Inspired by an Insta post by ironmanstan. Hope you enjoy!

Tony leaned forward, clutching his aching side. He had sealed off his stab wound and stopped the bleeding, but it still pained him. He needed medical attention. He needed food and water (he was already light-headed enough without the gnawing sense of need for nourishment). Tony Stark needed help. He knew he did. Tony always had hated asking for help. This was one of the only instances where he was actually willing to ask for it. And it was the only time he couldn't have it. He was stuck, stranded, on the goddamn planet Titan.

Nebula sat a little ways off, leaning against a large piece of rubble. In her right hand she held a long knife. She was repetitively running her fingers up and down the flat of the blade, murmuring softly to herself. Tony couldn't make out what she was saying, but he caught a few words. "Gamora" "Thanos" "failure" were some of them.

Tony felt utterly lost. He had been lost before, but this was different. This time he was alone. He did not have Pepper, or Rhodey, or Steve, or Peter. Peter. Tony's stomach lurched. Oh God, Peter. Only hours ago Tony had held the small teen in his arms, while the boy begged him to live. Peter Parker, young, innocent, stupid Peter Parker had turned to dust. And Tony had done nothing. It wasn't like Tony was able to do something and had failed to. It was all out of his control. He hated being out of control. Even though it wasn't remotely his fault, Tony felt a tremendous amount of guilt. What was he going to tell Aunt May? Oh, Peter. If only—

Ziiing!

A knife was suddenly imbedded in the hard ground by Tony's feet. He gave a startled cry and jumped to his feet. Pain raced through his side. Groaning, Tony dropped back down on his knees.

Nebula rolled her eyes and retrieved her knife. "Stop whining, you big baby. It could be a lot worse.''

"Oh, shut up!'' Tony snapped. "Why the hell did you throw a knife at me?''

Nebula shrugged. "I didn't throw it at you.''

"Whatever,'' growled Tony. Nebula was right. It could be a lot worse for him. As far as Tony knew, the only friend (ahem, son) he had lost was Peter. Nebula had lost everyone at the hands of her father. Including her own sister Gamora. Nebula was truly alone. Tony wasn't. But what did it matter? They were both stranded just the same.

"So,'' Nebula began. "How do you plan to get us off Titan?''

"Do you really think I know? Seriously?"

"Well you are the genius up here.''

Tony couldn't argue with that.

"So. . .?''

"Why does everyone always expect me to have the answer?!'' Tony yelled.

"Because you act like you do! If you aren't a god, then stop acting like it!'' Nebula shot back.

Tony slouched, utterly defeated. "I can't do anything. We're stuck.''

Nebula's unflinching gaze met his.

"I'm sorry.'' Damn human emotions. Tony was not going to cry in front of this humanoid warrior.

"For what?" Nebula's blue biceps twitched.

"For failing,'' Tony whispered. "I've failed everyone. My friends, my family, you. No matter how hard I try, I just protect everyone. I'm a failure, just like my dad said I would be.''

"Mm, well, dads.'' Nebula sighed. "Tough love, you know? My dad abused me and had me carry out his dirty work. He tortured me for forty hours straight. Never told me he loved me. Used me, most of the time. Never thankful, always expectant. It's just how it is.''

Tony was speechless. Nebula didn't say anymore.

"Well, um, no, actually,'' Tony said haltingly. "That's not how it is. At least not most of the time. My dad never physically hurt me. It's, um, it's okay, Nebs. I won't—" Tony stopped. He was about to make a promise he could never keep. Or could he? He hadn't been able to save Peter, but he might just be able to save Nebula. "I won't let Thanos hurt you ever again.''

Nebula still said nothing. Then, slowly, she dropped her knife and sat down beside Tony. She was silent. Behind her fierce gaze Tony could detect something else: vulnerability. She was young, he realized. A lot younger than he had first noted. Nebula appeared to be barely an adult! Tony knew she was letting her walls down. Why would she ever do that? Especially in front of him, a practical stranger! Now Tony could no longer see her as a deadly warrior. He could only see her as a broken, vulnerable, child who was randomly putting a great deal of trust in him. Just like Peter.

Tony made a decision. He wasn't going to let Nebula down like he had with Pete. He was going to protect her (emotions, not body. She would probably protect his body.) Tony was going to get him and Nebula off Titan. "Stick with me, kid. Looks like you just got yourself a new and actual dad.''

Nebula looked up at him. Her eyes shone with curious wonder.

Tony smiled. Christ, he'd never had anything like a daughter. He would have to ask Pepper for tips once they got back to earth. Because that's what they were about to do.

He got to his feet, pulling Nebula up with him. Tony scanned the barren plains for anything useful. "Alright, Nebs, here's the plan. We're going to fix that donut over there and use it to take us back to earth.''

Nebula hinted a ghost of a smile. "You mean the Q-Ship?''

"That's the one.'' Tony rubbed his wounded side once more. Despite all the crap they'd been through, Tony was going to get them off Titan. "We need to forage anything possible to fix that thing. It won't be hard, but we're short on material.''

"Alright,'' Nebula started off in the opposite direction to find the material, but she paused. "Tony?''

"Yeah, kid?"'

"What the hell is a donut?''