Acceptance

Light shone through the windows as Tony cracked his eyes open and groaned out loud. Groggily, he ran a calloused hand over his scruffy face and grumbled something under his breath as he sat up from his and Pepper's bed.

His eyes blearily looked around the room, subconsciously aware that his wife's weight was not next to him. The curtains billowed in the air as the wind breezed through the room, fresh air interceding Tony's nose as he breathed in and exhaled.

When he was more aware of his surroundings, he shied his eyes behind his hands. The funeral had only been a few days ago, but it taxing on his mental health.

Despite him trying his best to lean on those who will support him, it was damn hard...

Everyday felt like a life full of uphills and downhills, but much to Tony's surprise, he was able to conquer them. Not without acquiring scratches and bruises along the way, however.

The funeral was like every funeral. People would cry, some would be silent and others would stand there with an expression of just...grief. Tony held all those emotions during the whole funeral.

It didn't rain on Peter's funeral, in fact, it was a lovely day.

But...Tony didn't know whether to thank the world for its sunshine rays or curse it for being it such a depressing day.

The days after the funeral felt endless and it heeded no signs as to when Tony would grieve that certain day. Some were good, some were mentally exhausting and others...well, it was grief overwhelming his body.

He hated feeling this.

And the fact that Morgan was too young to understand what death was even harder. He had always told her about the stories of Spiderma, but even then did she know that Peter Parker was more than just Spiderman to him.

It was way past friendship, this she kind of understood. But not in the lateral where she didn't know how close they were before she was born.

A loud shriek of giggles echoed from the hallways and Tony jolted as his door was slammed open, revealing his daughter, her toothy-grin shining bright and practically melting Tony's heart.

"Daddy!"

She ran up and hopped onto the bed, her brown eyes shining.

Tony couldn't help but return the bright grin. "Hey pumpkin," he greeted lovingly as Morgan scooted herself to his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Mommy said to get you out of bed," she said simply.

"That so?" he inquired, petting her hair softly and resting his cheek against her small head. "And what did mommy make this time?"

Morgan leaned back, her tongue sticking out. "Gritts."

"Oh that is bad," Tony replied with a mock of disgust. "Lets say you use your cuteness and convince mommy to go to the Avengers Tower and have Steve make some breakfast?"

He started tickling his daughter's chin and she bobbed her head as if to agree with his plans. He smiled and abruptly flung her over his shoulder playfully, eliciting a happy giggle from her.

"Lets go, shall we?"

Going back to the New Avengers Facility had brought up mixed emotions for Tony. It was weird, considering that he recently visited to to make a time-travel and bring all the people that disappeared from the snap.

But he should've expected it because the one person that deserved to come here with him was the one person that will never be here.

Yes, he reconciled with his teammates and actually defeated fucking Thanos, thank God. It felt like old times when they saved the world from destruction and having family movie nights while Steve questions the morality of the movie they watched.

Tony only wished that Peter was here to see this.

The Avengers Facility didn't really change in the last years. He hopes that it doesn't for the years to come.

When enters the threshold of the Facility with Morgan joined at the hip and Pepper at his side, he's immediately greeted by his fellow and formal members of the Avengers.

Well, most of them.

Despite the sadness that weighed over Tony's shoulders, it felt like something or someone was holding him and giving him strength.

The nostalgia still lingered when he slipped out from the gaggle of his formal teammates. He didn't know why, but his body tugged him towards the lab, where he and Peter used to hang out and improve on Spiderman's inventions.

He hasn't been in there for awhile. Ever since moving to the lake house, there was no use in bringing to the past to the present. It was a bitter reminder to Tony and he'd rather just leave everything behind, even if he was forced to leave someone he didn't want to leave.

So there did their old lab stayed, forgotten and locked away so no one can go in.

When Tony authorized it to open, he caught the whiff of motor oil and dust flitter through his nose. Layers of dust have collected over the years, Tony noticed as he walked into the center of the room.

His heart stuttered upon seeing the second biggest desk next to his own.

Peter's.

Everything was still there. Peter's notebook that had ideas of new inventions and little doodles that he drew. Tools were scattered across the desk, having seemed that Peter was still in the middle of inventing something.

Probably something great.

