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fandomfanfics12 · 7 years ago

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Another Universe

Title: another universe

Pairings: Steve x tony, wade x peter, Sam x Bucky, Natasha x Clint, Wanda x Vision

Warnings: angst, fluff, profanity, vomiting, a little abuse.

Author's note: It's super long. Almost 10K. I didn't mean for it to be this long, it was meant to be short but then I wrote it and I know I could have split it up into two parts but I just wanted it to be one thing. Anyway I like it and I hope you do to.

Summary: when a mission goes wrong tony finds himself sent to another universe, where'd everything is identical to his own, except he isn't married to Steve and peter isn't his son and almost everything good and important in Tony's life is wrong and twisted in this one. __________________________________________________

Tony woke up to find his sleeping husband's face was merely inches away from his. A small smile broke out, he could hear Peter cooking in the kitchen, talking with the other avengers. Things were good, better than good. For a while it had felt as though things would never be good again. Fighting with Steve had been awful, but now that they were together and sorted through everything, they were stronger than before. A smile crept onto Steve's face and he opened his eyes to see Tony already looking at him. "Morning." He said with a raspy voice. "Morning." Tony pressed a kiss to Steve's mouth before getting out of bed. "Where are you going?" Steve groaned and grabbed Tony's hand. "Coffee is in the kitchen." Steve frowned. "Coffee can wait." Nobody ever really saw this clingy side to Steve, it only was brought out in the mornings. "Peter is cooking breakfast." Tony countered. "But the bed is warm!" Tony rolled his eyes and kissed Steve's forehead. "Time to get up old man." Steve sighed and let go of Tony's hand. With a smirk, Tony walked out and made his way to the kitchen. "Oh god!" Tony put a hand over his eyes when he saw Peter mid-makeout with his boyfriend Wade. He could tell he'd forgotten about breakfast because he could smell smoke. "Sorry dad." Peter mumbled. Tony rolled his eyes and poured himself a cup of coffee. "Good morning." Steve said as he strolled into the kitchen. "Morning pops." Peter scraped out something that resembled burnt pancakes from his pan and poured batter into another clean one. "Did you get a good night's sleep?" Steve asked. "Yeah, did you?" Steve nodded and drank some of Tony's coffee. "How are you Wade?" Steve was ever so polite. "Fine." Wade had gone slightly red and Tony rolled his eyes. "Where is everyone else?" Tony asked and took his coffee back from Steve. "Dunno, still sleeping?" Suspicious. Tony checked his phone and saw he'd received a text from Fury. "Shit." "What's wrong?" Steve was wide eyed and Tony showed him the text. "Duty calls." He sighed. Peter began to turn off the stove but Tony shook his head. "Uh-uh. You two stay right here, don't make me send Natasha to baby sit." Tony warned. "Dad-" "Tony's right Peter. Plus you have school." Peter groaned but nodded and headed back to his room. Wade trailed after him. _______________________________________ Thanos had sent an mini army to attack the city, Steve and Tony got there as quick as possible, only to land in the middle of the fight. Every avenger was occupied with a soldier. Steve and Tony instantly jumped into battle, Tony shot a jet of energy which rebounded from Steve's shield to take out some soldiers. They continued fighting, slowly getting the numbers to dwindle. Tony shot more energy beams at them, punching and kicking and clawing his way through them all. Until he came across one holding a staff. It waved the staff around and Tony shot off an energy beam, only to be hit by one himself. He grunted as he flew back, hearing Steve's scream as he blacked out. _______________________________________ Tony woke up in the avengers compound. A sigh of relief passed through his lips as he sat up. If he was here then they had survived, they had won. He looked around and found nobody waiting for him. It was strange, Steve was always so protective. Whenever tony got hurt he would growl at anyone who got too close, would not leave Tony's bedside until he woke up. Tony grunted as he stood, a bandage was wrapped around his side. He'd taken a pretty bad hit. He limped out of the room and through the compound. Running into Rhodey. "Where is everyone?" Tony asked.

"So now you deem me worthy talking too?" Rhodey snapped. "What?"

"Don't play dumb for me Tony. We all understand that you're superior." Tony's brows furrowed. "I don't understand-" "Wow, that's low. Even for you." Rhodey shook his head and stormed off. Tony shook it off, he had to find Steve. Tony twisted the wedding band on his left hand, finally making it to his room. He walked in and it looked the same. Except there was no wedding photo on the bedside table and no pictures of Pete anywhere. What the hell is going on? Had something happened between the battle and waking up? Was tony forgetting things? "Steve?" Tony called out but got no answer. Instead he found vision who came in. "Is there a problem?" "Where the hell is Steve? And Peter?" "Peter?" Vision raised a brow. "My son? He's a teenager, Spider-Man and is about this tall." Tony motioned for Peter's height and waited for Vision's response. "You must have hit your head when you fell sir, you don't have a son." Tony's heart began to race. No Peter? "Where's Steve?" Steve would know, Steve would help. "Brooklyn, you kicked him out. Along with Mr Wilson, Mr Barnes, Wanda, Miss Romanoff, Mr Barton, Thor and Mr Banner. Rhodey is packing his things up as we speak." Tony's brows furrowed. "Why would I-" "I don't know. You're a bit arrogant tony. But that is beside the point, I think we should get your head checked out. I'm concerned about the whole son situation." Tony shook his head. "My head is fine. Where in Brooklyn? I need Steve's address." Vision told him, Tony wasted no time in getting to the garage. _______________________________________

