Warnings: This does contain graphic depictions of decaying body; specifically Peter Parker's. Please be aware.

Bargaining

You, Me;

Nothing is Free

Even 'Love' costs 'Love'

Tony couldn't rest as he watched the world become smaller and smaller as they ascended in the air. He felt like it was suffocating him at times. When Tony boarded on the Quinjet, the whole Avengers were sitting there, waiting for him to come on.

He knew that even if he did protest, they would still come and make sure he was alright.

Tony was grateful, but deep inside him, it told him that they were just showing him pity.

There was a soft, gentle touch on his shoulder that made him tense up. He looked up to see Pepper eyeing him with worry. It wasn't uncommon so see those beautiful eyes facade a look of concern, but that's what she signed up for and she was eagerly ready to help at any time.

"You should sleep," Pepper stated softly.

Tony mumbled something and looked outside the window. Silence was what met that afterwards and Pepper didn't pry any further as she watched the sun set above the pure white clouds. A mix of orange, periwinkle and a golden hue swirled together, letting the sun set on the horizon, where the stars would greet the sky and the moon would be cast out to be a nightlight to those who wander at night.

He wondered if Peter was using the moonlight to be guided. Who knows? He didn't believe in those little tales, he was a man of logic, but it didn't mean that he didn't enjoy listening to those myths and tales. Mostly from Peter.

He was so so tired...

Slowly, he closed his eyes and allowed a vivid memory dance inside his worn out mind.

"Hey, Mister Stark?" Peter asked.

Tony looked up from his work and saw his intern looking straight at him with his lips pursed and hands fidgeting under his long sleeves. "Yes, intern of mine?"

"W-well," Peter started, now looking away from his mentor. "there's a meteor shower outside of New York City...and I was wondering if you wanted to go with me?"

Tony blinked at that question. Peter was old enough to drive, funny enough, and as soon as Peter got his driver's license, Tony got him a car, much to May's dismay (she eventually approved.) Though, he rarely uses it due to the over populated traffics and cars jamming up the streets.

He realized that Peter has only taken the car to take MJ to prom and some other special occasions.

"You don't have to!" The kid rambled after he didn't answer for a few moments. "I was just curious if you looked stargazing-"

Tony raised a hand, making Peter zip his lips up in a tight line.

"Honestly, I have not gone stargazing in a long while." He sighed and then though for a moment. "But it couldn't hurt to go again," he said. The teenager's eyes widened with excitement. "Really?!"

Tony chuckled fondly and wiped the excess oil of his hands with a dirty rag. "Of course, who wouldn't want to spend time with my favorite child?" Peter beamed and shot up from his chair. "That's awesome! We should probably go now before its too late," Peter said quickly.

"My car or yours?" Tony asks.

Peter froze and looked over to Tony. "Uh..."

"How about your car?" Tony says, smiling when Peter stuttered before nodding hesitantly. "If you insist," Peter replied eventually, shrugging.

"Oh, I'm sure," Tony smiled and threw the rag on his table and grabbed his jacket. "You ready?"

"Seriously, you drive better than Happy, I swear," Tony laughed.

"Tony..." Peter sighed. He only used his mentor's first name when he was annoyed at him or teased him. "I almost hit a squirrel! That's not okay!"

"Kid, there are millions of squirrels prancing around the streets," Tony smirked.

"Yes...but still!" Peter argued. "I don't like killing stuff!"

Tony raised a brow at him, a playful grin forming his lips. "Stuff?"

"You know what I mean!" Peter huffed out.

Tony hummed in response and tapped his chin a thinking manner. "Do I?"

"If I weren't the one to drive, I would totally use my web fluid to tape your mouth shut," the boy threatened, glaring at his mentor for a moment before turning his eyes towards the road.

"Nah, you wouldn't do that. You love me," Tony cooed.

Suddenly, a teasing smile graced Peter's lips. "I think I like Uncle Rhodey better."

There was a gasp from the billionaire as he threw his hand over his heart, mocking false pain. "My own kid turning against me! Well!"

"You're so over dramatic," Peter said, rolling his eyes fondly at Mister Stark.

Tony chuckled and shook his head. The rest of the ride was pretty silent, only the back round music of AC/DC playing and some annoying cars blasting their own music. Though, it didn't take long for Peter to swerve onto a dirt path and drive towards...well, nothing.

It was bumpy, but Peter didn't seem fazed about it as he drove slowly but surely to their destination.

