Hello all!

Apologies for updating slightly later than I usually do. I only finished this chapter thirty minutes ago! Had a busy week!

Warning: There is a sex scene in this chapter. It is not that explicit. I think it is quite tame. I debated including it but decided to in the end. If you do not want to read it, avoid the scene from when it says 'Wedding Suite' at the start of the scene. At present, this will be the only time sex will be included in this fic :)

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

The Wedding

Wednesday 7th June 2017

They arrived back on Earth four weeks after they had departed Vormir. The journey back had been slightly more perilous than before. They had been unable to use the same space lanes to get to Vormir to leave the system, meaning they had to navigate around the dangerous pathways to determine the best route out.

Despite Steve's best attempts to find out what had happened on Vormir – an event neither Tony nor Natasha wished to elaborate on – he was refused all attempts. They had, however, agreed to bring everyone together when they arrived on Earth and explain everything to them, including Rhodey and Happy, two people who Tony wanted to bring into his confidence.

"I'm worried people may not so readily believe us," said Natasha quietly. They stood at the back of the hold. "How much do we tell them?"

"Don't tell them we died," advised Tony. "The people who need to know already do. Keep to the story that we come from a future where Thanos won and we woke up here."

"Though technically," she pointed out, "Thanos did lose in the end. You beat him."

Tony shook his head. "No. We did. I wouldn't have been able to snap my fingers without you sacrificing your life for the Soul Stone."

Natasha lowered her gaze. "Maybe not… We're going to have a lot of questions directed at us."

"There may be a way to make it easier on us… For them to believe us," considered Tony, frowning slightly. "Just a thought though…"

"What is it?"

"Mantis. She's an Empath. She can read feelings… If everyone allows her to read their feelings before we tell them the truth, she can then read our feelings afterwards… It might help them believe us. We've been lucky the people who do know the truth haven't needed much convincing…" suggested Tony. "What do you think?"

"Good suggestion. One we could use. There is one other thing we need to discuss," she began.

"The Space Stone and Asgard?" he guessed.

She nodded slightly. "I don't think we are meant to get it before Thanos does."

Tony's eyes widened. "We have to." He couldn't conceive the notion of Thanos having any chance of getting any of the Stones.

"Then how do we get there?" she pointed out.

Tony paused, frowning slightly. It had been bothering him for a while. How could they get to Asgard? "We need Thor."

"We do but we cannot contact him," continued Natasha. She shifted on her feet, her eyes moving slightly.

Tony noticed the small perceptive movements. "Nat… what do you know?"

"What makes you believe I know something you don't?"

Tony laughed gently. "You've been a bit jittery the whole journey home. Not enough for the others to notice but I know you. Something is up. Plus, I have a little niggle at the back of my head which seems to be resonating from you."

"Oh…" She paused, clearly not expecting Tony's admittance. "Our link…" she reasoned. She hadn't thought to check but their link was stronger than before. "It's stronger. But… you said before, after Ross kidnapped you, that you couldn't connect with me. The connection wasn't active on your end."

Tony grimaced. "It is now. I can sense you, reach out to you. I know you're hiding something from me." He shrugged. "I'd hoped you might tell me about it but you haven't. I can only assume -"

She cut him off before he could finish his sentence. "You're not meant to know."

"Am I not?" he reasoned.

No, you are not.

"Ah, the voice is back. I do not appreciate it when things are kept from me." He caught her gaze.

Natasha looked guilty. "They stopped me changing anything for two years. They can prevent me from telling you to. You know that."

Unfortunately, he did. If the voice was manipulating everything then he and Natasha were just pawns in a far larger game, not really maintaining free will of their own, despite it seeming like it was. Tony sighed. "You died on Vormir, Nat. I think you've had a nice chat with the voice before they brought you back again. Why?"

Because she needed to know the information you cannot learn yet. The fate of the universe depends upon you, Tony Stark.

Natasha was watching his reaction carefully. Clearly, what had echoed in Tony's mind she had been partial to as well.