Tony could feel his hands shaking as he slowly approached Peter's desk, his eyes glossy and lips pinched into thin lips, as if he was trying hard not to make a strangled, anguishing noise.

With his hands still trembling, he lifted it and allowed it to sweep across Peter's closed notebook. His fingers collected most of the dust while the others flew in different directions.

Though it looked like it had seen better days, Tony marveled at the tiny and fading details Peter did on his notebook long ago.

He held his breath as he gently flipped the notebook open, revealing a page-full of web-fluid formulas. Almost instantly, he could feel his eyes burn with tears and his throat constricting painfully.

The look of Peter's writing brought the grieving father to tears.

Tony brought his hand up to his mouth and let out a muffled cry. He closed his eyes, allowing darkness to consume his vision for a moment, glistening tears streaking down his wrinkled face.

Peter was gone, this he knew. But it hurt no less to know that his kid was gone.

The billionaire took a huge gulp of breath, sniffling and lowering his hands to lean against the chair that was scooted into Peter's desk. His exhale hitched when his calloused hands felt worn down cloth brush his fingers.

Glancing down, he saw the hoodie he had given to Peter. Though the words: MIT were fading and chipping off from the hoodie, he could see how used it was from the spider-boy.

Tony had given it to Peter out of pure desperation when the teenager decided that he walking out in the zero-temperature atmosphere didn't bother him (It did very much so).

He didn't know how steady his hands were, but Tony's fingers gently grazed over the soft fabric, plucking it from its resting position. His red-rimmed eyes scanned the dusted hoodie and faintly, he could feel his shoulders shake.

Sight blurring heavily with tears, Tony's face screwed up in heartache and complete despair as he dug his head into the MIT hoodie, a sob escaping his covered mouth.

Faintly, he could smell Peter in the hoodie. A hint of apple shampoo and oil whiffed through his nose, reminding him that this was Peter's scent.

He missed this.

He missed running his calloused fingers through the kid's jumpy and soft curls; missed having the kid playfully banter at him or on rare occasions, show physical affection.

He missed Peter.

Tony peered up from where he was smooshing his face from, looking at Peter's desk briefly before glancing at the notebook. He knew that someday this will have to be cleaned up, renovated and perhaps be used for better purposes. As of right now, new labs have been created throughout the years and this one was outdated.

Though the genius wanted to deny any renovation to this lab, he knew that this would be the last time he would be in Peter's and his lab for good.

This was part of letting go, as much as Tony despised it.

However, it didn't mean he could grab some of Peter's stuff and put it somewhere else, where it will be treasure a worthwhile.

With movement like molasses, he curled one of his arms around the hoodie protectively while the other grasped the notebook before drawing it to his chest as well.

He turned around and let out a shaky sigh.

"Hey FRIDAY?" Tony croaked, throat raw from those silent sobs.

"Yes, boss?" The AI's voice has never been so softer and kinder.

Tony swallowed thickly and looked around the lab one last time. "Get someone here to clean this up and put it in storage. This room will renovated and sealed shut until we find better use for this room."

The AI was silent, as if she was waiting for her boss to make a second choice.

But he didn't and so FRIDAY did exactly as he wanted her to.

"Renovations will be here shortly, boss."

Tony jerked his head and nodded. He clutched Peter's hoodie and notebook, slowly walking out of the lab until he found himself in the hallway. He looked over his shoulder, memorizing the whole room from to bottom.

He peeked at Peter's desk one more time.

Still untouched and liberated with dust, yet special and worth keeping.

"Make sure they leave Peter's desk," Tony murmured.

"Yes boss," FRIDAY replied smoothly before the lab door sealed shut, leaving Tony to watch the room disappear behind a metal sliding door. There was a click and he felt the of heaviness grow on his heart, but beaming with acceptness.

True, that was the last time he'll every see the lab again, but upon seeing these little objects Peter left behind, Tony knew that this was all he needed to feel Peter again.

In which, the ex-Avenger knew he and Peter could finally rest.

"You sure you don't us to come, Tony?" Pepper asked, biting her lip as she watched her husband dress up with his very expensive suite. "We still have that memorial tonight."

"Don't worry, Pep, I'm just gonna hop over there and bring some flowers for the kid and be on my merry way," Tony replied, grunting as he finally shoved his shoe on.