Tony looked out the window, watching some trees and bushes go pass them they went farther and farther away from civilization.

The car suddenly stopped and the engine purred one last time before it turned off.

"We're here," Peter exclaimed happily, quickly unbuckling his seat belt and hurrying out his car door. Tony did the same and met Peter on his side, where the teenager was already gazing at the stars.

"Its so beautiful..." Peter whispered. A small chuckle emitted from the billionaire. "You stargaze all the time, what makes you think this is any different?" Tony asked. He saw Peter think for a moment before craning his neck towards him and give a small smile. "Because you're here," was all he responded with.

A grin spread across Tony's tired face, heart ever so slightly melting at the warming comment.

"Ooh!" Peter gasped with excitement. "There's a shooting star, make a wish, Mister Stark!"

Tony had the perfect moment to actually spot the star flying across the night sky. The star disappeared at the end of the horizon. One twinkle and that was it. If he blinked, he would have missed it, but he watched the small meteor vanish into just tiny particles, not even making to the earth's ground.

Somehow, Peter reminded Tony of a shooting star.

The kid was quick at learning, always a twinkle of light in a midst of darkness. Well, at least to Tony he is. A teenager kid was able to get through a so-called-cold-hearted man and got him to rethinking what he wanted in life.

A father? Maybe.

"Did you make a wish?" Peter asked, shaking Tony out of his thoughts.

"Yeah kid," Tony said, wrapping an arm around the kid's shoulders. "I did."

Little did anyone know, that the wish really did come true.

"Should we wake him up?" A soft voice asked. Tony furrowed his brow in half awoke drowsiness. It was familiar, but he couldn't get a pinpoint on anything. Not when he wasn't able to sleep very well.

"I don't think that's a good idea...maybe we should let him rest," another voice said, though it was more feminine and gentle. A hand was brushed against his forehead and he winced, eyes twitching.

"Well...I feel like we should stop hovering and actually let him rest."

It was then when he opened his eyes and blinked blearily. He saw the faces of Steve, Pepper and Rhodey hovering over his face. He groaned and shifted to sit up. They backed away and waited for Tony to be situated.

"How long was I out?" Tony asked gruffly, grimacing as a pain shot through his whole entire body.

"A little while after we ascended," Pepper answered softly. "We just landed in Wakanda."

Tony nodded tiredly and looked out the window. Even if he did sleep, he still looked like death himself. "Alright...I'm ready," Tony said quietly, slowly standing on his feet. His mind whirled and body ached. Hands were on his shoulders and arm wrapped around his midsection.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Steve asked, being one of the person to support Tony's weight.

"Yes," Tony said in a finality voice. None were spoken afterwards as they slowly descended out the Quinjet. The Avengers, including: Wanda, Bucky, Steve, Bruce Banner and Happy.

The Avengers had really declined of their teammates. Vision...Nat and now Peter was gone. Thor was out with the Guardians. Captain Marvel was already back to protecting space. Anyone else had already dispersed in rebuilding their own lives after that catastrophe. But, its still not easy for other people. It will always be a burning memory for a long, long time.

They were greeted by the king of Wakanda, T'Challa himself and Okoye who had many other guards with them.

"Tony Stark, It is nice to finally meet you," T'Challa greeted softly and nodding to rest as a greeting.

"Hey, your majesty," Tony replied, trying to joke around, but it came more of a forced action. He didn't realize that this was the first time they met each other. Maybe it could've have been better if it weren't on such a unfortunate cause.

T'Challa nodded. "Welcome to Wakanda, I hope your ride here was calm."

"Somewhat," Tony mumbled. At least no one heard him or he would've gotten a jab on his sides by Pepper.

"My sister is in her lab preparing for the operation, but it will still take time for everything to be in order. In the mean time, I welcome you to our home," T'Challa said. "I have rooms that you can occupy at the moment. Tony Stark," he narrowed his head at him. "Shuri will inform you when everything is good."

"Thank you, T'Challa," Tony said sincerely.

He nodded in return, body turning around and hand waving over his shoulder. "Come. I can you show you where you will be resting in the mean time," he said.

With the help of Pepper and Steve, they managed to get Tony off the plane safely. Everyone else kept their safe distance between each other and the 3 people in front of them.

Okoye nodded in greeting to them as they passed the numerous of guards surrounding the landing pads and followed her king beside him.

It was crazy to think that a small city could potentially help the world by their technology. Many people would have guessed that Wakanda was just a poor city and in need of many stuff, but they thought wrong on so many levels.