"Will I ever learn it?" he asked. He hated being kept in the dark but this was one problem his mind couldn't solve. He chose to ignore the idea that the fate of the universe depended upon him.

We do not control you. Every action you have taken is of your own free will. We only intervene when it is necessary. We guide you. It is necessary for you to not know. But, you will know soon.

Natasha bowed her head. "I'm sorry, Tony. I don't want to keep secrets but we both know how this works. If you know it won't happen."

"Exactly what Strange said to me when I asked him before I died," admitted Tony.

"Would you have done it if you'd known?"

Tony had to be truthful. "I think I would have tried to stay away from Thanos as far away as possible in the hope someone else would use the Stones… But, I like to believe I still would have done it." It was hard to admit one's faults.

"Even when you knew you still did it," she pointed out.

Tony nodded. "I could have let the universe burn even then but I didn't. I think if I'd known earlier I may have tried to circumvent fate, try to find another way… thereby ruining everything."

"Tony… what I know is to try and protect you. Whatever comes, whatever happens, I will always be by your side. That's all I can say. Usually, I'm quite good at keeping secrets. Clearly our link is proving problematic in that department."

"Might come in use later though," he pointed out.

"Might do." Natasha reached out towards him. "I'm sorry, Tony. If I could tell you, I would, but it is better you don't know. At least not yet. Once Thanos makes his move, things may become clearer."

Despite Tony's annoyance at being left out of what Natasha knew, he recognised he had no choice and it was better to get on with it rather than mope about what he didn't know.

And yet the bad feeling would not go away, no matter how much he tried.

Avengers Facility

They gathered everyone together in the Conference Room. Tony and Natasha stood in front of the table, declining the invitation to sit.

"We've called you all here today for a reason," began Tony. "As you all know we left Earth on the 7th April, two months ago, to embark on a mission which could help us prevent a wider threat. Only a select few people knew of this threat and to prevent panic from becoming widespread we elected not to tell any of you of this." He cast his gaze around the table, looking at Rhodey, Happy (who Tony had invited because he wanted his long-term friend to know the truth and it was better to tell them all now than keep on repeating himself), Sam, Vision, Clint, Peter Parker, and the other members of the Guardians, Drax, Rocket, Groot, and Mantis. "There is a threat coming to Earth, which doesn't involve just us, it involves the entire universe."

"And what is this threat?" asked Sam quietly.

"His name is Thanos. He wants to collect six stones in order to wipe out half the universe's population. What Natasha and I have been doing, and what we did whilst in space, was to retrieve five of the six stones. They are known as Infinity Stones, the most powerful objects in existence. Small but with so much power," explained Tony.

The others who already knew the truth hadn't arrived for the meeting, though Quill and Gamora had decided to stay within the room to manage their teammates. After the truth was out they planned to leave the planet.

"They are very dangerous objects," added Natasha. "If Thanos gets a hold of them, life as we know it can change with a snap of the fingers." She helped up her hand and clicked her fingers. "Just like that."

"But that is not all," continued Tony, his shoulders visibly dropping. "Those that are not here already know this and accept the truth of what we've told them, however, what we next have to reveal may be difficult for you to believe. Therefore, we have devised a way for our truth to be accepted by you all."

"What do you mean?" Rhodey asked, watching carefully.

"It means we do not expect you to believe this," said Natasha. She glanced at Quill and Gamora. "I know the two standing in this room who know still struggle to believe it."

Tony sighed. "Nat and I… we're from the future. From the year 2023, five years after Thanos won."

They'd expected uproar but all they got was open mouths and surprised glances between their comrades.

Rocket was the one who burst out laughing, as well as Drax. "That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard!" yelled the Racoon, slapping his paws on his short legs.

"It's impossible to travel in time!" roared Drax, slapping his hands against the table.

"I am Groot!"

Rhodey leaned forward, head in his hands. "What was I drinking last night?"

