A/N

Vivactil is a drug used to treat depression

English to Italian

They scare me sometimes- mi fanno paura a volte

The team found themselves once again, shoved roughly back into the current Tony's mindscape. Wordlessly, Natasha placed a hand on Clint's shoulder to try and steady herself as she felt the events that she witnessed from Tony's time at MIT, particularly those involving Sunset, resonate with her sharply.

Miss Bain's manipulation and acting skills were impressive for an untrained civilian.

He was your friend don't commend the person that hurt him! How did he stand me? I started that friendship by trying to manipulate him exactly the same way when we first met…

The sense of guilt she had held almost doubled at finding another comparison between herself and Tony.

Stark lost his innocence young too-just like me.

She swallowed audibly, trying very hard not to think of the horrific methods the Red Room used to accomplish the same outcome that Tony had gained from his relationship Sunset.

"It's funny to think how we just saw the playboy got played." Clint's remark snapped Natasha sharply out of her thoughts, she was about to slap him lightly over the head to chastise him for the insensitive remark but Rhodey beat her to it, slapping him roughly right across the face.

WHACK!

"What the hell?!" Indignantly, Clint retorted as he rubbed his reddened cheek.

"What Sunset did wasn't funny- "Angered, Rhodey began before Wanda cut him off and stepped up to Clint's defence.

"Funny is the wrong word, it's more ironic," Wanda slid her hand into Clint's, the edges of a nasty smile beginning at the corner of her mouth. "Stark's night time activities and the way he used women were well documented- Sunset was nasty but you know what they say about Karma."

Rhodey noticed Natasha's eyes narrow cuttingly at the side of her head, her expression mirroring what must be shown on his own face.

"Karma is a bitch, a lot like you." Rhodey found himself hissing at her, Natasha's lips twitched upwards at him in approval as he whirled around and stalked away from her.

Observing Rhodey's brutal retort to Wanda, Steve found himself oddly torn. He was unsure whether he should go and comfort her or tell off Rhodes for being so mean to a kid- however seeing Clint wrap an arm protectively around her shoulders made up his mind for him.

He decided to do neither.

In the last memory, Tony and Rhodey's relationship reminded him very much of the closeness that existed between himself and Bucky. Furthermore, the way young Tony stood up to Stone reminded him very sharply of the similarities between him in 1930's Brooklyn, especially the way he fought back against the Bully.

"Are you alright Punk?" Bucky's kind voice brought him out of his daze, and he found himself staring at his best friend, it was times like this that he almost forgot that Winter was also present in his best friend's head.

"Sure jerk," Steve patted Bucky's arm companionably, "I just realised how the young version of Stark- no-Tony acted a lot like I did back in 1930's Brooklyn."

"Yeah, I saw that too, you and Stark both seem to be made of similar stuff." Bucky's whole face brightened before his eyes dulled and his smile fell, "I bet we all could've been good friends had the circumstances been different."

"Aye, Man of Iron like you both my comrades has shown that he has always possessed the heart of a warrior despite being puny." Thor strolled over to both Bucky and Steve with a jovial, proud smile adorning his lips.

"Ooo Tony wouldn't like you calling him that." Steve joked in reply, Thor's demeanour succeeded in lightening his mood, however this didn't appear to work on Bucky who still seemed down.

"Ah well, he seemed to have recently adjusted to my way to giving compliments." Thor shrugged before his voice became more sombre, "My apologies I couldn't help but overhear your conversation. I know of your Civil War, but I know not of the personal rift between yourselves and Man of Iron."

Steve and Bucky looked sharply to Thor then, both of them had kept silent about what had happened in Siberia and- from what they knew- Tony hadn't told anyone about it either. Granted, though Bucky was the one who wanted to come clean about it to the rest of the team but Steve insisted that he should be the one to inform the others at the proper moment.

After all, it wouldn't make any sense to reopen the wounds that taken had two years to heal, not when the team was as fractured as it still was.