Tony arrived at the apartment building where Steve was living. He rushed inside and ran up several flights of stairs before banging on the door. Why had Steve moved out? Why would he have done that? Why didn't they have Peter? The door opened up and Tony saw Sharon standing there. "What are you doing here?" She asked cooly. Tony didn't miss the engagement ring on her finger. "I need to see Steve." Her brows furrowed. "Why?" "I need to talk to him it's important-" "Who is it?" Steve. Tony relaxed slightly at the sound of his voice. It would be okay. Steve would explain, Steve would listen, Steve would know- "Tony?" He sounded disgusted. Tony stared into those blue eyes and his jaw fell open slightly. He looked repulsed to see him, what had happened? "What happened? Where is Peter, why do you live here-" "Who the hell is peter?" His heart stopped. "What?" "Who the hell is peter?" Steve repeated. "Our son." Tony stuttered and Steve raised his brows. "Why would we have a son?" Steve demanded and Tony swallowed the lump in his throat. This wasn't happening. How did Steve not know Peter? What the hell had happened to him? "Because we're married." Tony waited and Steve just stared at him, utterly disgusted. "This is some sick joke Tony. I was willing to hear you out but now-" Steve shook his head. "Steve wait-" but Steve slammed the door in his face. Non caring. Tony's heart pounded in his chest. Something had gone very very wrong. ________________________________________

Steve cried out as Tony was hit with a bolt of energy and then disappeared. Along with thanos's army. They all vanished. "What just happened?" Wanda asked, concerned about the disappearance. But Steve looked around with wide eyes, where had Tony gone? His heart pounded in his chest as he spun in circles. "Steve?" Nat asked softly. "He's gone." Steve whispered and Nat swore as she looked for him and couldn't find him anywhere. "Tony!" She called out but there was no response. The rest of the avengers noticed his disappearance and called out his name. But he had vanished just like thanos's army had. Steve thought back to that morning. The simplicity of waking up to his husband's smiling face. To Peter cooking breakfast with Wade and stealing Tony's coffee. How perfect those few precious moments were. Oh god. What am I going to tell Peter? Steve was suddenly aware of how much he desperately needed Tony. He couldn't tell Peter. How was he supposed to say that his dad vanished along with an alien army? "Maybe he went back home." Rhodey offered half heartedly. But Steve had seen it. But for a moment he allowed the hope in. That maybe he hadn't seen it, maybe Tony had gone home. To check on Peter. To have breakfast waiting when they all got back. As unrealistic as it seemed, maybe he'd be waiting for them. _______________________________________

Tony wasn't waiting for them, but Peter was. He hadn't left for school yet and Wade had gone back to his house. "Pops?" Peter's brows furrowed and he looked around for tony. "Where's dad?" Steve swallowed the lump in his throat. "He took a hit. In the fight, then he disappeared. I don't know where." Steve mumbled. "What do you mean he disappeared?" "He just vanished Pete. He's gone." Peter shook his head. "That's bull shit. Where is he-" "I don't know!" Steve shouted and Peter flinched. He sighed and rubbed his eyes. "I don't know." Tears streamed down Steve's face and a sob racked out of him. Tony was gone. Peter hugged Steve and they clung to one another. "We'll find him." Peter whispered. But Steve wasn't so sure. __________________________________________ When Tony returned to the compound he found Sam waiting. "Your royal highness." Sam gave him a mock bow and Tony sighed. "I've been getting this crap all day, what the hell did I do?" He demanded. "So suddenly you're not smart enough to have all the answers? You really love to drive things home." Sam shook his head. "Why aren't you with Bucky?" Tony demanded and Sam raised a brow. "Why would I be with Bucky?" He asked. "Because you're together?" Sam snorted. "That is hilarious. But I hate Bucky and the feeling is mutual. The only person who is as much of a dick as Bucky is you." Tony raised his brows. "But-" "Vis mentioned that you hit your head, must've hit it pretty damn hard." "I didn't hit my head!" Tony shouted. What the hell had happened? Why was Steve repulsed by tony? Why weren't Steve and Tony together? Where was Peter? Why was Sam and Bucky enemies? Why had tony kicked everyone out? "Then what's wrong with you? Vis said you thought you had a son-" "I do have a son! His name is Peter! He's got brown hair and brown eyes and is sarcastic and he's a teenager and his whole family is dead!" Tony shouted. "Is this why you lost it at everyone? Because you have a son?" Tony rubbed his face. He had no recollection of "losing it" at everyone. But Sam looked almost ready to forgive him. "Yes. And I'm sorry but i don't know where he is and-" "Does Pepper know?" "Pepper?" Tony's brows furrowed. "Your wife?" Tony glanced down to the wedding band. He was married to Pepper? "No." Tony said after a while. "So you've been lying to everyone." Tony nodded. "I need to find my son." Maybe Peter could explain. "When did he go missing?" Sam asked. Tony opened his mouth to answer but found himself speechless. He had no clue, for however long Tony had been out. For however long Peter had seemingly ceased to exist in the avengers memories.

