The world was at peace again. As "balance" was reversed, fully restored, all seemed right again.

Families were reunited. Streets were cleaner. People were happier.

Thanos sighed as he turned away from the vision he was allowed to see from Hela, the Goddess of Death.

"Are you not grateful to see the land of the living one last time? That which I have so graciously given you?" She asked in a pressing, deadly way.

Thanos admired her poise, her power...moreso than he would like to admit.

"I thank you for allowing me one last look. However, I just have this feeling that you will be...overwhelmed sooner than you think."

"You still believe in your philosophy?"

"I wish I was wrong." Thanos looked back one more time, growling at the Avengers all gathered watching something in their living space...together.

They do not deserve happiness, after all they had done.

"I think it's time you show me more respect, Titan."

Thanos bowed his head in agreement. "Yes, my lady..."

SIX MONTHS LATER

The Avengers continued to operate around the world, however, they still had their full-blown holiday get-togethers and celebrations.

The Tower still housed Tony, Steve, Peter, Thor, Carol, and Bruce, while everyone else came to and from the guests rooms from time to time. Clint and Natasha took some well-deserved time off for the most part to spend with their children.

Nobody bothered them except for casual conversations.

Peter got home from school one day to find a new suit upgrade for him ready to try on. He loved days like this where he could spend quality time with his Dad. His Pops, even though he could not understand hardly anything, took the time to sketch their special moments, which he absolutely adored.

Bruce had FRIDAY make an announcement that he was cooking tonight, which excited Peter to no end, because he loved trying the "far out" kinds of food one cannot usually find at the local grocery store. Maybe someday, he could be as cool of a chef as Uncle Bruce.

After the fun demonstration of his suit in the gym, Carol and Thor offered to spar with him, which he could never resist. Tony urged him to be careful, followed by Steve reiterating the message till Peter's ears were bleeding. Carol assured them that she could control the boys to keep things safe.

"That is awesome!" Peter gaped at Carol after she successfully somersaulted off the end of the rope course. "I'm going to go shower up, do y'all wanna watch another episode of Star Wars? They have new ones now."

"Of course, my Spiderling!" Thor loved those movies. Carol was just excited there were more than just three.

She waited until Peter had left before she attacked Thor from behind. They collapsed on the mat in a fit of laughter, rolling around each other playfully. He allowed her to pin him to the ground, her eyes piercing the small space between them.

"Thank-you..."

"For what, my love?"

"For this...all of it." She kissed him.

Thor sat up and pulled her closer. It had been so long since he had been truly happy without a care in the world. Yes, he still missed his family desperately, but his adopted family was just as close to his heart now.

"Of course...you know I would do anything for your happiness."

Peter "forgot" to get his phone, as he did not like interrupting nor being around mushy moments. It seemed everybody had found someone, as a friend or more, and that just made him so happy. After all they had been through these past few years, he was so glad they were able to all make up and become a family again.

And now it was bigger than ever.

"Hey Wanda! We're about to watch Star Wars! Wanna join?"

Wanda looked up from her book, and gave a genuine smile. "I'll get the popcorn."

Peter gave her a thumbs up as he made his way to the living room.

That night, Steve woke up shaking. He jolted upright, scared to death it had happened again. He touched his arms, his face, his chest...he was still ok. It was just a nightmare.

"Steve?" He looked down to see Tony looking up at him with worry. "You're alright. I'm right here." He scooted up to where their shoulders were touching. Grabbing Steve's hand, he slowly moved it to the arc reactor, the warm hum comforting to him, just like Peter. He guesses it was the reassurance of something cemented into reality that helped with the emotional turmoil fictional visions while unconscious tended to produce.

Steve's hand was still shaking, but the warmth helped. "Tony..." He teared up, and it was never easy for Tony to deal with. "I'm so sorry..."

"For what, babe?" Tony frowned in confusion.

"Everything...our first meeting, Ultron, Bucky, the Accords..."

"Ok, ok, slow down. Haven't we done enough of that? Besides, I have you beat on my list of things I'm sorry for." That did not get a laugh or even a smile like he wanted. "Hey, we're fine. Don't you worry your pretty little head about those things anymore. I just want to focus on the future...like, next month is our anniversary, and I was thinking we could go to this little island that's only been visited by like the creme de la creme of the world, and I want-"

"Slow down, Tony." Steve smiled through his tears. "I'm still trying to recover from all of this."

"I know you are, and you're doing amazing...you're so strong, Steve...so strong. I want to be there for you like you are for me. Remember what I told you? You don't have to always be on, the big bad soldier-boss who can do anything. I'm an expert in that particular field." They both laughed, then Tony got serious. "Please, don't be so hard on yourself. Stress does not look good on you, and that's saying something because you look hot in anything I throw on you."

"Tony..." Steve blushed. He shook his head. "I'm just...I'm tired. I'm still weak from that, um...flashback. We've all been so down, and before that...well, you know..."

"How about we take an extended vacation? Not a bucket list challenge...just a relaxing one, where we just do nothing but lounge around while people wine and dine us day in and day out?"

"I get more than enough of that here already. You've spoiled us since our first night we all moved in."

"Yeah, well, what can I say, I'm the best when it comes to fun." Tony smiled.

"You really are that." Steve kissed him.

Tony kissed him back, this time taking the initiative to bring Steve into his chest so he could forget about the bad dreams and focus on the here and now with him. With him, where he was safe. With him, where he could hide away from it all where he could find peace and quiet in their own little world.