"My observations do not lie, but some advice my comrades, I found that time is the best healer of wounds. I believe the Being is here to aid us in mending our personal bridges with Friend Anthony. I know that he has forgiven me for my misdeeds towards him.-"

"Hang on, Thor you haven't hurt Tony- "Steve protested but Thor's expression became regretful.

"Aye, you witnessed it did you not? I held him up by the throat- I allowed my rage to blind me. A mistake I will not make again. When I returned, I had to work to restore our friendship to what it once was, avoidance and hostility is not the way to do this. I trust you will amend your ways once we leave here." Both Bucky and Steve nodded, the God of Thunder smiled in return and guided them over where the rest of the group were talking amongst themselves.

"…It was strange for me to see him so young and to see how little DumE has changed over the years." Glimpsing the Androids face, Vision appeared almost nostalgic as he described DumE in detail to both Scott and Peter who buzzed with excitement at each side of him.

They each were pressing him for details on how Tony accomplished making DumE at 15 with the tech at the time, the complex answers that they got in reply seemed to feed their thirst for knowledge.

Steve however, was very quickly lost, and found that his attention was quickly drawn to Rhodey and Bruce's conversation at the other end of the group.

"…you were so lucky to have Tony as a friend. I was bullied too at school and it got so bad that I attempted to blow the place up with myself inside. No one liked me or stood up for me back then…but Tony did, he even defended the other guy just hours after meeting me! I thought he was insane at first."

Rhodey laughed in reply, "That sounds like Tony."

Steve found himself having to look away.

Yes, that was like Tony, standing up to bullies, villains and the press alike.

"My name is Tony Stark and I'm not afraid of you." He remembered his heart being in his mouth when he saw Tony declaring war on the Mandarin from a TV in a shop window. Declaring war on a big powerful terrorist, he wanted to do something- anything to make his friend shut up.

Couldn't he see he was signing his own death warrant?

Then he remembered himself standing up to the man who had been rude about the war recruitment advert in the theatre, the man had punched him three times and he had still gotten up. When the man had jeered at him to give up he had answered with, "I could do this all day."

Now that he thought about it Tony hadn't changed at least not that much, underneath all the bravado- underneath the mask.

Why haven't I seen this before?

Out of the corner of his eye he noticed the Being reappear and walk towards the group, Steve straightened.

"Now are we all ready to move on?" The Being's hands lit up with a bright golden magic as he got a series of nods as his answer. "Now I feel I should warn you, that some of you especially," His gaze met Steve's, "will find these memories emotionally distressing. Brace yourselves."

Without another word, the Being vanished and their surroundings began to morph and melt like wax as the colours swirled around them.


"Wake up dear and say goodbye to your father."

Howard lifted the blanket off Tony sporting a distasteful expression. Things had been tense with his father ever since he went to MIT and, despite leaving now, things hadn't changed.

"Who's the homeless person on the couch?"

Howard would say little gems like that which had the unique power of making Tony feel absolutely crap about himself. "This is why I love coming over at Christmas right before you leave town."

Tony lightly jested as he lifted himself off the couch wearing an old Santa hat.

"Be nice dear, he's been studying abroad." Tony smiled in response to Maria, who they noticed had dyed her hair blonde since they last saw her, Tony moved to stand by her whilst she continued to play the piano.

"Where are, you going?"

"Your father's flying us to the Bahamas for a little get away."

"We might have to make a quick stop." Howard spoke up.

"At the pentagon, right?" Tony delivered that question rather sharply to Howard before his tone became lighter and more teasing as he glanced at Maria and leant down. "Don't worry you're going to love the holiday menu at the Congressary."

"You know what they say sarcasm is a metric for potential, if that's true you could be a great man someday."

Howard retorted as Tony straightened and walked away from them both, biting his tongue. Aiming a glare at his father, Tony crossed his arms.

"I'll get the bags." Howard walked from the room.

"He does miss you when you're not here." Maria muttered softly.