He felt a tender hand on his shoulder and he peered over to see Pepper's gorgeous eyes meet his brown one's.

"Did I mention how awestruck you look," the genius murmured as Pepper leaned down to press a kiss to his lips.

He could feel her lips quirk up between their kiss. "Perhaps," she answered teasingly.

He leaned back and grinned. "I'll meet you at the gala, alright? I just wanna talk to Pete before we go off celebrating his life."

Pepper smiled softly and placed cupped Tony's cheek. "Go ahead."

"Daddy!"

A high-pitched squeal interrupted their romantic moment when Morgan bounced in, her gold and blue dress dazzling in the low sun. Tony grinned widely and hoisted her up, brushing her hair away from her face.

"Hey little Miss," he greeted happily, pressing a kiss to her cheek. "You ready for the gala?"

Morgan nodded enthusiastically. "I even wore Petey's favorite colors!"

"Yeah? I'm sure he appreciates that," Tony mused softly, aware of Pepper's soft look.

"And I even got a Spider-man tattoo on my wrist! See?" Morgan held out her tiny wrist and there was a glint of a temporary tattoo that had Spider-man's face on it.

"Ah, and let me guess, Uncle Barton decided that you needed some tattoos on ya, huh?"

Morgan hummed.

"Alright, but just this once." Tony kissed her cheek again. "You're too young to get tattoos," he grumbled.

Tony placed her back on the floor, her small hand wrapping around his calloused hand. She looked up with a hopeful look. "I heard your going to see Petey, can I come?"

Briefly, his heart ached.

"Sorry, hon, I think its best that I go alone this time."

Morgan pouted and swung their linked hands back and forth. "But why?" she whined.

"How about this? I bring you there next time and you can show Peter all the drawings you drew for him, alright?" Tony asked, the corners of his eyes crinkling when Morgan released an excited gasp.

"Okay!"

"Good girl," Tony murmured, patting her head gently. "Why don't you and mommy head to the limo, I'll meet you guys at the gala in a little while."

Morgan nodded and released her hand from Tony's, skipping over to her mother's outstretched arms. When she was in her mother's arms, the little girl looked at her father and waved at him. "Tell Petey that I said hi!"

Tony smiled, ignoring how a wave of melancholy washed over his entire body.

"That I will, little miss."

The cemetery was empty. Devoid of all people;All but people who were buried 7 feet underground. Headstones of all shapes and sizes laid grounded above the deceased people. Some had a brief description on who they were, some had nothing but their death date and maybe a ominous quote engraved.

Flowers were planted in front of multiple headstones, their loved ones paying respects.

As the sun settled on the horizon, most people would be home spending time with their families. So it was odd to see a man wearing his best suit with expensive aviator glasses perched on the bridge of his nose while holding a bouquet of flowers in his calloused hands, walk in the cemetery.

Though, he was no stranger to the burial grounds.

Tony glided past the rows of headstones and continued on to his only destination while at the graveyard. On a small hill, one headstone stood alone. The more Tony walked towards it, the more the headstone revealed itself.

A small picture frame showed a boy, no older than 17 years old, with soft brown curls. A bright smile on the kid's face as his hazelnut eyes looked straight at the camera. There were bountiful of flowers surrounding the marble headstone.

A scripture engraved in gold, shone and reflected against the sun.

Tony read the words carefully.

Peter Benjamin Parker

A hero to all. A family to one.

Nel profondo del nostro cuore rimarrai sempre.

Amato e mancato ogni giorno.

Underneath the words was an emblem carved of a spider. A spider logo, so it would seem.

The man slowly sat down, his limbs protesting and back making a crackling sound in reply. Though, there was an even deeper crack in Tony's heart.

It was a quiet moment, where the world revolved around them. Even death cannot take away moments like these.

"Hey, kid." Tony's voice was soft, and gentle. As if he was talking to his newborn. His hand slowly reached the carved spider emblem, fingers gently tracing it. "Just wanted to see how you were. Seeing if the cemetery was treating you well."

He chuckled mirthlessly. "But I can see you have quite a few fans lingering around. Good. You deserve to be known. After all, you are a honorable Avenger." He couldn't help but swallow thickly.

