Tony's funeral was held at his house, and there was not a dry eye to be seen. Everyone stood silently to watch Pepper put a wreath out onto the lake, Stark's first ARC reactor floating in the center. Most lingered after the ceremony to show their support for Pepper and Morgan, and celebrate the life that had been given for the universe's well-being.
It was touching to see just how many lives Tony had directly affected, how many people came to pay their respects.
As some began to trickle out, Bruce and Steve asked for help in assembling a the miniature Quantum tunnel that would take the stones back to their proper timeline. When the work had been finished, Bruce began punching numbers into the console, prepping the tunnel for travel.
"Now Steve, are you sure you want to do this alone?" Bruce asked. "That's a lot of stones to be carrying around all by yourself."
"I think I can manage." Steve responded, picking up Mjolnir and stepping onto the platform. "But I wouldn't exactly mind the company."
"I'll go." (Y/N) suggested, "I want to see what it's like!"
"I'll go with as well." I said, tossing her a spare Quantum nanosuit. "Many hands make light work."
"I'll trust you guys to take back the scepter and the Tesseract then." Steve said, passing those to us in separate containers.
"Are you guys ready?" Bruce asked, "I've got the new configuration all punched in."
"Go ahead." Steve said, all of our helmets engaging in unison.
I gripped (Y/N)'s hand, the other holding the scepter that I had to return to the proper Shield agents. (Y/N) and I warped to the alley, and made our way towards the tower quickly. I placed the scepter carefully into the open case it had been taken from, closing and locking the mechanism silently.
"How are we going to get this back there?" (Y/N) asked, "There's some kind of craziness happening in there."
"Bruce must have returned us to when Tony and Scott were initially stealing it, or trying to." I answered. "Our best bet would be to slide the Tesseract as close to them as we can get it, since the case was knocked open at this point."
"You've got it." (Y/N) said, walking forward before I could stop her, opening the case. "I'll do it since during this time I'm still a Shield agent."
"Wait, you shouldn't-" before my warning could fully leave my lips, (Y/N) touched the Tesseract. Though it did not burn her hand, I could instantly see its blue glowing energy seeping through her skin.
"Oh no." She murmured, "I have to move, NOW."
She ran into the tower, nearly throwing the cube across the floor towards the group of Avengers, 2012 Tony still on the ground from the cardiac issue that Scott had given him. The Tesseract slid to a stop next to 2012 Thor, and this time, it was retrieved before my 2012 self could grab it.
(Y/N) gripped her hand, hissing and groaning in discomfort as we hurriedly left the tower.
"Are you alright?" I asked repeatedly, trying to see the damage that had been done to her right palm.
"I'm fine, I think." She said, gazing up to me with glowing blue eyes."But I don't think I'm Tesseract-free anymore."
"What are we going to do with-" I was cut off by the Quantum tunnel sucking us back in, depositing us back on the platform in front of Bruce.
"What happened?" Bruce asked, worried. "Everything seemed normal, but then (Y/N)'s signature shifted so quickly I almost lost it!"
"(Y/N) is host to the tesseract once more." I sighed. "Though I don't know just how much of it."
"I think she'll be fine." Danvers said, having been called over to assist if needed. "I got nearly blown to smithereens by it, and here I am. If anything wierd happens, you can give me a ring, but I think that it's such a small amount, I doubt she'd even know it happened if it wasn't for her eyes. And even that's dimming."
"It's because I'm not close to it." (Y/N) said. "I guess I never will be again, given that the Tesseract is gone now."
"Then I guess we're all of it that's left." Danvers smiled.
"Where's Steve?" Thor asked, "Wasn't he supposed to come back too?"
"Yea," Bruce agreed, "But I'm giving him a little extra time, since he's got more stones to put away."
"Does that even matter, if he's in the time machin-"
"I'm working on it, okay?" Bruce said, cutting Thor off. "I've only got one functional hand right now. I'll get him back."
"No you won't." Bucky murmured, almost too quietly for me to hear.
"Well, if that craziness is over, I'm ready to go home." Thor said.