At least a Starkbucks will be inputted soon.

"The view is very lovely, T'Challa. Thank you for the hospitality," Pepper said gently, arm looped around Tony's for emotional and physical support. All of this was a bit overwhelming in a way. One, they were being hospitalized by a king who turns out to be Black Panther. Two, their city is far more technological than any other city she's seen and thirdly, they were going to retrieve Peter's body and oh, have she mentioned the fact that Tony will be witnessing the surgery?

Sounds more than worrying. She's seen people watch surgery in TV shows or movies, but definitely not in real life...well, maybe one time when Tony got the Arc reactor removed, but this was about a dead body. A kid's dead body.

T'Challa quirked his lips up and nodded. "Thank you. Wakanda has the most beautiful sunrises." His face suddenly fell and he looked at his beads for the time. He pursed his lips and looked at his guests. "I recommend that you rest. Shuri will let you know when the extraction will happen."

Pepper nodded in acknowledgement. "Thank you." She jabbed Tony's side softly, making his him grunt irritably and wave a hand in their direction. Pepper glared at him, but he paid no attention, only to the spectacular view from the window.

When T'Challa and the rest of guards left, Pepper craned her neck towards her husband with a pointed glare. "Tony, we need to thank them for their hospitality," she said sternly. The answer she got was Tony's hands clenching into fists.

"Please Tony." Pepper eyes shimmered with worry. "All of this is making you different. You're tenser, more agitated, and tired."

"I know," Tony snapped, but then sighed and rubbed a palm over his dreaded face. "I'm just...thinking."

"What are you thinking then?" Pepper asked.

"Nothing that cannot be possible," Tony mumbled. Whether it was plan or not, Pepper knew what was going on in Tony's mind.

Is there a way to save Peter?

Tony took a nap, per demand from his concerned wife. Though, out of all the days they returned from Thanos' fight, this was the hardest times to sleep. His mind swirled with any ideas or ways to bring back Peter.

Even if it meant to bargain with anything.

To bring back Peter.

He opened his eyes and blinked slowly. How long ago since he closed his eyes? Tony looked over to the window and saw that the sun was setting over the mountain horizon. Its been that long.

Clenching the sheets beneath him, he propped himself up and looked around the bed, searching for Pepper.

There was no sign of his wife. Only the curtains around the windows billowing in the cool breeze. He grunted and sat up completely, allowing his sore muscles to stretch and bones to crackle.

That was when someone knocked on the door.

Tony turned his heel to find a guard opening the doors and nod at him. "I was told to tell you that the procedure will be happening momentarily," the guard said. Tony blinked and then nodded. "Where to?"

"Come follow me," the guard said quietly, turning to his side to let Tony come out.

Before Tony knew it, he was following the imperial guard to Shuri's laboratory.

When he was met with awe of Shuri's laboratory. The place was larger than his own, though, Shuri did live in a palace with many rooms and lets not forget that she was a princess.

He walked warily until he saw Shuri's back to him. She was typing something on what looked like a hologram. Numbers, alphabets and other encrypted words were rolling down as her eyes scanned it swiftly.

Tony cleared his throat, trying to get her attention. To which, it did. Turning around, Shuri faced the billionaire with pursed lips and a nod in acknowledgement. "Tony Stark, It is nice to meet you in real life," she said, holding out her hand.

"Yeah, it is," Tony replied quietly, taking a hold of her hand and giving a firm shake. Once they got the formalities done, she frowned and looked away. "I wish we could have met on less dire situations," she murmured.

Tony's breath hitched as he knew what she was talking about. He looked down and shuffled his feet, hands clenching into fists. "Yeah...me too," he mumbled.

Shuri nodded and turned back to the screen. "The extraction will commence soon. It will be less gruesome than any other procedure, but I heed my warning once more again," she said.

Tony grimaced and nodded. "I'm aware. I just want to get this over with, retrieve the kid's body and get the stones back."

Shuri nodded without looking at him. There was a awkward silence until Shuri spoke up. "Was Peter your son?" She asked.

Tony shook his head, breathing steadily at the mention of someone asking if he was his son. "No...more like a mentee of some sort." If anything, the Avengers were the first to ask if Peter was his son. He kind of wished that Peter was his son.

"I see, did you make his suit?"

"Eh, sorta. I made his entire suit, but he made upgrades since then." Tony smiled at a certain memory where Peter would go to his lab and work on his Spider-Suit and put new developments. Ones that made him impressed of the kid.

