before, Janet and Hank sympathize with Howard’s Son and his Fiance. “Kid, we will be here if you need anything” a firm squeeze on Tony’s shoulders and the other just nodded, being grateful of their sincerity.
Tony is grateful for Hank Pym, if not for his Pym particles. They would not be able to do the impossible. At the drop of a hat, the scientist will be there. For Tony. Differences already set aside.
Even the God of Thunder who visits Peter occasionally, just tells him a funny tale of his adventures. About his Mother whom he met during their time travel, and about Jane. But at the end of a short story, the Asgardian King will just leave and ruffles the boy’s hair “We will see each other again chosen one, you have to wake up from your slumber. Your betrothed misses you deeply ”.
“How’s Peter?” Natasha is holding his little spiderling brother’s hands. It is warm, Peter looks so vulnerable.
“The same Nat. His vitals are still concordant. I wish I could do more” the big guy sat on the opposite also holding Peter’s hand. His small hands still emit warm temperature, it is soothing. Bruce works like a burning midnight oil, thinking of ways to save Peter. The boy grew on him, like a little Brother. His wits, intelligence and dealing with a person like Tony, it is the kid's natural talent.
Peter stood to Tony, despite the media schmoozing around them.
Both of them sat in silence.
“He doesn’t deserve this. The kid is the life of our team don’t you think? He is Tony’s world” both of them got distracted as Steve entered the room.
Steve just sat at the edge of the bed and placed a hand on Peter’s leg, caressing it slowly “Hey Pete, I hope you can hear me, hear us, wherever you are. We are very worried about Tony. Can you please open your eyes? Not for us, but for Tony” Steve knows that the kid would not respond, but talking to a person in a coma can help hopefully.
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As everything went back to normal, Carol Danvers decided to leave Earth to check on other planets if they also share the same fate of the reverse.
“Are you going to stay here for a while Starfox?” inquired by the human-Kree superhero.
“Yes, I have to for the meantime. My little brother needs my help” his frown got deeper, intricating that he wants to say something but having second thoughts, if it is such a good idea.
A week has passed and he only got a glimpse of his Brother. Lying in the medbay helpless. He looks extremely mortal. His features are very far off, of what he originally looks like 200 years ago - angelic, eternal, powerful, a deity. Despite the changes, he is still beautiful in human standards. Everyday when he passed by on that area, Tony Stark is always there, yearning always shines in his eyes and sometimes self-loathing from the human genius.
He has to do something. Maybe, his cosmic energy will help his brother’s consciousness back in the land of the living.
One night when he was doing his meditation on a private quarter provided for him, he was suddenly teleported in another dimension.
“Prince Eros, older brother of his majesty Zoel the name bears the meaning of life. We need your help” an audible voice can be heard somewhere he can’t pinpoint. But another set of voices resonates and it became all clear. As he opens his eyes he is in a place where time is frozen, buildings are elevated and it reminds him of their former home planet - Titan, and along with it are 6 figures. That he can’t quite catch a name of who they are but they look familiar, when he found his voice “Who are you?” scrutinizing every figure in front of him.
“We are the Infinity Stones, we do not have much time but we believe you can pull him out of darkness, and Tony Stark. Someone is controlling us from a different timeline and this is all we could do. Please save him” and with that, he is struck by a bright light and now he is back to his room.
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Starfox decided to do things discreetly. With his cosmic manipulation, he can make himself undetected.
When he reached the medbay, he found Tony Stark asleep beside his brother. He made sure that Friday will not alert the person in the room of his presence. So he cloaked himself.
He first went to Tony Stark’s side. He looks so tired, aged, white hairs on the side are quite visible and even in his sleep, the crease of worries etched through his forehead and deepening wrinkles are clearly seen. He looks like a bit under the weather. The Titan felt a sincere commiseration to the person that his Brother loved the most in the world. With his cosmic energy, he lightly touched the man’s forehead without waking him up and let the surge of energy flowed within his every cell. He wishes for his brother and this wonderful person to be together longer, and for that he de-aged Tony, but only Peter will activate its enchantment. For he knows that Peter’s Celestial and Eternal blood had already resurfaced. And for that reason, he will age very very slowly. They will be together longer.
“I know how you deeply love my brother and I am grateful for that, he was not able to have it in his time in Titan. Thanos gave him false hope, false love, everything is lies. I was not able to protect him from that wretch. This is what I can give to you, let us make this my advance wedding gift” he said it in an audible voice.