"I keep forgetting that you have a new home here." (Y/N) smiled softly, "There's so much for me to catch up on."
"I'm sure you're not the only one that feels that way." Thor laughed, "Five years is a lot to miss. In any case, I have some things to sort out there, and you would love it, (Y/N)."
"Allow me to introduce you to New Asgard, and catch you up on at least a small part of what you weren't around to see." I said, taking her hand.
"I can help with that." Strange said as he walked by, opening a portal that gave a brilliant view of the cliffs that overlooked New Asgard as dawn began to break.
"Thank you, Stephen." I nodded.
The portal closed once we had stepped through it, the fresh sea breeze blowing in our faces as we approached the cliff's edge.
We chose to sit down and watch the sun slowly rise into the sky, the gulls beginning to awaken for the day.
"I spoke to mother when I went to Asgard." Thor said quietly.
"What did you say?" I asked as (Y/N) leaned onto my shoulder.
"Lots of things." Thor replied, sighing. "I might have divulged our entire plan, and the problem leading up to it."
"That seems like a risky decision." I smiled.
"Since when do I make any other kind?" Thor replied, chuckling. After a pause, he turned to look at me. "She was very proud of you, brother. She almost couldn't believe how much you've changed."
"She always saw the worst of me, and loved me through it." I replied, squeezing (Y/N)'s hand.
"She also brought it to my mind just how much you've changed, you've matured." Thor continued, gazing out to the sun. "How much wiser you've become. You're a real leader now."
"I wouldn't go that far." I said.
"Well Mjolnir seemed to indicate otherwise." Thor countered, a kind smile on his face. "I suppose I'd better go speak with Valkyrie."
Thor rose, dusting off himself before turning to walk away.
"Why's that?" I asked, looking to him.
"She needs to know about the change of leadership that will happen when I leave."
"You're leaving?" (Y/N) and I asked at the same time in bewilderment.
"I've never been right for this." Thor said, gesturing to New Asgard below. "You know how much I always want to move, to do new things. That's not befitting for a King with a people that need his help."
"Is Valkyrie replacing you?" I asked, "I'm not sure she'll want that responsibility quite this fast."
"No, brother." Thor replied. "The line of the throne falls to you."
"I beg your pardon?" I stammered. "Thor, I don't appreciate this kind of gaming."
"I'm not kidding." Thor said, "You'll make a far better king than I've been for the past five years. New Asgard will flourish under your leadership. It's time for me to be who I am, rather than who I'm supposed to be. And the same is true of you."
"But where will you go?" (Y/N) asked, standing up.
I followed suit, "What will you do?"
"I'm not sure." Thor answered. "For the first time in a thousand years, I… I have no path. But I will have a ride. Rabbit will be here soon with the Benatar. Wherever we go, I know that it will be the right path for me."
"Will you ever come back?" I asked.
"I'll of course visit you." Thor smiled. "There's sure to be nieces and nephews in my future, and I wouldn't miss that for every world in the universe."
(Y/N) and I both flushed red, the head in our cheeks increasing the more we thought about it.
"And look, brother." Thor said, gesturing out to the sunrise and open ocean. "You were right all along. The sun is shining on us again."
"I don't know what to say." I said, mind still spinning. "Other than thank you, and I will do my very best to protect Asgard, and help it to thrive."
"I know you will." Thor said, beginning to walk away. "You've worked too hard, and come too far, to allow anything else."
Thor walked away, leaving (Y/N) and I alone on the cliff.
"So what now, my king?" (Y/N) said, smiling as she buried herself in my chest.
"We could keep Thor from leaving." I joked, "Give him that nephew and niece he seems to want so badly."
(Y/N) laughed, the golden sunlight bathing her skin in a heavenly glow. The sweet sound of her laughter melted me, and my pulse jumped as I greedily took in her beauty.
"Maybe we should finally get married before we jump into starting a family." She smiled, wrapping her arm around me. "I'm too selfish to share you quite yet."
"Whatever you wish." I said, wrapping her in my arms and pressing my lips to hers before whispering into her ear.
"My Queen."