"Nat, why are you going along with this?" asked Clint, surprise flickering across his face.

"Impossible." Sam shook his head.

Vision merely stood from his chair. "It makes sense."

"How?" Peter Parker stammered. "How can it? Time travel is impossible!"

Tony chuckled. "No, it isn't."

Natasha leaned back against the wall, arms across her chest. "It wasn't time travel that we physically came back… It's… We went to sleep in 2023 and woke up here."

"Strictly speaking we've been here for a year," confirmed Tony. He hadn't wanted to complicate things by revealing Natasha had been here longer than him. "Since then we've been trying to ensure the future we came from does not happen. Getting the Stones was just a small part of that. Thanos is still going to come here. We cannot stop him."

"Pepper, Steve, Wanda, and Fury have all known for a while," admitted Natasha. "We decided to keep this is as quiet as possible which was why the rest of you were kept in the dark. Events have spiralled out of our control which has necessitated in us needing to reveal things to you all."

"What things?" asked Happy.

"We haven't just been collecting the Stones…" Tony began. "For some reason since we were sent back, each time I've touched a Stone, I've been able to absorb it into me… which shouldn't happen. We're telling you this because it was witnessed by Quill and Gamora during our journey to retrieve one of them."

"Is it bad Tony can absorb them?" queried Clint.

"It could be if Thanos ever finds out Tony is the one who absorbed them," stated Natasha. "We did face the Black Order whilst retrieving one of them…"

"They know I took a Stone but not what I did with it," said Tony. "If anything, if Thanos comes to Earth…"

"You'll be his target," said Rhodey.

Tony nodded. "I will be."

Natasha clapped her hands together. "Some of you may still disbelieve our story. We haven't exactly offered you proper proof."

Clint leaned back in his chair. "You haven't. But you are very convincing."

Natasha smiled warmly at him, grateful for his belief. "However to ensure that you can fully trust us, we would like Mantis to read your feelings. She is an empath. Once she has proven to you all that she can read your feelings, she will then read ours and we hope this will ascertain the truth of what we say."

"That is if you are all happy with an empath reading your feelings…" pointed out Tony, "but it's the only way we can think of which would provide accurate results."

"You could always project falsehoods though," said Vision.

"We could but she is able to read what lies within. If we attempt to lie then she will still be able to pick apart any lies we have told," explained Tony.

Quill raised his hand. "This is true. I tried to hide my true feelings for Gamora when we first met Mantis… She saw beneath any falsehoods I tried to portray. I trust Mantis to get to the bottom of this."

Everyone around the table reluctantly nodded.

Tony clapped his hands together. "Now, who would like to go first?"

Mantis had gone through everyone, proving that she could read the truth in feelings, even if they attempted to trick her. It was enough to convince the others that if she tried to read Tony and Natasha and she stated they spoke the truth, they would believe them.

Tony decided to go first, sitting in front of his other team members, allowing Mantis to take his hand. Her antennae glowed as she probed his feelings.

"I feel… lose… sadness… Desire to save everyone… Such a terrible past… You… You…" Mantis dragged herself away from him, her eyes wide. "I'm sorry."

"What is it?" asked Rhodey, concerned.

"Truth. He saw a terrible future. He spoke the truth."

"Right…" Sam swallowed, his mouth dry.

Natasha held out her hand next and Mantis took it within her own. Closing her eyes, she probed for Natasha's feelings.

"Cold… Hardness and determination. You suffered. You gave yourself so others might live… You wanted to clear the red in your ledger… And you did." Mantis twisted her head slightly.

Clint stiffened at those words. "They're telling the truth."

"Bug lady proves impossible things can happen," declared Drax. "Never doubted them!"

Quill scoffed. "Yes, you did!" He rolled his eyes.

Sam sat limply down in his chair. "So, what happens now?"

Tony's face lit with a grim smile. "We plan and defend the Earth so when Thanos arrives we are ready to defend it."

Thankfully, they all agreed.