"His web fluids are very interesting. Sticky, Thin, yet durable at the same time. Not to mention that the web supports tons of weight on it without even breaking a sweat," Shuri murmured.

"Yeah, he was one of a kind," Tony whispered.

"I think me and him would've been great friends," she said quietly. Shuri might have never met him, but she knew that they would have made been great friends. Their smartness and childish antics could have been one hell of a time.

Tony sniffed and looked at his feet.

He wondered what Peter would be like to Morgan. His little sister...

"The room is ready for the procedure," A nurse(?) said.

Shuri nodded and looked at Tony, who was dozing off. "Tony Stark, the extraction will be happening shortly, follow me."

Tony snapped into reality and nodded mutely. He passed through many machines and into a spacey room. There was a glass wall, where he could see the procedure clearly. His breath hitched when he saw a lanky body on a metal table, form under the white sheets, while the hand was outstretched onto a operating table, the stones deep in Peter's dry bloodied hand.

The stones taunted him, the stones' light pulsing within the kid's hand. He shuddered and closed his eyes, trying to even out his breathing and trying to get rid of the graphic images of Peter turning to dust to a now lifeless body in his arms.

A hand met contact his with wracking shoulders. He looked up to see Shuri who had a soft look on her face. She squeezed his shoulder softly. "Are you alright?"

Was he? He honestly didn't know. Until he knew what he needed.

"I-I need Pep," he choked out.

Shuri wasn't expecting that answer, but she nodded firmly and looked over at the guard who was beside her. The guard tilted his head and went on his way to get his wife. Shuri remained at Tony's side, occasionally rubbing his back and squeezing his shoulder's softly.

Tony didn't cry, nor make a noise, but he could feel his heart beating like a hammer. Beads of sweat dribbled down his forehead while his hands clenched and un-clenched.

Eventually, he felt Shuri move aside and another hand moved across his sweaty forehead. Tony looked up to see Pepper's mournful eyes meet his own. She smiled weakly and kissed his cheek before wrapping him in a hug.

Feeling his hands wrap around his wife's, he could feel her steady heart thump against his own. It was a comfort to him. To know that he wasn't exactly alone.

"I'm sorry," he rasped out.

A soothing hand rubbed his back and he basically slumped against Pepper's frame. Thankfully, there was a couch near them, so she gently lowered herself onto it.

"Tony?" She murmured.

"I-I can't do it," he choked, burying his nose into her shoulder, tears leaking out now. His breathing was unsteady as he tried to brake his sobs, but to no avail.

"Shh, Tony...Its okay," she murmured.

"It's not," he whispered.

Pepper sniffed. "I know...but we'll have to try for Peter," she murmured.

Tony hiccuped and nodded into his shoulder. He wanted to see it, but at the same time, he didn't. He wanted the infinity stones gone. Plain out of existence, but now he was retrieving it from kid's body.

"Do you still want to watch it?" Pepper asked softly, running her hand through his hair.

Did he?

No, but he nodded.

The spectacle nerved Tony to no end. At least they covered Peter's lifeless head and his body. The only thing showing was his hand, to which wasn't so fast. He gagged when blood spooled on the floor at one time, and looked away when he could hear a crunch.

Pepper remained at his side. And though she couldn't bear looking or even hearing anything without grimacing, she stayed for Tony.

At one moment, Tony honestly thought that he was gonna pass out. Luckily, Pepper knew her husband when there was a panic attack.

It only took about 18.34 minutes to have all the stones removed. Yes, he counted on how long it took for the stones to be removed, yes, it was unconventional. No, he just wanted something to distract himself.

From then on, it was just nurses stitching up the wounded hand. The Stones being transferred into a silver brief case.

It was the worst 18.34 minutes of his life. He felt drained afterwards;emotionally and physically. He heard a faint click, which meant the door opened and someone entered. Tony turned around and saw Shuri with the silver brief case. She outstretched her hand with the suit case to him, indicating that it was his to return to its rightful place.

His hands trembled as he took the rectangle box that held a thousand weights.

Shuri bowed her head in a graceful manner. "The Stones are in there, sealed by one of the finest Wakandian shield. It should provide aid when returned to its timeline. Only you, and the Avengers are able to unlock." She paused for a moment before continuing. "Peter's body is currently being transferred to our morgue. You can take his body and bury it within your choosing of your area."

Tony nodded and cleared his throat. "Thank you...Shuri."