"I don't know. I don't know." Tony began to sob. He was suddenly overwhelmed with the ache of how much he missed his husband and his son. He didn't know what had happened and now they were both gone. Peter wasn't there and Steve hated him, and he had no idea as to how it had happened. How had he lost them both? ________________________________________ Steve combed through the news, watching any and every recording of the fight. He kept his eyes on Tony the final blast before he vanished. But in every video, Tony was out of frame just before he vanished. No sign of how or where he went. "Dammit." It was two in the morning. But Steve couldn't sleep. Or eat. Hell, Steve couldn't think straight without Tony. He toyed with his wedding band and glanced at the photo Tony had proudly placed on his bedside table. The wedding photo where Steve was all red in the face and tony gave him a kiss on the cheek. The other avengers had tried talking to him but nothing had worked. Nothing would work until he found Tony. Steve's eyes continuously dropped, he was exhausted but the idea of sleep was almost too much. He sighed and crawled onto Tony's side of the bed. He inhaled the scent of Tony and smiled. It was almost as if he were right there. Steve breathed it all in again. And then he was crying again. Where are you Tony? Where did you go? Why did you leave? He clung to the pillow as if it were Tony himself. Come back to me. Come back to our family. Please just come back home. _______________________________________ Tony spent the next couple days searching for Peter. He made peace with the other avengers and they one by one moved back into the compound. Steve and Sharon were the last to do so. Apparently he had hit his head and it was how the avengers got passed the whole married to Steve thing. Pepper was away on a business trip and Tony was grateful. The idea of having to pretend to be in love with her... Tony shuddered. Pepper was a friend nothing more. Natasha watched Tony like a hawk, glaring and frowning at him constantly. It was strange that she was only clint's friend. They had gotten married too. "Is this him?" Steve asked hesitantly and handed Tony a picture. Trust Steve to find their son. Tony smiled softly and felt pure and unending relief. "Peter." He breathed and Steve smiled at the obvious joy on Tony's face. "He lives in Queens. But currently he's at school-" Tony read over Steve's shoulder. He read over it once, twice, thrice and then nodded

"I'll be back later.." he told Steve. He immediately drove to Pete's school and spoke with the principal. After donating an incredible amount of money to the school, the principal strode off to get Peter. Tony waited nervously, surely Peter would know. Surely Peter could explain, he would know what to do. Would explain as to how everything had gone wrong. "Mr Stark?" Peter asked and seemed a little star struck. "Hey Pete." There was a softness to Tony's voice that he only had with Peter and Steve. "Peter." The correction was like a knife to the heart. "Can we talk in private?" After the principal got Peter's nod of approval he left. "Do you know who I am?" Tony asked. "You're Tony Stark, you're iron man and a billionaire and you run Stark industries and-" and Tony wasn't peters dad. "I'm going crazy." All signs pointed to it. He must have hit his head really hard. Because he thought that this stranger was his son, that Steve was his husband, that sam and Bucky were together and that Clint and Natasha were married. He was an asshole, that much was clear. And to make up for it his brain had concocted an entirely fake past to make Tony change. To make him feel better. "Mr Stark?" Peter looked a little afraid. "Do you know a Wade Wilson?" Please. "Yeah. But he's a bad guy, I do my best to stay away from him." Tony hung his head in resignation. Hadn't it only been a couple days ago when he caught Peter making out with Wade in his kitchen? He really was going crazy. "I'm sorry to bother you kid, have a good day." Peter furrowed his brows and then left. Tony left too and didn't bother returning to the avengers compound. He needed to clear his head. ____________________________________________ Peter was refusing to go to school and Steve was getting worried. "Pete you've gotta go-" "It's been over a week pops. We haven't heard anything from Dad! There's been nothing and I'm not going to waste time at school-" "Your dad would want you to be at school Peter. When he gets home he'll kick my ass if he finds out you skipped school. I'll let you know the second I hear anything. I promise." But Peter shook his head. "Dad is missing. He is gone and I'm not wasting my time with algebraic equations and quadratic formulas when I could be helping-" "Peter you're going to school. Be a normal teenager, go to school and hang out with Wade. When your dad gets home he's going to want to hear all about it." Peter frowned. "Please don't make me." "Peter. Listen, your dad is coming home. He's coming back to us alright? He wouldn't just up and leave. I swear that you're not wasting your time. And as soon as you get home you can help out alright?" Peter nodded. "The second you hear something you call me. Understand?" Steve nodded and then Peter sighed. He nodded and then left for school without another word. I really need you to come home now tony. ________________________________

When Peter was at school he got bullied, when he started dating Wade the bullying mostly stopped for a while. But things were getting bad again. "Hey Pete, how are you?" Wade wrapped his arms around Peter and for a moment Peter allowed himself to enjoy the moment. "Still nothing, things are getting pretty bad at home. Everyone is tense and fighting and I don't know what to do." Peter ran a hand through his hair. It was all over the news. Everyone was talking about how iron man had vanished with no word. Some people said he was evil and others said he had died. Peter didn't know which was worse, the idea that his dad was evil and had abandoned them or the idea that he was dead. "You shouldn't have to do anything. Don't worry your dad is gonna come back." Wade promised. "Everyone keeps telling me that." "I'm sensing a but." "But if it were true then why is everyone so worried?" Wade had no answer. "You should come over to my place after school, we can hang out and I'll help you destress. One night of relaxing won't kill you." Wade offered. "I've gotta help out at home-" "Please!" Wade pouted and Peter sighed. "One night. But then I've gotta help out until-" "Yeah yeah and I'll keep helping out too." "Wait what?" Peter stopped Wade mid walk on their way to class. "I've been helping out with the research. Annoyed the crap out of Natasha to do so-" "What have you gotten so far?" "Not a lot. But we're not going over it today. You already promised." Peter sighed but nodded. They reached Peter's math class and peter wanted to run in the opposite direction. "I'll see you later." Wade kissed Peter for a long moment before pulling away to go to his own class. Peter walked into the math room and found a penis was drawn in permanent marked on his desk. "Penis Parker finally arrives." Flash taunted. Peter swallowed back the lump and knew it was about to be a very long day. "Did you see the news this morning?" Peter overheard as he sat down at his desk. "What happened?" "Apparently the avengers are all splitting up. Because Tony Stark is evil and now they don't know who to trust. Apparently Captain America has gone insane-" the kid continued talking and peter clenched his jaw. He couldn't tell them they were wrong. His family had made it clear from a young age that it would be best if nobody knew who Peter's dads were. The drama that would ensue if it ever got out... peter shuddered at the thought. But it was still agonising to hear other people whisper about his family. "Oh and apparently the black widow cheated on hawk eye with falcon which started a big fight-" that one was harder to ignore. As if Nat could ever cheat on Clint, or Sam on Bucky. These people were full of so much shit-the teacher called out his name and Peter looked up. "Sorry sir?" People sniggered at Peter's ignorance. "Violating school property is worth suspension Peter. Go to the principals office." Peter opened his mouth to argue but merely shut it and stormed out. He was so angry that his spider senses didn't even notice as flash stuck out his foot and sent Peter sprawling to the ground. Peter grunted and glared at him before getting up and storming out. He could still hear people laughing in the hallway. ________________________________________