Months passed after Tony and Natasha had revealed to the Avengers and the Guardians they had been sent back in time. Life moved on. The Guardians left Earth to continue their adventures in space, though it did give them a bit of hi-tech equipment which enabled the Avengers to call them if needed. Tony continued to try to find ways to reach Asgard to acquire the Space Stone, even going as far as to contact Jane Foster, Thor's ex-girlfriend, for assistance.

Still, nothing worked.

It seemed the universe was against him.

Eventually, he had to admit Natasha was right and they had to wait for Thanos to make the first move before they had any chance of retrieving the Space Stone.

It only made Tony feel worried about what was coming. Despite Natasha's assurances that everything would work out as it was supposed to, he couldn't help but believe things were going to go wrong before they got better.

Yet he couldn't place his finger on why.

All he could do was make sure he was ready for Thanos' inevitable arrival on Earth.

Thursday 21st December 2017

"You feeling alright, Tones?" asked Rhodey, moving closer to Tony as he did his tie in front of the mirror.

Tony nodded. "Sure."

"You're shaking," his long-time friend pointed out.

"I'm not." He was, especially by the evidence of his hands slightly shaking as he did the knot for his tie.

"Your hands say differently," teased Rhodey. He rested a hand on Tony's shoulder. "It'll be fine. You've done this before, right?"

"Yes."

"Then you know it works out fine." Rhodey pointed out wisely.

Tony didn't want to argue and he let it slide. Despite Rhodey knowing he and Natasha came from the future, they didn't know they had died first to come here. His marriage hadn't worked out fine. He and Pepper had just had five years together before he'd died. He'd widowed her. Not by choice mind, by necessity.

Tony sighed. He recognised Rhodey meant the wedding would turn out fine not the length of the marriage but it still lingered that this marriage could be shorter than his previous one with Pepper. They'd debated about getting married now but Pepper had wanted to marry him before Thanos arrived. She wanted to be able to call him her husband. She wanted to experience marriage… even if it was cut short by the inevitability of what Tony and Natasha still had to do.

He couldn't deny her.

They'd settled on a date just before Christmas, Pepper wanting a winter wedding in the snow. Thankfully the skies had opened up the day before and the ground was covered with snow, making it the perfect day for Pepper.

Tony wanted to give her everything she wanted. He hoped he could.

"Rhodey… Just because Pepper and I married before doesn't mean it turned out alright. Things are different now. I'm different. Everything I've been doing lately has been changing me. We might not have long together…"

Rhodey shook his head. "You two will make it."

"You said that before." Tony pointed out, aware that on his original wedding day with Pepper, Rhodey had said the same things.

"Bit unnerving you keep telling me I've said this before, you know."

Tony laughed. "Then stop trying to reassure me."

"Start believing you two have a long future ahead of you then," Rhodey threw back.

Tony smiled gently. He could understand why Rhodey was doing what he was. It was a way to calm his nerves.

And he was nervous.

"It'll be a fantastic day, Tony, you'll see." Rhodey shook his shoulder once again. "Come on, let's get you to the altar. You don't want to be late to your own wedding, do you?"

"Pepper would kill me if I was," retorted Tony and Rhodey laughed.

"You look beautiful, Pepper," Natasha watched as Pepper moved out from behind the screen, displaying the dress she wore and the veil. It was quite a simple and plain dress with a decorative pattern across her waist and trailing down to the bottom. It was strapless and Pepper wore her hair down, splayed around her shoulders.

Natasha had done her make-up, simple but elegant, enough that Tony would be speechless.

"What was it like last time?" asked Pepper suddenly.

"Your wedding?" Natasha queried, just to be on the safe side.

"Yes."

Natasha bit her lip. She hadn't been invited. Tony and Pepper had eloped in the wake of the Snap, disappearing from public life and only informing the Avengers when they'd set up by the lake. None of them had heard from Tony for months on end though Rhodey had kept them assured they were fine and Tony was recovering from his ordeal in space.

