Natasha gripped Clint's hand a little too tight when she saw Doctor Strange walk by.
Did it really work? Are my babies ok?
Clint excused themselves, and they stepped out, heading towards their room. They shut the door, wanting their privacy, and with Natasha's head nod, Clint dialed the phone.
It rang a couple times, feeling like an eternity to them.
"...Hello? Clint?! Are y'all ok? I just...what's going on?" Laura, Clint's sister, sounded so confused.
Clint took a second, fighting back tears. "Everything's ok, now. Um...I'll explain everything later...um..." He looked to Natasha for support.
"Hi, Laura." Natasha quietly greeted, leaning into the phone slightly. "Can I..."
"Oh, honey, yes, but they just passed out. Last thing I remember, they were driving me up the wall, so I sung them your lullaby, and they...hang on." They could hear her whispering, then a few moments later, as Clint and Natasha held their breaths, he got another notification on his phone. "Here, I will call as soon as they wake up."
"Thank-you." Clint told her. He nodded a couple times, confirming things, Natasha barely keeping it together to see that picture. Her big eyes begged him to hurry, and Clint pulled it up. They both looked at their children for the first time in months.
Natasha burst into tears, Clint handing her the phone and guiding her to their bed. He held her in his arms as they both stared at the picture in silence until they fell asleep from pure exhaustion.
Tony wrapped his arm tighter around Peter, praying this was still not a dream, as they both nervously waited for the results.
Stephen and Bruce worked carefully as they prepared to use the Time Stone on Steve, who had received the proper treatment and medication with the help from FRIDAY so he could remain stable while they debated what to do to bring him back to his enhanced self.
"I can't remember exactly...it all happened so fast...I'm not sure if the Power Stone was used as well...or maybe the Reality because of...I don't know, I'm sorry." Bruce rubbed his temples, anxiously looking between his friend and the doctor.
Stephen thought for a moment. "It's alright. I've never lost a patient." He looked out the window to the father and son duo on the bench.
Tony's heart raced, realizing that that answer was meant for him. He felt more reassured that he could trust that Steve was in the best hands. He believed in him. After all, without Stephen, Tony nor the rest of the Avengers could have ever defeated Thanos and brought everyone back.
"Come on, son." Tony got up and stretched his back, popping several joints and moaning in pain. "Dad's gotta stretch his legs, and I desperately need some coffee."
"But Pops?" Peter got up, pointing back behind them. "I don't want to leave him." He teared up.
Tony turned around and walked back to Peter and hugged him tight. He ran a hand through that thick brown hair that was just like his own, missing it so much. "I promise we're never going to leave. Your Pops is going to be alright. I trust these two more than anybody. And FRIDAY will call if anything happens."
"Yes, of course, Boss."
Tony raised his brow. "And if I know my son, which I do, I know that he is constantly hungry, clawing at the walls to eat moreso than most kids his age because of that pesky little alter ego-"
"Alright, yeah, you're right, Dad." Peter laughed, realizing that, as a matter of fact, he was starving.
"I always am." Tony smiled. Throwing his arm around Peter, they both walked down the hall.
Thor kissed Carol's hand, rubbing softly her smooth skin between his big hands.
"You know, my mother would have adored you." He teared up. "Because you two are just alike...maybe too much alike. Brave, confident...and one of the most remarkable women I have ever had the honor of knowing." He silently prayed again as Carol's vitals continued to slowly tick by, a little too dimly for the doctors' comfort. He had been told she might not wake up for a long time.
"I'm never going to leave you." Thor promised. "I'm afraid you're stuck with me..." He stared at her, willing her to wake up. "...please don't leave me too." Thor's voice broke as he cried again.
"Boss, you have a visitor. It's King T'challa." Tony and Peter shot up, fearing it was news on Steve, but was relieved it was good news all the same.
"King?!" Peter asked.
"Yeah, king." Tony swallowed hard. He had never had the chance to apologize and talk to the man about what happened during their little civil war amongst each other. But he owed it to him and to his sister to at least give his condolences for the loss of their father.
Down in the lobby of the Tower waited the king, his arms clasped behind his back, standing tall. He turned to see the two walking towards him.
"Your highness." Tony greeted, Peter unsure of what to say or do.
Do I bow?
"Please, you don't have to do that." T'challa laughed as Peter realized with horror in his eyes that he was bowing, and feeling like an idiot he quickly stood up.
"Sorry...um, nice to meet you. I'm Peter."
"You're the Spider-boy?" T'challa mused.
"Man. He's a big boy now." Tony corrected jokingly. He winked to Peter. "So, can I get you anything? Coffee? Scotch? A bowl of milk?"
"You are a funny one." T'challa raised a mocking eyebrow. "I am fine, I just wanted to come see how the captain was doing. He is my friend, and if there is anything I can do to help, please..."
"How did you know so quickly?" Tony wondered.
T'challa smiled. "I must confess after our, dispute, I have been keeping tabs on you and those that were, on the run through your very polite AI."
"FRIDAY?" Tony asked, a little nervously.
"Yes, Boss?"
"Um...care to explain uh..."
T'challa laughed, shaking his head. "I'm kidding. After we all came back, I just knew in my heart that something so grand must have happened. My people explained what went on...I wanted to apologize-"
"No." Tony interrupted. T'challa was surprised, but let him continue. "I'm the one who should apologize, as I was the one who was a bit of a hot head."
"None of us handled that situation the right way." T'challa explained. "We let one man get between us and how we settle our differences like men. We are better than that." He placed a hand on Tony's shoulder. "There is nothing to forgive. We can only prevent that from ever happening again." Looking to Peter, he smiled again. "You are quite the athlete, young man. Where did you learn all of that?"
Peter blushed a little. "Well, my Pops used to train me every day..." With Tony's look, he explained a little more detail. "After I got caught trying to hide my powers by sneaking out at night."
"I saw them all." T'challa smiled. "If your father ever needs any vibranium, I'm sure I can supply some for you an upgrade."
Peter's eyes got big with shock. He turned to Tony, who he could tell was itching to get his hands on the stuff.
"Well, I would love to play with your toys, so any time, just give me a call." Tony said.
"I will hold you to that. You have a great mind, Mr. Stark."
"Please, call me Tony."
"Tony." T'challa nodded.
"Care to join us for some coffee? I'm on my third pot. Been a long night."
T'challa sighed. "I am so sorry for what you are all going through right now. I am praying for a quick recovery. But Steve Rogers, he is a fighter, he is strong, and with you as his rocks to hold onto...he will overcome this."
Tony and Peter felt good hearing that, wishing it could happen sooner rather than later.