Tony had slowly gained knowledge of what he had done. It had been a month and a half since he'd woken up to this life. And adjusting had been horrible. He slept on the couch though, despite Pepper's protests. He wasn't ready for that. Bruce examined his brain regularly, trying to work out what was wrong. Didn't they understand that Tony wasn't the problem here? The worst part was how Steve avoided him constantly. His wedding was fast approaching and everyone was expecting Tony to go. But the idea of it was almost too much. He toyed with his wedding band, supposedly given to him by pepper. But he remembered Steve slipping it onto his finger. Remembered how Steve suggested adoption, remembered Peter taking his first steps, remembered learning that Peter was dating Wade. He remembered a life so vividly and he wasn't even sure if it was real anymore. Sleeping was the worst, he kept reliving that morning. Waking up with Steve, catching Peter and Wade, Steve stealing his coffee. It was almost as though it were a dream now. Tony had suffered from bumps on the head before but never had they resulted in this. That blast of energy... it had done this to him. And now he was going insane. Tony shook his head. He married Steve. They adopted Peter. Peter was in love with Wade. Clint and Natasha were married. Sam and Bucky were together. It was real. It had to be real. Because of all the things in Tony's life, he was certain of that. Certain that he loved Steve. His husband. Steve was in Tony's room now. He leaned against the doorway and studied Tony in a way that was all too familiar. "You're different." Steve murmured. "What do you mean?" Steve was his husband. Peter was there son. "You've changed. I know Tony. You're not him." "I don't understand." "You're not Tony. Tony is arrogant and an ass and he kicked us all out. He told us to all go to hell, that we were all ignorant and useless." Steve studied Tony again. "Sorry." Tony mumbled. "And he never apologised. Tony Stark wasn't wrong. Ever. So are you Hydra? Another project designed to mess with us? Explain." "I'm not a project. I'm certainly not Hydra-" "Then what?" "You really don't remember?" Tony asked. "Remember what?" Steve demanded. "Peter." "We've been through this Tony-" "No! I'm over the whole bump on the head! It's been more than a month! I know that they're looking for me! I can feel it. Something happened to you guys or to me- I don't know! But we were a family! I'm certain of it." Steve narrowed his eyes. "It's like you lived a completely different life." Steve mumbled. Tony froze. "Say that again." "It's like you lived a completely different life." Steve repeated, more clearly. Tony thought back to the blast. He'd taken a hit and had been sent flying back. His grip on consciousness had been loose. But maybe he had been sent into another life. Another universe. An alternate one. Tony pulled out a tablet and began researching. Slowly growing more and more sure. The multiverse theory. Where every decision a person face created a new and different universe. There was a universe where Steve was his husband and where Peter was their kid. "Oh this is bad." Tony mumbled. "what?" "How the hell am I gonna get home?" Tony wondered aloud. By the time he worked it out it could be another year, by then he'd be assumed dead. _______________________________________

Peter returned back to school and the bullying was only getting worse. Horrifically worse. Wade still had no clue as to what was going on. When Peter got back to school, he found flash waiting for him. "Enjoy your time off?" Flash asked. It had been hell. Steve had grounded him and yelled for more than an hour. Then concluded that Peter could help find Tony. It was fun at first, working beside his pops. But the fun quickly vanished and now it had been three months and there was nothing. The rumours only got worse. "It was great." Peter lied. "Good. Oh and by the way, sorry about your boyfriend." Peter's brows furrowed but he ignored the comment and walked inside the school. It wouldn't have bothered him but everyone was staring and whispering. "Do you think he knows?" "Wonder if Wade told him." "Penis Parker's gonna cry." "Did you hear about Wade?" "Wade is gonna break his heart." Peter tried to block it out but his spider senses ensured it all drilled in to his head. He sorted through his locker and grabbed his phone. Where are you? Peter hesitated before sending the text but ultimately did so. At long last Wade leaned against the locker next to Peter's and the first thing Peter noticed was the bruises. Not on his face but on his neck. "Do I want to know?" He asked and heard his voice shake. The hallway was getting quieter as people pretended that they weren't listening. "Can we talk? In private?" Peter's stomach churned. It was bad then. He slammed his locker shut and followed Wade to the bathroom. Once sure it was empty Wade locked the door. "I know how it looks-" "Do you?" Peter demanded and clenched his fists. "Its not what you think." Wade promised. "Then what is it?" Peter demanded. "Flash-" Peter closed his eyes. Wade hadn't spoken to him for a couple weeks and Peter had been worried. But he had had to stay home. "Of all people?" He asked with a shaky voice. "I tried pushing him away- Pete they spiked my drink and-" "And I'm supposed to believe that?" Wade sighed. "Fuck. I fucking hate them for this." Wade punched the wall and Peter felt sick. Partially for the fact that his relationship was unravelling before him but mainly for him being malnourished. He vomited in the sink. It wasn't long before the avengers realised that Tony bought all the groceries, held all the details for the bank accounts. All the passwords and codes. Leaving the avengers completely and utterly broke. They had no money and no way to support themselves. Peter bought groceries with some money he had gotten from his part time job- but that ran out quickly. Sam had some money which got them through for a while but then that ran out. They had nothing. "Have you been eating?" Wade seemed to notice just how skinny peter had gotten. "I don't want to talk about it." "Peter-" "It's none of your business Wade. My life is no longer any of your business." Peter snarled and Wade looked as though Peter had struck him. "Got it." Wade mumbled and then Peter vomited again. After a while he went to the nurse and got sent home. Only to return to a maelstrom of shouting and arguments. ___________________________________________