He moved next to Peter, wires is connected through his temples. His heart, everywhere to monitor his vitals. Although he doesn’t understand any of it. Or just have no current interest in the science side of things.
Starfox reached for his little brothers belly to remove the kind of protection that has been laid upon, but he still made a barrier to protect the child - he also learned that it is not one but two - this will make Peter glow more and radiant and it also made him smile to have a lil nephew/niece of his own - a family. He moved it further through his heart and through his head, emitting tremendous amounts of energy. Peter is glowing. When he stopped at his forehead, he was profusely taken aback. Peter’s mind is in Pandemonium, the monster inside is daunting. But the great Titan will never falter, he will fight back. He was born to have this audacity to do everything for the sake of the greater good.
It took hours for him, to return pieces of a puzzle to Peter’s mind. He feels drained out “Zoel no Peter Benjamin Parker, my little Brother. I did what I have to do. Now it is up to him” looking to Tony Stark, full of hope and conviction.
“Tony Stark, you need to dream just a little. I want my brother to wake up in a beautiful fairytale with you” and after that, he left the medbay.
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Tony never had a beautiful dream for a very long time after that mishap. But tonight he dreamt of him and Peter, in a beautiful garden where the ocean can be overlooked. It’s their home in Malibu. The billionaire had it reconstructed after it had been destroyed by Eric Savin.
As he walked in through the garden he could see, rubbles of toys. He could hear laughing, but the most prominent one was Peter’s.
He is having a tickle fight with two over hyper kids. “Daddyyyyyy! Attack!” the little girl with the same doe eyes as Peter ran towards him, asking for a lift and he obliged and the baby girl not more than 3 attacked him with kisses. The feeling is so warm, and his gaze switched to Peter. His smile is so dazzling and with him a little boy which reminds of his younger self. He joined his little family, having their picnic. He kissed Peter on his lips in a chaste way, and the little spiderlings kissed Tony on his cheeks, wriggling with excitement.
Peter was saying something to him…..but it’s inaudible.
How he misses those warm, soft lips.
“Tony, Tony….you have to wake up” Bruce is shaking the billionaire a bit forcibly, although it was never intentional, it is due to his hulk strength.
In a matter of minutes the billionaire rouse “What’s the matter, Bruce?’.
“Peter’s, brain activity is changing Tony. Friday can you please scan Peter”.
“Absolutely Doctor Banner, Mr.Parker’s brain activity has sparked up from vegetative state to minimally conscious state, he might be able to hear but could possibly respond in a minimal way, such as minimal movement of the eye and hand. I have also detected two life forms on Mr.Parker, and they are in a healthy state. They are on their 2nd week. Try to speak with him Boss”.
Tony’s heart raced, he will not have one but also two. And Peter is slowly going back to him. Tears of happiness poured freely from his tear ducts. And he remembered his dream vividly “Oh Petey, you gave me such a wonderful gift you know” and without any second thoughts, he kissed Peter lovingly, hands in his Fiance’s growing belly. Bruce, smiling at the corner happy for his friend and Peter’s improvement.
After a longing kiss, Tony rested his forehead on Peter’s and he could feel the warmth of Peter’s breathing “Petey, wake up soon. I missed you terribly” and he gave another short chaste kiss on his spiderling and suddenly he felt a little electricity flowing over him. Hope ignited in his heart and some kind of new energy. As the kiss ended, a small gasp can be heard from Peter.
The billionaire’s eyes grew wide “Peter? Baby?”.
And slowly those beautiful doe eyes that he hasn’t seen in 5 years opened. They were so pretty. And Tony fell in love deeply all over again, tears still in his eyes.
He held Peter’s face intricately, studying every feature. While those eyes looked at him curiously, it was like Peter is still in a daze. His hands tracing Tony’s every feature, his wrinkles, his eyes, his hair, even his goatee that he loves so much that it makes him tickle everytime they do their lovemaking.
“Peter baby, please speak to me”.
And Peter smiled, voice hoarse “My king, you saved me” Tony reached for his hand and kissed it lovingly “Of course, you are the only one I lived for Peter….I’m so…..I’m so…..” and with that he hugged his spiderling tightly, Peter could feel Tony’s silent sobs, soaking his shoulder with tears, he is shaking all those pent up emotions are now flowing freely…”Shhh….I am here, look at me, Tony”.
