Summary: Steve, instead of Pepper, is with Tony when he dies.

The End of the Game

Version #1

PenPatronus

Steve Rogers felt nothing but the dust and stabbing heat and, in that moment, saw nothing but Tony. He dropped what remained of his shield and sprinted forward past the disintegrating Thanos. He reached Tony right when his knees buckled. "I've got you," he gasped, walking Tony backwards and then helping him sit against a hill of debris. The gauntlet of stones clanged when it fell against a rock. "I've got you." Steve knelt beside Tony and slid his right hand behind his friend's neck. "Look at me. Tony?"

Voices yelled around them. Victory shouts. Ash and dust floated through the air. The Wakandans chanted. The wizards shot gold fireworks into the sky. Valkyrie performed loop-de-loops on her stead. Bodies rushed around as people exchanged handshakes and high fives and hugs. Those who witnessed Tony wielding the Infinity Stones jogged towards him, full of congratulations. None got within ten yards. All stopped and stood staring, mute. The battlefield shifted from exhilarated screams to a mourning silence.

Steve ripped off his cowl and pressed it against blood leaking from a crack in Tony's armor. He spotted a heavier bleeder, then, one coming from Tony's right shoulder. Steve put his cowl there, then moved it again at the sight of an even bigger bleeder then… then he realized that the blood was much to much. He looked down to see Tony's right arm mangled. The armor had been burned right off. It took the skin with it. Steve saw bone. The right side of Tony's torso, neck, and pale face was burned nearly black. His right leg was just blood. Tony stared, unblinking, at nothing.

"Oh, God." Steve's stomach plummeted. "Oh God, no. TONY!"

Tony made eye contact. "Cap," he whispered on a shaky exhale. "Did it… Did it…" Blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.

Steve nodded. "It worked. You did it. You saved the world. Tony… You saved the universe."

Thundering footsteps approached. Steve heard Bruce's breath hitch. More boots on the ground—Thor. Lighter shoes jogged towards them. Clint. A suit landed nearby. Rhodey.

Tony licked white lips. "It hurts."

Water filled Steve's eyes.

"Mr. Stark!"

Steve recognized the kid's voice. He was running, but someone intercepted him. A sound exploded from Peter that was half sob, half wail.

"Pep… M-Morgan…"

Steve didn't know what to say, but he wanted—no, needed—to say something, so he just whispered, his voice hitching, "Tony..."

The fingers on Tony's right hand fluttered. Steve cradled them. "Hurts," Tony repeated, softer this time.

"Just… Just squeeze my hand. Squeeze my hand, ok?" Steve sniffed.

Tony's eyes leaked. "Scared."

Steve shook his head. He thought better of it, then, and nodded. "Me too."

"Hold me."

Steve was. "I am." He leaned forward and touched their foreheads together. "I'm here."

"M-Miss you, S-Steve…"

"Miss you." The sob erupted from deep within Steve's chest. "Always."

Tony raised his face. The corners of his mouth rose then fell in an almost-smile. Then, he was looking past Steve. Through him. Beyond him. His body deflated. He stopped squeezing Steve's hand. Before Tony's eyes shut, and stayed shut as they would forever, Steve heard him whisper one last word.

"Dad?"

The End