Restraining a snort, Tony instead kept his expression very stone faced and stared away from her.

She walked over to him, and moved closer to softly grasp his arm and look into his eyes.

"Say something, if you don't you'll regret it."

Howard walked back over with the bags.

"I love you Dad," he turned back to Maria "and I know you did the best you could."

Maria kissed him on the cheek as her and Howard walked out.

"That's how I wish it happened." They startled at the Adult Tony's voice and turned to face him although he didn't seem to be able to see them and he, like his younger counterpart, had frozen and was beginning to disintegrate into white and gold fragments.

"What the fuck?" Clint asked, his eyes were stuck staring at the space where current looking Tony had just disappeared.

"You know what they say sarcasm is a metric for potential, if that's true you could be a great man someday." Their heads snapped to where the voice of Howard came from and the three figures of Howard, Maria and Tony gradually became corporeal again, mirroring their earlier positions.

Tony walked away from them both and aimed a vicious glare at his father.

"You would know."

"Tonio-"

"No Maria, if Anthony has something to say let him say it." Howard lifted his chin in an almost challenging manner as he walked over and leant against the Piano near Tony, Maria sighed heavily.

"You are going to the Pentagon, at Christmas because you discovered how to recreate the super soldier serum, how to create others like Captain Asshole. Because you couldn't shake this ridiculous obsession and face the truth that your old buddy – the perfect blonde Adonis that you seem to be in love with is fucking dead-"

Howards fists clenched and his jaw tightened, "You have no idea what you are talking about! Grow some respect, the way you are talking is disgusting!"

Tony grinned vindictively, "Oh I do know what I'm talking about, I've lost people too- have you forgotten that? I'm curious now, why should I show respect for him? For you?" Pointing at Howard with an accusingly finger before he dropped his hand and snarled, "Perfect Captain America, the ghost of a legend that you value above your family." Tony stalked closer to Howard, they could feel the anger coming of him almost like he was radiating it. "What kind of hold must he have over you for you to dedicate the majority of your life's work to finding him and that stupid serum? It's pathetic Howard!"

Tony was as unprepared for the slap as they were.

His head snapped violently to the side away from them while Maria started upwards and the piano stool fell backwards on to the floor with a loud BANG.

They all sucked in a harsh inhale. Steve went several shades paler and struggled to swallow past a lump in his throat which was clogged up thick heavy guilt.

Stunned, Tony lifted a hand to his cheek and stumbled backwards.

"Anthony-" Deeply apologetic, Howard moved forward but Tony flinched further backwards and pressed himself against the wall.

"You just hit me…" Tony stared at him wide eyed, "Why-why would you do that?"

Appearing equally distressed, both Bruce and Clint exchanged loaded looks with each other as they became very aware and disturbed by the similarities this was showing to their own childhoods.

"You just kept pushing and pushing, Tony I- "

"Is he freaking serious?" Outraged Spiderman shrieked. Although they couldn't see the young man's face, his body was wound up tight like a bow string.

Vision's face went taunt with anger as well, upon seeing this Wanda moved to comfort him.

"Just go, actually I don't think I want to hear it." I don't want to hear you say it was my fault. Tony turned away from him, "I'll grab your shit so you can leave." Howard was about to follow, Tony into the other room but Maria grabbed his arm and spat in a hushed but angry hiss.

"There is no excuse for slapping our son, don't try and push it on him. This was you! When we get back you will fix this."

Howard gulped and nodded, his eyes were filled with a renewed determination and guilt.

They all knew that he would never get the chance to fix it.


"Hey Aunt Pegs," Tony spared her a brief smile before trying to continue on down the lifeless whitewashed corridor, his destination was the steel door at the other end of the room but Peggy quickly blocked his path.

"Tony, what are you doing here?" Alarmed, Peggy put her hand on his shoulder and guided him to the chairs along the side of the wall.