Steve stopped shouting in mid sentence when he noticed Peter in the doorway. They all stopped. "I thought you were at school." Steve mumbled. "I-" Peter then proceeded to projectile vomit on the floor. "Shouldn't have fed him so much." Bucky muttered and Steve glared at him. They were all barely surviving and not having Tony around made things so much worse. The others thought it was time Steve moved on. Everyone had grieved. Accepted it. But Steve couldn't. He continued researching combing through everything. Asked Friday to suggest places where Tony would go. "I'm gonna go back to bed." There was something wrong. "Do you want me to call Wade-" Sam began but Peter shook his head. "We broke up." Then slammed his bedroom door shut. They all stared at Steve and he sighed. What would Tony do? If the situation were reversed then Tony would have your ass home and would be taking care of everyone. Steve thought bitterly. Steve went into their room and walked into the wardrobe. No trace of Tony left. Like he had finally vanished from Steve's life. Along with it was every thing good. "This is when you come back to me baby." Steve whispered clinging to one of Tony's shirts. "Steve?" Steve sighed at the sound of Nat's voice. He hung up Tony's shirt and turned to face her. "What?" "It is hard. We're all struggling, but Peter is struggling too. He needs you and I know that you think he needs Tony but he just needs you." Steve sighed and nodded. "I'm just over everyone telling me that he's gone. That I need to move on." "I think that when you're ready, you'll move on. It'll take some time but it'll happen. Or it won't and you'll be hung up on Tony for the rest of your life. But I do think that he's gone. And that he isn't coming back." "But he's my husband. He's supposed to come back." Steve whispered. "If he's meant to come back. He will." Steve nodded. "I'm gonna talk to Peter." Nat nodded and left. Steve knocked on Peter's door. "Open up Pete. Come on, talk to me." After a while the door unlocked. Steve walked in and locked the door behind him. "What?" Peter asked, sounding as exhausted as Steve felt. "What happened." "I don't want to talk about it." "Peter." "If I start talking about im gonna start crying and with everything going on I don't think I'm gonna be able to stop." Peter whispered. "We're gonna get through this. We are getting through this." "You don't think he's coming back." "He is." "He's not. If he was coming back he would have. He would have at least contacted us. He isn't back yet so doesn't that tell you something?" "It tells me that he's trying but it's hard. Really hard. Because we may have lost him but he lost us too." "Wade cheated on me." "Really?" Steve was shocked, he never would've guessed it. "Well he says some kids spiked his drink, so really he wasn't actively cheating-" "How far did it go?" "I don't know. I didn't ask. I was vomiting." Steve sighed. Things really had gone to shit. "Are you going to talk to him again?" "I don't know. Maybe? Unlikely." "Am I supposed to move on now?" "No. Maybe? I don't know. Are you ready to move on?" Steve shook his head. "No. I don't think I'll ever be ready." There was nobody in the whole universe like Tony. And there never would be ever again. So Steve wouldn't be able to move on. Maybe ever. "Well I guess we'll just have to take it. One day at a time." ________________________________________

Tony explained his theory to the avengers and they slowly agreed with him. He was from an alternate universe. "So what's different in your universe?" Vision asked as Tony continued writing algorithms. "Uhh, you and Wanda are a thing. Clint and Nat, they're married. Sam and Bucky are also together. Steve and I are married and, as I have said repeatedly, have a son. Oh and Pepper quit her job a very long time ago." Tony scratched out the math and started again. "How did you get here?" "Got blasted by alien energy." "And you think math will send you back?" Tony sighed. No. He seriously doubted it. "Do you have a better option? Should I just wait around for the aliens and hope they blast me again?" Tony raised a brow. "How long have you been away?" Vision asked. Tony counted out the dates and frowned. "Almost seven months." He stared at the pyramid of scrunched up paper balls, day after day he wrote algorithms and built machines in hopes of sending him back. They all failed. He stared at the algorithm and realised it was the same as one he had already written. "Shit." He scrunched it up and started again. "Do they know? Your husband and son? Do they know you're here?" Tony shook his head. "I don't think so. I don't even know if they're all alive." It was something he hadn't wanted to think about. How he may have made it out and they might not have. Peter could think himself an orphan. That sent a bolt of panic through Tony. Was Peter even with the avengers? He shook his head and continued writing the algorithm. "What are you going to tell them? When you get home?" Tony squeezed his eyes shut. "I'm going to tell them how much I love them." The idea of being in Steve's arms, of having Peter cook them breakfast, of feeling happy again...Tony swallowed back the lump. He had to get home. Had to return back to them. _________________________________________