Bruce, who is watching at the corner of the sweet reunion can’t help to have a little tear in his eyes.
Tony raised his head and looked at his Peter once again “Mr. Tony Stark, you look so young….” he smiled warmly still caressing his beloved’s face, that he misses so much.
“What are you talking about Pete? I aged. I am 53 now. You are the one who didn’t age. So unfair. Right, Bruce?” he light-heartedly chuckled.
Bruce Banner was suddenly baffled “Tony what the hell?”.
“What?”.
“No kidding Stark, here’s a mirror” Bruce, gave Tony a mirror and when he saw his face he was stunned, he looks like his 35ish-year-old self.
“This is impossible, what? What happened? Friday can you scan me?”.
A light scanned Tony Stark’s whole framework “Anthony Edward Stark, born May 29, 1970. Current age 53 years old, but your physiology and physical appearance are of a 35-year-old young adult stage” Tony were just stunned. He feels weird, he should be happy if he became younger again. He can still have more time with Peter and their children.
“I think there is something to do with you glowing earlier when you kissed Peter” it was Bruce who breaks Tony from his trance.
“Honey, did you do this to me?” Tony faced Peter who is still gawking at him and the Teen just gave him a sudden questioning look.
“I don’t know Tony. I missed you” he grabbed the billionaire’s hand and kissed it lovingly.
“Peter, what was the last thing that you remember?” Bruce kneeled in front of the teen who is still a bit dazed.
“What happened to you, Doctor Banner? I….everything is in a haze..like I am floating somewhere in an infinite universe….I am not sure….” Peter suddenly feel an incoming headache trying to remember things, and Bruce didn’t push the subject for now. The kid just woke up and he still needs rest.
“Take a rest Peter, and we will talk later okay? I will administer dextrose to you, so that you will keep hydrated” Peter just simply nodded and switched his attention to Tony, with a look of yearning. He still feels weak though.
Unconsciously, he moved their intertwined hands on his belly. With happy tears on their eyes.
“You knew?” Tony asked.
“Yeah for a while, I was about to tell you when we were talking at Central Park, while we discussed about our wedding when you brought up the idea of adopting. But I don’t have the time when Dr.Strange suddenly showed up and the fight with Thanos and me...dying” Tony flinched when he heard the last part “You know I can’t believe that I could bear, but maybe having a mutant gene has its perks. Are you happy Tony?”.
“I am in pure bliss right now. We will still keep the name Morgan, right? You know how I like Pepper’s Uncle. He is so eccentric” Tony looks at Peter for approval.
“Of course Love” the billionaire hummed in happiness and kissed Peter’s belly “But Petey we have two, so we have to think of another name” and with that Peter’s eyes suddenly widened at a new revelation “We got two?”.
“Yeah, Petey. You don’t know?” the teen just shook his head.
“Well, Friday scanned you and there. You don’t like it?” and a frown showed in his face. And with that Peter laughs and grabbed Tony for another kiss “Of course I like it, you have to deal with two energetic spiderlings and me”.
“Oh I have to deal with broken things at home Honey” both of them laughed at that and Tony remembered his dream earlier. Peter still looks tired. “Baby, I know you are still tired. Just take a rest, okay?”.
“But…” he was about to protest.
“No, don't argue with me, darling. I will be here when you wake up. It’s time for me to call our friends who are so worried about you. Maybe we should have a party and an early baby shower? Hmm?” Tony is already setting up his tab, and commanded Friday to do some calls for him.
“Okay, I love you so much Anthony Edward Stark. You are like a Prince who woke me up from slumber. But I prefer calling you my king. Don't forget the cakes by the way” he smiled sheepishly.
“I love you too so much Peter Benjamin Parker. Soon to be Mr.Stark. Who would have thought that your awakening is like a Disney fairytale Princess”.
“Dork. Can you sing for me please?” who can resist those puppy eyes.
Tony sang again with a different song though, and with that Peter fell asleep, Tony planted a kiss on his forehead and will watch over him till he wakes up.
"Friday, we need a cake. Tell Romanoff and Steve to come here, oh Rhodey as well. We need to do some preparations for a big party".
"On it boss".
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“Father, I am ready to open the portal now. Everything is on set”.
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“Not yet, let them enjoy and celebrate their moment. While it last”.