"Obadiah told me my parents are here, I need to identify them- "

Tony started upward but Peggy placed a firm hand on his shoulder, "Tony, I've already done that and as your godmother I had every authority to. Obadiah must have forgotten to inform you," Peggy slouched in her chair, she seemed more tired than they had ever seen her. "Lord knows, this is a stressful time for all of us. This exactly what I was trying to avoid."

"Why won't you let me see them?" Tony's voice shook violently, they could hear the anger begin to creep in.

"They're a mess, Tony." Peggy gave a shaky upset sigh and grabbed his hand. "I didn't want you to see your parents like that- it was hard for me to even-" Peggy paused and took the hand that was on his shoulder away to squeeze her eyes. "It was hard for me to identify them."

"They're-they're really that bad then." Peggy's hand tightened around Tony's as she looked up at him with tears in her eyes and nodded.

He blanched as he felt it sink in properly before he came back to himself when he heard Peggy mutter to herself.

"For goodness sake, why now?"

They felt something tighten in his chest when he saw Peggy hastily try to wipe away tears from her face. He wrapped his arms around her and tightened his hold when he felt her tears dripping on to his shirt.


The funeral was a public affair.

Daniel and Peggy were deliberately hidden a few rows back within the crowd near Tony. At the front, however Tony was stood by Obadiah who had one arm curled around the young man's shoulders almost possessively.

Obadiah patted him on the shoulder and wished him luck as Tony was called up to speak.

After being silent for an awkward amount of time Tony positioned himself in front of the podium and screwed up the sheet of paper in his hand.

"I did write a speech but looking back on it the words just seem hollow now. Anyone who has lost a parent or lost both here knows how Earth shattering that can be." Tony shrugged at the crowd a few of them, including some of the reporters taking notes at the back. "I had so many experiences with my parents, mostly good ones, and they helped shape who I am today. My mother was a wonderful woman, she was the best mother I could have ever wished for... I could tell you so many stories about the times she taught me how to play the piano." Which we played together to bring her out of a dark day. " And My father was a truly brilliant man, in every sense of the word..." he just had no clue how to handle a child, "I could tell you about the many evenings we spent together down in the lab, despite my clumsiness he never got cross with me." Because he would hand me things that were painful to hold, he probably didn't even notice what he was doing. "But to narrow my relationship with my parents down to a few key memories would be an injustice to them... Even though they are no longer here, I will do my upmost to uphold their legacies in the Maria Stark Foundation and in SI respectively, I'll try to emulate them in the future and do my upmost to do things that would make them proud."

Gold spun across their vision and the scene fast forward and changed.

They were now outside of the church, snow piled across the ground, a thin layer of snow was spread across the ground, whilst it fell, thick and fast from the sky. The crowd bustled from the church and huddled around Tony like a pack of vultures would gather around a dying animal, they all fought to get Tony's attention.

"Mr Stark I'm so sorry- "

"Do you have any more to add about- "

"What do you intend to do about SI?"

"My condolences- "

"Will you follow in your father's footsteps with-"

Just get out of my FACE! For fucks sake my parents have just died!

Tony pushed away both microphone and outstretched hand alike as he stalked ahead of them all, both Peggy and Daniel covertly followed him, only to be lost from their sight too as the snow created a thick white mist that obscured the view of anything further than a few feet away.


"There you are." Obadiah smiled upon finding Tony in Howard's old lab.

He had his feet up on the steel desk, one of his hands was curled around a headless Captain America doll and he appeared to have a large cardboard box resting on his lap. However, despite this facade of relaxation, his position was too tense, his hand was squeezing too tight around the doll and he was scowling at the contents of the box.

"Here Obie listen to this." He plucked a letter from the box," 'Tony, I'm sorry.' Sorry for what exactly? Did he even know what he was sorry for when he saved all this shit? Or did he know in advance that he was going to drink drive and kill both himself and my mum?"

"Jesus Christ." Bucky muttered while he turned away from the scene.

It was worse than I thought, no wonder Stark is finding it hard to forgive me.