Peter and Wade avoided each other at all costs. And it hurt, it nearly killed Peter every time he saw Wade. Was reminded of vomiting in the bathroom, he alway had to resist beating the shit out of flash but that wasn't anything new. The avengers were back on their feet now and Steve worked out all the passwords to Tony's accounts. Peter was writing notes when a paper ball hit his head. He unfolded it and saw a picture of hangman with the words being Penis Parker. Peter glared at Flash and merely scrunched up the paper again. Breathe. Deep and calming breaths. He glanced to the front. This was the one class he shared with Wade. And he found Wade already watching him. Peter closed his eyes again and looked back down at his book. He continued writing notes when suddenly every phone in the room went off. Exploding with text messages, even Peter's phone. The teacher sighed and just continued to write notes. Everyone checked their phones. Only to see a video of Wade trying to push away flash and flash aggressively shoving him against a wall. So this was what had broken up Peter and Wade. Peter turned off his phone and then more texts flooded in. The avengers compound as it exploded. People gasped and showed one another. Peter stared wide eyes at the video. Watching it play and replay over and over again. Watching as the only family he had left blew up. He looked up and saw Wade looking at him. The only person in this damn school that knew. The only person that understood that Peter had just lost everyone. His heart pounded and his blood roared. He began texting everyone, nobody responded. So he rang and each phone was disconnected. Peter's hands were shaking. "Can I go to the bathroom?" Peter asked the teacher. She frowned and shook her head. "Twenty minutes left of class. You can wait." "It's urgent." "Sit. Down." Peter shook his head. "I really have to go." "Wait." Peter shook his head. He ran out into the hallway and sprinted off as the teacher ran out to follow him. But along with her was flash and Wade and a couple other students. Peter sped up and finally made it outside. He continued running and could hear people close on his heels. Peter needed to get home and fast. The train would take too long. "Shit." He called Steve again and again and still, nothing. "Take my car." Wade gave Peter his keys and Peter stared at him with big, wide and grateful eyes. "Thank you." He breathed and recognised Wade's car almost instantly. Peter started the engine and reversed out. He was suddenly aware that he'd never really learnt how to drive. Tony had said it was important but being a superhero meant there was little time for practice. Wade seemed to remember too because then he was opening the door and telling Peter to move. Then they sped off. "Why didn't you tell me they were bullying you again?" "Why didn't you explain that you were shoving Flash away?" "Me first." "Me first!" Peter hissed. "I tried but then you were vomiting and that scared the shit out of me and I needed to know you were okay and then you pushed me away and looking at you hurt. Everytime I tried to talk to you, I got choked up." Wade explained. "I was already dumping all my crap on you with my dad being gone. I didn't want to explain how I was getting bullied again too-" "I'm here for you Peter! Jesus! You weren't dumping your crap on me!" Wade glared at him and Peter rolled his eyes. "Just drive." But in the distance, in the direction of the avengers compound, Peter could see smoke. _____________________________________________ "This should do it." Tony grinned at the algorithm and showed it to Bruce. "It makes sense. But being able to harness the energy and-" "But we are a step closer to getting me home." To Steve and Peter. To his home. "Yes. It is one step closer." Bruce confirmed. "I'm coming home." Tony grinned. Back to his husband and son. Back to his life. ____________________________________________

When Wade stopped the car there was police tape and fire and smoke everywhere. Peter got out of the car and stared at the remains of the avengers compound. "Were there any survivors?" Peter found his voice shaking and the officer frowned. "Go home kid, this is a private-" "Peter?" Phil. Peter relaxed almost immediately. Phil Coulson. A trusted family friend. "Phil." Peter hugged the federal agent and Phil hugged him back. "It's okay. We're looking into it." "Did anyone live? Did anyone make it out?" They couldn't be dead. "We've got confirmation from Romanoff and Barnes. But no word on the others." Nat and Bucky were okay. "Steve?" He had to be sure. "No one else." Wanda, vision, Clint, Sam, Rhodey, Thor, Bruce, Steve. All unaccounted for. Wade took Peter's hand and squeezed it. "Where should I go?" Peter's voice shook. "For tonight? Can he stay with you?" Wade nodded. "Of course." "If we don't hear anything from Steve or Tony in the next three days, then you go to child protection services." "Who was I supposed to go to? In the event that tony and Steve died? Who was I supposed to go to?" "Rhodey or Sam. If Bucky and Sam were married then Bucky but they're not. Because both men are assumed dead..." Phil trailed off. Foster care. "Fury-" "His hands are tied." Phil walked off to help search through the rubble and peter clung to Wade's hand. "We should get out of here. A lot of people are going to come here to see this and it won't be good if you're here when they show up." Wade murmured. "Nat and Bucky-" "Are probably already in hiding." Peter sighed and closed his eyes. A big gaping hole opened up in his chest. "It's gonna be okay." But peter and Wade both knew that that was a lie. _____________________________________________ When Tony harnessed the energy, it was a freaking miracle. The other avengers were as impressed as he was. "Time to send me home." Tony made his rounds, said goodbye to his companions from the past nine months. "Bye Tony." Steve was the last one to hug him. "Thank you. For everything." Steve let go and nodded. "Tell them all we said hello." Clint told him and Tony nodded. "Will do." Then Tony nodded at Bruce. Who then aimed the energy beam at Tony. It hit him and he went flying back, blacking out once more. ____________________________________________