Natasha had been disappointed they had not been invited to the wedding but had understood. It was nice to know she was fully included in this one, which was slightly more public. The press had clamoured for the wedding and Tony and Pepper had agreed for the release of several photographs after the wedding but it would be of their own choosing.

The whole affair would be private, with no access to the ceremony itself. They were marrying outside on the grounds of a hotel located a few miles away from the Avenger's Facility, with grounds covering a forest and a glade. The hotel itself was still within New York State and had a marriage licence.

To keep the hotel's owners and staff quiet about the momentous event happening within their very walls and grounds, Tony had donated a large sum of money to the hotel and given the staff a nice Christmas bonus, plus negotiated with the owners that the hotel would be closed for over the Christmas season, allowing Tony and Pepper to spend their honeymoon there, enjoying the quietness of the hotel, so close and yet so far from reality.

"Nat?" Pepper probed, wanting to know why Natasha hadn't answered her question.

"Truthfully… I wasn't there. I can't tell you what it was like. I know it was very quiet and very small. Any more detail you'd have to ask Tony about." Natasha answered honestly. She was hoping Pepper would as why she wasn't there before.

Thankfully she didn't.

Pepper smoothed her dress down. "I think I'm ready."

Natasha took Pepper's arm leading her to the top of the stairs where Happy waited for her. He was going to give her away, escorting her through the hotel to the grounds and through the arch to the glade where there was a large tree covered in snow at the centre of the hotel grounds. It was here Tony and Pepper would become husband and wife.

"Wow, Pepper, you look…"

"Stunning? Lovely? Beautiful?" teased Pepper.

"More so," complimented Happy, "but don't tell Tony. I'm sure he'd kill me for saying that."

"Possibly," laughed Pepper, linking her arm through Happy's.

Natasha, carrying the train from the dress, trailed behind as Pepper and Happy walked down the stairs, through reception and the dining hall towards the large glass doors that opened up into the grounds. The snow was soft and crackly beneath their feet. Pepper had chosen not to wear heels, instead, wearing a pair of white, flat shoes which kept her feet warm in the cold air.

They crossed the lawn towards the glade, turning to the right to follow the path to the archway. Stopping at the entrance to the glade, Natasha saw it for the first time, her eyes moving in wonder at the simplistic beauty of the place and how perfect it was for Tony and Pepper to marry.

Tony stood at the end of the altar, Rhodey at his side, hopping from one foot to the other, clearly nervous. Rhodey nudged him in the side and the genius glanced up. His eyes widened and his mouth fell open, going 'wow' as he gazed at Pepper as Happy proceeded to walk her down the aisle.

Natasha could feel how excited and nervous Tony felt. Pepper carried a bouquet of flowers in her hands, her smile widening as she saw her future husband.

In the seats watching the ceremony sat the Avengers. They'd invited the Guardians but they hadn't turned up which they hadn't been surprised about. They clearly had other things to attend to instead of celebrating a wedding.

Steve was in the front row on the right side, standing with Wanda and Clint. Clint's family were in the row behind with Sam Wilson.

On the left side sitting in the front row was Peter Parker and his Aunt May, two people who Tony had insisted on inviting. He'd spent a lot of time with Peter over the last few months and had gotten to know his Aunt quite well. He'd asked them to come despite May's misgivings; they had eventually agreed to attend, much to Tony's joy.

Natasha remembered the day when he'd confirmed Peter was coming to his wedding. He'd been positively joyful, jumping around the place like an excited child.

Vision and Fury completed the row. The guests were only small in number but it was all they needed.

The registrar was the owner of the hotel who had been ordained and had performed many weddings already. He was a middle-aged man wearing a blue suit as he stood behind Tony and Rhodey waiting for Pepper to arrive at the altar.

lWhen they arrived, Pepper turned to face Tony who stood, looking nervous. "You okay?"

Natasha watched Tony's reaction with amusement.