Shuri gave a weak smile and left the room with no conversation left to commit.

"I hate this," Tony mumbled, looking at the brief case with despise and hatred. The stones that killed his kid. His son.

Night crept on in Wakanda, only leaving Tony to twist and turn in the bed, trying to sleep.

His eyes stayed open, bloodshot. Mind was whirling of Peter's limp body in the arms of Thanos, giving no mercy.

Tony huffed and turned around again. His eyes wandered over to the shiny brief case, holding the Infinity stones. He heard Shuri mention that it was able to unlock when he or the Avengers would unlock it themselves.

Then, his mind thought of an idea.

What if he could use the Stones to bring back Peter? What if?

His mind paid no attention to the warnings that heeded in his thoughts. He just stood up and grabbed the brief case and fled.

The morgue was quiet, surrounded by trees and nature. No one was there to guard it, which was odd to say the least, but it was an advantage to Tony.

He stood in front of it, imagining how this would all end up. He could bring Peter back. Bring Peter back. The words repeated in his thoughts like a mantra. He clenched the handle and prepared himself to sacrifice himself for Peter.

No matter what.

Just as when he was about to walk in, he was stopped by footsteps echoing in the distance. He could've just upped and rushed into the morgue, but something stopped him in his tracks.

"Tony!" That damn familiar voice. The stoic voice that betrayed him over and over again.

He didn't bother turning around;it would be a waste of time anyways.

"What are you doing?!" Steve yelled.

Tony tensed up, but his grip on the case tightened.

"It was my fault," Tony whispered.

"What?" Steve asked. He couldn't see Steve furrowing his brows together, but he knew. Tony always knew Steve's expressions.

"It was my fault!" Tony shouted, suddenly facing Steve with something akin to anger and sorrow. "It my fault the kid is gone. My fault for Spider-Man's disappearance!" He dipped his head down and lowered his voice. "My fault for losing him..."

Cautious steps echoed against the pavement and the more it grew closer, the more he tensed up. A soft, gentle hand was placed on his tensed shoulder, but it did little comfort.

"Why," he choked out, looking up to Steve with wide, grief-stricken eyes. "Why did Peter do it?"

Steve grimaced and gripped his former colleague's shoulders, trying to show comfort.

"I-I don't understand, Steve...why?" Tony repeated, face full of remorse and exhaustion. "Why couldn't he let me do it. He had a life to continue and-and so innocent in all of this-why?"

"Tony I-" He blew a breath, trying to form words for the grieving father.

"I could do it," Tony murmured, tightening his grip on the handle of the suitcase. "I could bring him back to life."

There was pressure on Tony's shoulder and it eased barely. Steve's expression turned stern, yet his eyes understood.

"Tony," Steve pleaded. "Think about your friends-"

"Oh, what friends?!" Tony shouted abruptly, shrugging off Steve's hand off his shoulders harshly and glared at the Captain that held a warning. "You left. I wanted us to stay together, but instead you decided to fight against it," he hissed.

Steve remained silent and watched the billionaire take a breath and rub his eyes. "Peter never left, though," Tony whispered, sniffing. The Captain felt shame waving over his shoulders. He left his friend that formed this friendship;helped even when he didn't want to, but Steve still left.

"What about Pepper?" Steve asked softly, looking intently at Tony. "What about Rhodey?"

"Peter could be here instead of me-"

"What about Morgan?"

Tony clamped his mouth shout and looked down. He thought of his daughter;sweet and innocent. Full of light during his darkest years.

"Would you leave your daughter fatherless? What would Peter say? How would Peter feel when you sacrificed himself for you when he was the one to sacrifice for you," Steve said and lowered his head. "Spider-man knew what he was doing. Tony, You have to understand," he begged.

Finally, Tony let go of the case. The suitcase clattered onto the floor and Tony's shoulders violently shook as he choked back a sob. "I-I want him back so b-badly-"

Strong arms wrapped around his neck, and noticed that Steve was hugging him. He didn't want the comfort, but he needed the comfort.

"Why?" Tony asked, breaking down sobbing afterwards. Steve rubbed hands against Tony's back and grimaced. The suitcase was long forgotten as it stood between the two men.

Steve sighed and let the older gentleman break down.

"Because that's what superheroes do."

Bargaining was a hard chapter to write, but I hope you felt satisfied with it. Also, You guys have been asking for Peter's friends and other fam to react to his death, but worry not dear readers, i shall grant it next chapter! Happy 4th of July and please review :)

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