Peter got kicked from foster home to foster home. Living in Queens and Brooklyn and Manhattan. Foster home after foster home, all claiming he was troublesome. Some kicked him out because he was gay. The worst was when he got shoved into homes where they beat the crap out of him. He'd never realised how lucky he'd been to end up with Steve and Tony. Still no word on either parent. No word from any avenger. Even Nat and Bucky. Peter returned to his foster home and was met with a fist to the stomach. He grunted and bent over. "Fuck." He swore. "Don't you use that language in my home." The man snarled and punched at one of Peter's broken ribs. He clenched his jaw and ground his teeth. More kicks and punches and finally he made it to the stairs. He scrambled up them and slammed the door shut. He locked it and leaned against it, panting heavily. He looked at the bandaged wound in his side. Badly sewed up and horrifically infected. Peter reached for his phone and called Wade. "Where the hell have you been?" Wade demanded. "Call Phil." "What's wrong?" The instant fear in Wade's voice didn't help matters. "Just call Phil. Get me out." Peter begged. "Where are you gonna go?" "Anywhere that isn't here." "Peter talk to me-" "Call. Phil." Then he hung up the phone at the sound of approaching footsteps. __________________________________________ Tony was pretty sure he'd fucked up. Because he went to the avengers compound and found nothing but rubble and dust. He called Steve and got told the number was disconnected. He went to Queens to the address that Peter had lived at and found an old angry couple there. He wandered around aimlessly until he saw a car that was all too familiar. Wade. He knocked on the door until a blind old lady opened the door. "What?" She snapped and Tony was surprised by the ferocity of it. "Does Wade Wilson live here?" The woman frowned. "How do you know that asshole?" "He's dating my son." "You're Peter's dad?" "One of them. Is he here?" He was relieved that he had landed in a universe where Peter and Wade were at least together that had to be a step in the right direction. "WADE! YOUR FATHER IN LAW IS HERE TO SEE YOU!" She walked off and Tony patiently waited as Wade approached. "Tony?" He looked surprised to see him. "Where's Peter? And Steve? What the hell happened?" Wade frowned. "Where have you been?" "Long story. But I need to see my husband and my son." Wade looked at the floor. "Well a lot of shit happened-" "Where. Are. They?" "Steve disappeared after the avengers compound exploded and Peter's been passed from foster home to foster home." Wade confessed. "Excuse me?" "The compound got bombed and Steve disappeared. He's thought to be dead. But because you were gone and so was rhodey and Sam-" "Where is he?" "I don't know. He's shoved me away." "Why would he do that?" "Because he's Peter and he's lost everyone this year." "Fuck." "Phil knows where he is though." Tony pulled out his phone and called. "The fucking hospital? I am going to kick your ass Coulson." Tony snarled. ______________________________________________

Peter screamed as the doctor pulled out Peter's stitches. He screamed and screamed and desperately wished there was someone other than Phil here for him. "I know it hurts, just hold still." The Doctor pleaded. He touched the wound again and Peter screamed again. Then the curtain was pulled back and there was Wade and Tony. Peter had to be out of it. "Oh kid." Tony took Peter into his lap and nodded at the doctor. He touched Peter's wound and Peter screamed. But Tony held him tightly and stroked his hand. Wade held his hand and Peter squeezed tightly. "What'd they do to you?" Tony whispered softly. The doctor sewed it up properly and gave Peter some antibiotics. He then proceeded to examine Peter's other wounds. "Tony I am so-" Phil began but Tony cut him off. "Get. Me. Steve." Was all he said. "He's busy." Tony raised his brows. "I have been missing for nine months and our child is in hospital. I think whatever he's doing can fucking wait." Tony snarled. "Would you like anyone else?" "Yeah. Get me the whole team. We're gonna have to have a big chat." Tony stroked Peter's hair and peter began to relax. "You left." He whispered. "Never. I never left." Tony whispered. "You were gone." "Okay yeah that happened but it's one kick ass story. But who did this to you?" "Foster families." Peter mumbled. Tony glared at Phil. "I had no idea-" "You left my son with abusive-" "I'm sorry. I have a lot going on-" "My son should have been top priority." "He was. Until he was taken off my case. Assigned to another agent." "Who gave that order?" "I don't know, do you want me to contact Steve or not?" Tony merely glared and then kissed the top of Peter's head. "What are you doing here?" Peter asked Wade with a croaky voice. "I couldn't just sit on my ass and do nothing. You were in trouble-" "Have you two said the L word?" Tony asked. "No." Peter mumbled and finally the drugs kicked in and the pain began to vanish. "We're gonna give him a sedative. He needs some rest." The doctor murmured to Tony. Peter began to protest but felt the jab of the needle and was out before he knew it. _____________________________________________

Tony was furious to find out that his child had been kicked around from foster home to foster home. Furious to discover that Peter thought Tony had abandoned them. Peter was asleep in his arms when Steve showed up. Wade had left to get food and Tony was relieved to see his husband. And angry. Very, very angry. "You're a sight for sore eyes." Steve whispered and he looked exhausted. "Where the hell have you been?" Tony hissed. "What?" "Where have you been? Do you have any idea about what happened to Peter when you were gone?" "You're yelling at me for disappearing? Seriously?" "You weren't shot with alien energy that sent you into an alternate universe." Tony seethed. "You were in another universe?" "We can talk about that later. Where. Were. You?" "Killing Thanos." "Oh." "It's done. Don't worry we're all okay." "I'm sorry I couldn't help." "You were in an alternate universe. But I couldn't bring Peter. If I brought Pete-" "Too dangerous." Tony agreed and stroked Peter's hair. "He's gonna hate us both." "He'll be happy though. We might have to put him in therapy." "Probably. You were presumed dead for nine months." "It wasn't fun on my side either." "And it was fun on ours?" Tony looked down at his sleeping child and tightened his hold. "If you ever leave me, do not marry Sharon. I already watched that once." "Sharon? Carter?" Steve looked revolted at the mere idea and Tony laughed. "Yeah, interesting wedding, and don't move out. Ever." "I'm not going anywhere." "Promise?" "Promise. But tell me the bank account passwords." "What happened?" "We ran out of money. And food. And electricity." "You didn't pay the bills?" "We worked it out. Eventually." Tony sighed. "I also noticed our house got blown up." "Yeah. But I got the USB." Steve motioned to a chain around his neck. The USB that held all important files and photos on it. Tony relaxed. "I love you." "I love you too." "But I am going to kill whoever did this to my son." Tony snarled and Steve chuckled. "Prison works better." "So does death." "Tony." "Our child is in hospital Steve!" "Ahem." Both men turned to look at the doctor. "When Peter came in we took an X-ray. He's got a lot of internal damage-we're gonna have to do surgery." "What?" "How serious?" "The injuries are pretty extensive. It isn't lethal yet-" "Where do I sign. Get him in an O.R now!" Tony hissed. "Youre gonna have to get off the bed." Tony tightened his grip. Let go of Peter? "A couple hours won't kill." Steve assured him. Tony nodded and got off the bed. Then they wheeled Peter away. "Can I kill them now?" "I'm tempted but no. We should tell the others." Steve took Tony's shaking hand and smiled softly. "If he dies in surgery?" "He isn't going to die." They walked into the waiting room that was filled with avengers and some people that Tony wasn't familiar with. "Tony?" The avengers pulled him into a group hug and he held them all tightly. "It is so good to be home." Tony mumbled and stepped back. His hand instantly found Steve's and he gripped it tightly. "Where's Peter?" Wade asked. "Why the fuck is he here?" Bucky had to hold Sam back and Tony's brows furrowed. "You let him come here?" Nat demanded and reached for her boot where a knife undoubtedly was hidden. "It wasn't me who let him come-" "This little bitch is going to get his ass-" "Sam." Bucky's warning tone made him shut up. "Mind filling me in?" Tony asked Steve quietly. "Oh right you weren't there, umm they broke up." "Wait what?" "Well it's a long story-" Wade mumbled. "Your lying, cheating ass-" Sam started and Tony raised a brow. "Was anyone actually looking after Peter when I was gone?" "He's like seventeen-" Clint began. "Do not tell me that he can look after himself when we are standing in a hospital with Peter in surgery." Tony said calmly. "Surgery?" "Way to break it to them gently." Steve muttered.