"Yeah, sure. Always. You look beautiful by the way." Tony reached out for Pepper's hands, holding them in his own as the turned to face the Registrar.

Natasha moved back to sit next to Steve, holding Pepper's flowers in her hands watching as the Officiant moved forward towards the couple.

"Good morning. Anthony, Virginia and I would like to welcome everyone on this lovely winter's day to celebrate their marriage. Their journey began when they first met nearly twenty years ago, culminating in their journey ending here today, and a new road opening up before them." The Officiant swept his gaze over the guests before settling upon Tony and Pepper. "If there is anyone who can say that this couple should not be in matrimony, please speak now or forever hold your peace."

No one raised an issue, exactly what Natasha expected to happen.

"We will proceed straight to the vows."

He turned his full attention to Tony and Pepper.

"Anthony and Virginia, please repeat after me."

Tony went first. "I, Anthony Edward Stark, take you, Virginia Potts, to be my lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part."

The Officiant looked to Pepper. "And, if you can repeat after me…"

"I, Virginia Potts, take you, Anthony Edward Stark, to be my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part."

Both of them smiled at one another and Natasha could see Tony was eager to seal their marriage with a kiss. It felt nice to be watching the wedding, involved. She should have been before but the Accords had torn them apart. The Officiant was moving onto the next part of the ceremony.

Rhodey stepped forward with the rings positioned on a velvety cushion.

"Anthony and Virginia have chosen these rings to represent their unbreakable bond and their undying love for one another. Anthony, please take the ring and repeat after me."

Tony picked up the plain gold wedding band and spoke the words the Officiator asked him to. "I give you this ring as a sign of our love, trust and marriage. I promise to care for you above all others, to give you my love, friendship and support, and to respect and cherish you throughout our life together." He slid the ring onto Pepper's left ring finger.

Pepper turned to Rhodey and took the ring meant for Tony. She repeated after the Officiant. "I give you this ring as a sign of our love, trust and marriage. I promise to care for you above all others, to give you my love, friendship and support, and to respect and cherish you throughout our life together." Pepper placed the ring on Tony's ring finger and pushed it on.

The Officiant smiled broadly, raising his arms. "It is with my great pleasure that I announce you, husband and wife." He inclined his chin. "You may kiss the bride."

Natasha watched as Tony leaned in to press his lips against Pepper's, holding her still against his body.

He kissed her again as Natasha joined in the clapping and cheers coming from the guests.

Though the wedding had been small and intimate it was still a special day.

At least they'd been able to marry without any unexpected surprises.

Wedding Suite

After the Wedding Breakfast and the party that had followed their marriage, Tony and Pepper retreated to the special suite that had been prepared for them by the hotel staff to spend their first night as a married couple. They had barely made it through the door before Tony was pressing Pepper against the wall, his hips gently thrusting against hers, as he kissed her deeply on the lips.

"Tony…" she murmured, groaning at the feel of him, of not just of where his hips were moving but of where his hands moved over her bare shoulders, of his lips moving against hers.

"Pep…" he breathed between kisses, his eyes full of lust and desire for the woman who was now his wife. He smiled, pressing a soft kiss to the tip of her nose. "Mrs. Stark…"

Pepper wrapped her arms around his neck, staring deeply into his eyes. "Never thought I'd ever hear those words…"

"God, it feels so good to say them," he whispered, as he trailed kisses down his neck. "As your husband, it is my job to worship you in every possible way… Tonight I will do exactly what you ask…" He pressed his hips against her again.

Pepper moaned at the feel of him. She moved one hand from his neck and brought it down between them, sliding it into his trousers to grip his firm hardness. Tony moaned into her mouth as her fingers brushed over his groin, pressing her fingers against the soft skin. "I want this…" she whispered into his ear, "inside me… I want you, Tony…"

She removed her hand and Tony took it, leading her to the bed which was draped in a soft gold colour, with little flowers decorating the fabric.