Residual bitterness for Howard, but I sense a longing angry note in his voice. I can manipulate both these things...oh my boy you are making it way too easy.

The Avengers all startled at Obadiah's thought ringing through their heads.

"Official sources cite black ice as the cause of the crash-" Stay diplomatic, poised you are playing Howard's friend remember.

"Obie," Exasperated, Tony looked up at Obadiah and sat up, using this movement to snag the half full tumbler of vintage scotch on the side. "I was arguing with both him and mum before they left, I saw him snag a bottle of whiskey on the way out. You can bet he was drinking on the way there."

Putting on a façade of awkwardness, Obadiah didn't say anything to that for a long time.

"Besides we bribed the coroner just in case," Tony gave him a disgusted look and took a big sip from the glass. "There was no need to make this any messier than it already was."

"Right, because at the end of the day their deaths boil down to mess." Tony snapped, Obadiah's eyes narrowed. Has he figured me out? "You and Howard think just the same always prioritising SI, making better ways to tear people apart and blow people. I don't want to make weapons. I don't want to make mess. I want to help people."

"Tony," There was a hint of danger in his voice now. It was time to press on his weakness. They felt sick. "By making weapons you are helping people like your friend James," both Rhodey and Tony stiffened, "he's a Lieutenant, now isn't he? Would you really trust him to be protected by one of our competitors like Hammer?"

"Nasty manipulating bastard." Rhodey muttered, angry that he hadn't seen how Obadiah was twisting Tony right from the start.

"Now I'm not saying this to hurt you or to be mean," Obadiah moved over and perched on the edge of the desk," I'm saying the reality of the situation." Both of Obadiah's hands curled around Tony's shoulders as he smiled slightly.

The Avengers knew from Obadiah's thoughts that he was doing this subconsciously intimidate the young genius under the mask of comfort which they knew Tony would perceive it as.

"Ok, I'll keep manufacturing but how about I make a few other things on the side?" Obadiah's smile deliberately fell a little so Tony was quick to add. "Only small things, a couple of projects a month just so that I don't die from boredom."

"Alright, I'll take it up with the board." but I'll argue against you when you aren't looking. "Look at you taking charge already, your father would be proud." Obadiah paused for a moment before deliberately softening his voice, "And Tony, I've said it many times before to the press but I need you to know that you are not an obligation to me, the Starks are my family. That includes you, maybe even you especially."

No, you were both my tools, this is my company and I'm not going to lose it to a spoilt little boy like you.

They were now very conscious of the fact that one of Obadiah's hands was now spread across the side of Tony's neck. They could feel his heartbeat almost as if it were their fingers holding up his head which, coupled with Obadiah's thought of 'It would be so easy to kill you right now you little prick', set them all on edge.

All I would have to do would be to squeeze.

"You're like family to me too, I guess." Tony smiled as Obadiah tapped his neck and winked, bringing that hand away to rest instead on his shoulder.

Pathetic. He's just like an attention starved Puppy. It can be amusing though to watch him try to make bigger things, better things to gain my appreciation. I suppose I have Howard to thank for that.

He's my golden goose to play with and I know how to make him dance to whatever tune I want.

"I'm sorry about earlier - after the press and everything today it's like everyone wants me to be the new Howard. The board is up my ass, pushing for my decision on whether I want to become CEO despite the fact that Howard's will said that I can only take charge when I'm 21 and I just-" Tony sighed heavily and stared into space his eyes turning distant as they focused on an empty shot glass that he had drunk at some point. "I'm not ready yet."

"Don't worry my boy. I will stay CEO for now and deal with them for you," Obadiah's hands curled tighter around Tony's shoulders and he begun moving his thumbs in smoothing circular motions to ease the tension from the young man's shoulders. "They do have a point, things would work smoother with a Stark at the helm, but I can talk to the board for you. Give yourself some time, the press has granted you a grace period, they'll be off your back for a while. Go out, enjoy yourself, maybe grab a few PHD's along the way if you feel like it-" Tony leant into his hands subconsciously, "we all know you're brilliant enough."

