- Hey… - that was the first thing Tony heard when he woke up in the infirmary. - Good Morning…
- Pep…? - he looked at the woman with his eyes half open, still groggy.
- Hi… - she smiled at him, stroking his shoulder. - How are you feeling?
- Drugged.
- Bruce gave you a sedative. You slept for almost two days.
- Why? I'm fine.
- Tony, you're everything but fine. You need to take it easy.
- What I need is a shave and a cheeseburger. - the man pushed the sheets aside and got up; and he was about to remove the probe from his arm when the woman stopped him, holding his hand.
- What are you doing?
- Getting out of bed to go shave. Can you ask someone to bring me 3 cheeseburgers?
- If you take this off, you'll pass out again...
- Pep, I spent a month in space. I really need a cheeseburger...
- Tony, you're weak. You need to relax. - Pepper said in an authoritative tone.
- Okay. Relax. - he took a deep breath. - I'm relaxed. Can I have my cheeseburger now?
...
- This is not a cheeseburger. - Tony commented, staring at something that looked like soup.
- It's healthier than a cheeseburger. - Pepper said, adjusting the pillow behind him. - And you need the nutrients. So please eat. - she sat on the bed and watched him take the first spoonful, ready to offer help if needed. - Is the light bothering you? I can close the courtains a bit more. - she looked at the window, which revealed a little of the early morning sun.
- It's okay. - Tony said, feeling the faintest sun rays penetrate his skin for the first time in a long time. - So, how are things going here?
- Everyone is... Well... Traumatized. But we're trying to recover.
- And where were you when... - Tony couldn't finish the sentence. And Pepper pursed her lips for a moment, before saying:
- At home, on the phone with... May. She was looking for the kid, and we both knew he could only be with you.
- Did she... - the man couldn't finish the sentence again. And it took Pepper a few seconds, before she could answer:
- Yes... - and then Tony sighed, lowering his head. - You know it's not your fault...
- I know. We all lost together, as Cap said. - Tony said irritably, dropping the spoon. - Oh wait. That's not what happened!
- Don't be mad at him... - Pepper asked. - He was with the others the whole time. He was in Wakanda when it all happened, and he fought until the last second.
- It didn't help much, did it? - Tony said seriously. Then they both heard the door get open and looked in the same direction.
- They are back. - Happy said, and Stark asked surprised:
- Back from where?
...
- So you just killed him? Simple like that? - he couldn't believe it.
- Simple like that. - Steve confirmed.
- That's not possible. He can only be deceiving you, and believe me, he will look for revenge! Do you guys have an idea of what you just did?! Tony shouted, then put his hand on his chest and started breathing hard.
- Tony! Pepper crouched by the wheelchair and put her hands on his shoulder and his free hand. - Tony. Look at me. Breathe. - She inhaled slowly and let out a long sigh, being copied by the man.
- No one else is going to die. - Thor said, arriving at the place.
- How do you know that? - Stark asked, still a little breathless.
- Because this time I've gone for the head. - the God of Thunder replied, dropping the Stormbreaker on the table, covered in purple blood.
- But what about the stones? - Pepper asked, after taking a long look at the ax.
- Thanos destroyed them before we got there. - Carol Danvers informed.
- And you believed what he said? - Tony almost found it funny what she said.
- My father could be a lot of things, but a liar was not one of them. - Nebula, who was silent until then, guaranteed. - The stones no longer exist.
- Then that's it. It's the end. Pep, help me get out of here. - Stark said, and the woman started to push his wheelchair towards the exit.
- Tony, there must be something we can... - Natasha tried to have faith, but couldn't think of an alternative.
- No, there isn't. Without the stones, there's nothing we can do. It's over. Accept that. It will be easier for everyone if we do this. - Tony said, before leaving the room.