"What do you mean surgery?" "Why is he in surgery?" "What happened to him?" "What type of surgery?" "Is it lethal?" Question after question was fired off and Tony sighed. "Abusive foster home, there's internal damage and a pretty deep and nasty wound that is in infected. They also mentioned something about some broken ribs and a broken ankle-" "Fucking should've stayed behind." Nat muttered to herself. "Listen- he is gonna be okay, we've just gotta wait for more news." "Who blew up my house?" "Thanos." Bucky answered. "Who killed him?" "We all did." "Where were you?" Rhodey asked not caring about Thanos at all. "Oh, i was in an alternate dimension." "Do I want to ask?" Bucky asked Sam who shrugged. "What was different?" Bruce asked. "Oh lots of things. Sam and Bucky hated each other, Clint was with some random girl, you and nat were a thing. Sharon and Steve got married and nobody knew Thor." Thor frowned at that. "What did I do?" "You stayed in Asgard. Never came to earth." Tony shrugged and sat down. He had travelled through universes and held his screaming child all in one day. He was exhausted. "I need coffee." He mumbled to himself and Steve laughed. "You always need coffee." Steve kissed Tony's temple and Tony allowed himself to relax. But fear curdled in his gut, Peter was in surgery. All he could do now was wait. ________________________________________________

Peter woke up to find Tony asleep in Steve's lap in the visitors chair. He smiled softly at the sight. They were okay. They were together and they were both here. He turned his head and saw Wade in the doorway. "Hey." Peter didn't bother being quiet. He could tell by the snoring that his dad's were completely out of it. "Hey." Wade put the roses he was holding down on a table filled with flowers. "Thank you. For calling Phil." "You scared the crap out of me. You stopped talking to me once you were in foster homes and you shut everyone out-" "I'm sorry I scared you." "I get that you were going through a lot-" "It's been a crazy year." "I know. At the start of the year we were together. We were happy." "I know." "Is there a chance we could go back to that?" "You're such an idiot." Peter giggled. He was pretty sure that was due to the pain meds. "Is that a no?" "The day when the compound blew up, I was terrified I had lost everyone. And so relieved to know you were there. With me. But after shitty foster home after shitty foster home, you didn't need that. I wanted to go back to that. To being happy with you. Because I love you Wade." Peter held his breath. Wade looked utterly shell shocked. "What?" "I love you." He waited for the rejection. He'd put Wade through so much shit this year. "I love you." Wade kissed Peter and they held onto one another. Tightly. "God I missed you." Peter buried his head into Wade's chest. "But you've gotten be honest with me this time. Not more secrets. No more lies. Promise." "I promise." Wade kissed the top of Peter's head. "Well aren't you two just adorable." Tony murmured with a soft, sleepy smile. "Sorry sir." Wade mumbled. "Get some sleep." Was all Tony said before doing exactly that. And Peter, finally feeling safe, closed his eyes and drifted off into a long and peaceful sleep. ______________________________________________ It was twenty minutes until the new year began. Tony had his arm wrapped tightly around Steve and rested his head on Steve's shoulder. "We made it." Tony whispered. "This year sucked." Steve responded. "But we made it. Even peter made it through." "Barely." "Don't be pessimistic." "I'm not. I just hope we do better next year." "Me too." They stood there and watched as their friends mingled and laughed at the party they had thrown. Peter and Wade had disappeared but Tony decided he didn't want to follow and find out what they were up to. "We'll do better. If I vanish in mid battle you'll know not to worry because I'm just in an alternate universe." "That's not comforting. I was married to Sharon. You were married to Pepper." "A terrifying universe, I like this one much more. But at least you'll have an idea to my location." Steve rolled his eyes. "I love you." "I love you too." They let the silence fill the space. Watched as the fireworks exploded and counted down along with everyone else. Then, once they screamed happy new year, they pulled one another into a deep and long kiss. Knowing that this year would be better.

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