Tony's mouth stretched out into a small smile while he nodded and he hummed in agreement. "I'll have to sort out my parent's things here first…"

"Whatever you want to do, I have your back." Obadiah smiled softly at Tony who returned it, they could tell that only one of their smiles was genuine.


"Tony?" They spotted James enter Tony's lab which was in disarray, papers, metal and tools littered the floor.

"Come here U- not you DumE, your brother U is going to hand me the toolbox- don't look at me like that! We both know what happened last time - I swear you're becoming more like your namesake everyday…"

James dodged his way around the obstacles on the floor to find Tony balanced precariously on a step stool, working on the claw controlling part of an almost finished robot, with two almost identical robots beeping by his feet.

"Pass me the tweezers." Tony outstretched a hand in James's direction, keeping the other inside the bot holding something still in the guts of the robot's claw.

James plucked the tweezers from the box and placed them in Tony's hand.

Tony startled the moment James's hand touched his and swore.

"Damn! I've messed up the claw to camera coordination- "Tony frowned before shrugging, "I won't be able to fix that. Oh well, I can just call him Butterfingers." He looked down and grinned when he saw James's face. "Ready to become an uncle, Rhodey?"

Without waiting for an answer, he clicked a switch inside the bot's head and folded the metal together, Butterfingers claw perked up slowly.

Grinning, Tony moved down from the stool, he watched the bot survey himself before looking up to Tony and beeping.

"Hey Butterfingers, "the bot chirruped at his name causing Tony to smile at him, "I'm your creator Tony, this is your uncle Rhodey and these are your brothers DumE and U." Stepping forward, Tony patted the bots claw as he gestured to DumE and U with his other hand. "Come on let's show you- "

"Tones, I need to talk to you a minute." James's eyes appeared serious despite smiling slightly at the display between Tony and his bots.

Tony's smile dropped, he led his bots away to a corner of the lab to look around before he walked back to James, who appeared very uncomfortable.

"Look it's probably not my place to say this because I have no idea what you are going through- "

"Rhodes- "

"It's been a month, Tones. Shouldn't you have packed up their things by now? It just seems unhealthy to leave their things about like they are still alive, man- I can help you sort through everything if you want."

"Nah, I'll be fine to look through it by myself. Thanks for the offer though…" Tony smiled but his eyes lightened when he noticed the bots were exploring his dad's old car. "Oh, my God DumE you are covered in oil! What did you do? You got your siblings dirty too. Well done. Both you and U should know better leading baby Butterfingers into your mess."


They spotted Tony sorting out the kitchen, quickly deducing from all the taped-up boxes lining both the floor and the table that he was almost finished cleaning it out.

There was only the almost empty medicine shelf positioned high above Tony's head, he was on his tiptoes trying to reach one last pill bottle at the back.

His expression lightened as he managed to successfully grab it before it fell when he saw the label on the bottle, he visibly swallowed and placed it to one side away from the other handful of pills.

Vivacitil

Maria Carbonelli Stark

Take 3 a day.

"Where is it?" Maria's distressed mutter echoed around them as the room darkened, the Tony in front of them disappeared as Maria came into view seeming much more distressed as she rummaged through the pill cabinet that they had seen Tony stand in front of.

Frantically moving downwards and opening the draws, she became more and more panicked when she couldn't find what she was looking for.

"Looking for these?" Maria spun around at the younger Tony's voice before she like the others squinted as he twisted the light switch with one hand to give the kitchen a dim yellow glow.

She stilled for a moment, taking in the sight of her son holding the prescription bottle in one hand.

"Yes." Her lips pursed, she grabbed the pills from his hand and instantly poured out three of the orange tablets into her hand before she grabbed a cup of water on the side and drank the pills down.

"Madre, why didn't you tell me?"