"Your wish is my command, Mrs. Stark," he said, as he unzipped Pepper's dress, helping her step out of it before gently laying it on the table opposite, being careful not to rip it. By the time he turned back around Pepper had already removed her bra and knickers and was laying back on the bed, her hair splayed around her shoulders, legs spread wide open giving Tony one of the most beautiful sights he had ever seen.

His own erection hardened just at the sight of her.

"You're a bit overdressed for this, Mr. Stark," she teased, moving a hand down between her legs, stroking herself.

Tony didn't take too long before he had divested himself of his own clothing, not bothering to place them carefully like he had with Pepper's dress. He just wanted her. God, she was beautiful to him. So beautiful and they were married. She was his wife.

Pepper was still moving her fingers between her legs, slipping one finger inside herself before Tony was joining her on the bed, his own hardness eager to join them together.

Pepper removed her hand from herself and took Tony's right hand, placing it against her centre. "Feel me."

He did so, stroking her whilst pressing soft kisses to her face, neck and breasts, slipping a finger inside of her, and then another. "You are so ready for this…" He removed his fingers, sucking her juices clean from them.

Positioning himself between her legs, he brushed his erection over her entrance, causing shudders to run through her body at the intimate feel.

He smiled as she gritted her teeth. "Just… stop… teasing… Get it…. inside!"

Pressing a kiss on her lips, he placed one hand on her cheek, he watched her expression as he slowly, torturously slid inside her, feeling her whole until he could go no further and their groins were pressed together.

"Oh my god…" Pepper breathed, moving a hand down between them to feel where they joined. "Why does this feel so good?"

"Because I love you," he whispered. "You're the first woman I have ever made love to. And be the only woman I ever will…"

Out of all the woman he had ever slept with in his life, Pepper was the only one he had ever truly loved and worshipped. Sex with her was different. Sex was amazing with her and it seemed it was just going to get better and better.

He felt a warming in his chest as he slowing began to move, pulling himself out before thrusting back in slowly and sensually, ripples running through his body. He passionately kissed her, lifting her legs up to get a better angle.

He didn't know how long he was slowly thrusting into her before she muttered 'faster' into the air and Tony increased his pace.

Noises came from Pepper's mouth as he hit different spots each time.

"I love you," she whispered.

"I love you too," he returned, lifting her legs higher, increasing his pace even more.

"Harder…"

"Fuck, Pepper…" He knew he was close, but this was about Pepper.

He thrust harder, each time her body moving up and down as he pulled out and slid back in. She was close, he could see it in her eyes.

She didn't disappoint him as she clenched her hips, squeezing him as her orgasm washed over her. She yelled his name, her arms going limp and her legs loosening from around his back.

Tony chased his own release, Pepper's own orgasm rocking back against him, and he came inside her, stilling his hips as he made her his.

He leaned down to kiss her tenderly on the lips.

"Don't leave me…" she whispered. "I want you inside me still…"

He was softening but he didn't want to pull out and evidently neither did she want him too either.

Gently, without removing himself from Pepper, he laid down on his side, hugging her close so he was still inside her.

"Thank you, Mr. Stark," she smiled up at him.

"No, thank you, Mrs. Stark." Tony ran a hand over her face and through her hair, bringing a hand down to rest one on her backside. "I love you. So much." He swallowed. "I'm glad we got to have this." He didn't want to say it but he did. "Even if it is just for a short while."

She smiled sadly at him, aware of what he was thinking. "I know. Me too."

They fell asleep in each other's arms, not knowing in just four short months their lives would change forever.

To be continued...

Please let me know what you think!

I decided that Tony and Natasha would need to offer some element of proof for their assertions they were from the future. That is why they used Mantis to read the other's feelings before having theirs done so they'd know they were not lying.

I hope everyone enjoyed the wedding. I think a few of you were expecting the wedding to go completely wrong... Or their happy day would be shattered by Thanos arriving... I'm not that mean...

Next chapter: Bruce Returns - to be posted next Sunday 26th January!

Until then,

the-writer1988