Her eyes narrowed at him and she gave him a very dark and guarded look, he took a seat at the table, approaching her like a frightened animal.

"What's Vivactil?" Bucky asked looking to Bruce who looked at Maria with a wretched expression.

"It's a drug that's used to treat depression. I suspected that she had it but I hoped otherwise. It's a horrible thing to live with, trust me I know."

"I've always had mild depression Tonio. There were… There were the Dark Days where I would really feel down for no reason or not want to get out of bed for anything. I lock myself away then. I didn't want you to see me like that. Howard got me these." She tapped the pill bottle with one finger, "to try and help."

"I had guessed. The name 'Dark Day' is suspicious," Tony gave a half shrug, "But I can help you through them now-"

"No Tonio you don't get it, you can't help me-"

"Why not? You can call me if one hits you when I go back to MIT-"

"NO! It's not because I don't trust you Teroso. I do trust you." Maria sighed as she sat down," and you do help even if you didn't know it when you were younger, remember when we played together on the piano?" Maria clasped Tony's hands, "Some of the things I think when I have a dark day are...not nice. You wouldn't like me like that Tonio, mi fanno paura a volte. That's why I need to be alone."

Tony's expression went really dark and distressed for a moment before becoming determined. "Promise you'll call because I need to know that you won't- promise me you won't do anything. I will always make time for you."

"What does he think she's going to do exactly?" Steve asked in a horrified voice, like he knew but he was hoping to be told otherwise, the others who just appeared saddened and horrified they were unable to say anything in return.

The kitchen suddenly brightened as both Maria and young Tony faded appearing like ghosts before they disappeared. The seventeen-year-old Tony reappeared, they watched him gather up all the pills and chuck them in the bin, he frowned and paused before turning back around to deal with the other boxes.

Only to startle when he noticed Peggy leaning on the archway that lead to the kitchen, Tony raised a hand to his chest in an exaggerated display of shock.

"Are you trying to give me a heart attack, Aunt Peg?"

Peggy raised an amused eyebrow in his direction although her expression appeared to carry a certain weight of melancholy which was reflected in her eyes as well. "Tony, I am certain that my appearance won't cause you to have a heart attack and I see no reason why it should as I am on time."

"You-er- what?" Confused, Tony stared blankly back at her, "You weren't meant to be coming until Monday."

"It is Monday, Ducky." Peggy huffed good naturedly while she scanned him with concerned eyes.

"Ah-I knew that, of course I knew that."

"Come on," Peggy hoisted a box under her arm and smiled kindly, "Daniel's waiting outside in the car, between us we can most of these in the boot. Now which of these would you like me to take?"

"I've marked the ones that are full of stuff you both would like." Tony carefully approached as Peggy took this as her cue to peer inside the box under her arm which was marked P&D.

"Are you sure you don't want to keep this?" Peggy lifted a photo from her box which was of herself, Daniel, Tony and Howard at Tony's graduation.

"I'm many things Peg, nostalgic isn't one of them." Carefully, Tony tugged the photo from her hand and smoothed it down on top of the rest of her things in the box. It seemed to take a great deal of effort for him to tear his eyes away from the picture. "Besides he'd want you to have it."

"Complete rubbish! First we both know you are nostalgic." Tony raised a challenging eyebrow at her, "I know you Ducky and the fact that you're wearing Howards robe doesn't make your point convincing. Quite the opposite actually."

"The old man had style- besides I'm pretty sure he wore this when he was younger anyway." Looking down at himself, Tony smoothed down the brown and gold patterned long oversized shawl and wrapped it around him. "It means nothing."

"Poppycock. Secondly, I know he would've wanted you to have this photo," Tony snorted at that while Peggy took the photo back out from the box and held it out to him. "I want you to have it. Keep it safe for me."

"You win." Tony smiled as he took the photo from her and slid it into his pocket, "Let's not keep Uncle Daniel waiting."

At this, he ushered her from the kitchen and hoisted two boxes marked P&D under each arm before he left too.