The kid...the kid was only an Avenger for less than 8 hours before dusting to oblivion. Then only to die a few moments later.

Tony shook his head and gave the kid's headstone a small smile. "I've been telling Morgan about your grand adventures. To your Pajamas to fighting Captain America-you wouldn't believe how many drawings of Spider-Man she has in her room," he joked, feeling unshed tears form.

"I think telling stories about you helps me, y'know-" he waved his hand around in the air, contemplating the next words. "-helped me deal with grief."

He looked up and saw the sun just in the middle of the horizon. Swirls of orange, pink and blue mixed together in what could look like candy floss. The sun being its spinner as the vivid colors spun around it with ease.

"I got rid of our lab," Tony said quietly, still looking at the sky. "I suppose its an end of the era, time for something new, y'know?"

He looked down at the grave and sighed heavily. "I gotta admit kid, Pepper and the Avengers have been saving my ass one too many times. Usually, you're the one saving me...but I guess its good to ask others for help."

Leaning over, he wiped some dirt of the headstone, not even bothering to notice the one, fat droplet tear drop trail down his cheek and fall in the grass. The dirt soaked it up, letting the earth use that single tear for better uses.

Silence stretched over the billionaire as he merely stared at the marble stone with a blank expression. His eyes would wander towards the spider emblem, his rough fingers gently outlining the engravings.

Finally, Tony broke the silence. "Morgan's been asking to come visit you," he murmured, flicking away a piece of dirt that clung into the divots of the carvings. "I would've let her come, but-" he paused and smirked weakly. "I thought it would be good for the boys to hang out, but she did hi."

A soft breeze rowed across the entire cemetery, the newly cut grass swaying and swooshing, as if it was dancing. Tony felt the wind cascade over his form like a warm blanket, the delicate gust of air caressing his cheeks and knuckles.

Usually he hated wind, always musing up his hair and flecks of dirt and flies flying into his glasses, but he learned to like it. Maybe the comfort of Peter using the tender force of the winds to greet Tony every time he went to the cemetery.

Superstition...obviously.

"Did you hear that Steve is an old man now?" Tony asked abruptly, the corners of his lips quirking up. "He's as old as me now, so you can't make fun of me anymore."

A mischievous grin wormed up to his face as he arched an eyebrow. "I guess he lives up to his name now, but I'll always be your old man, as you always reminded me." Tony faintly heard the chirping crickets from afar, the sun setting and the stars finally revealing themselves to prepare the night to come.

Tony took a large inhale and then exhale, before placing the flowers right next to the headstone, just like always when he would visit the kid. There was really nothing else to say, but even with the silence between them, it felt like Tony knew Peter was listening. Silence can speak louder than anything sometimes...

He stood up, grunting in response as he straightened and placed his hand on the top of Peter's gravestone. "It's always good talking to you, Pete," he said quietly, caressing the smooth stone. "Always."

Tony bit his lip and glanced at Peter's full name, so wishing he could see Peter one more time-what he would give to see his kid's infectious smile and curly, brown hair that matched his doe brown eyes, his irises holding those deep furrows inside that looked like dark chocolate brown, the perfect combination.

"Tonight, we celebrate you and God, I hope you can hear the music from the heavens. We'll make sure that Led Zeppelin is playing too."

He took a shaky breath as he gave one last brush of the marbled gravestone. "Thank you for everything, kiddie." I love you, son.

and with that, he turned his heel and walked away. A sudden gust of wind enveloped Tony momentarily before it breezed over to the gravestone. The flowers swayed and danced as the petals freed themselves from the sepal and twirled around the memorial stone.

The ex-Avenger continued to walk in his tracks, a large smile overwhelming his lips, but he didn't turn around as he felt the wind carry tender whispers from behind him. It was faint and soft, flurrying across the earth's air and it continued until he exited the threshold of the cemetery.

If Tony turned around, he would have seen a teenage boy, the outlines of his body glowing gold and his face no longer holding the scars or what he held on his shoulders, sitting on the tombstone with one hand planted beside him and the other in the air. He wore a worn out hoodie that had a logo of MIT stitched across it, used jeans and sneakers completing the outfit.

The brown curls bobbed up and down, his thin lips wearing a wide smile as Peter waved a goodbye.

"See you around, dad!"

so yea, i live.

a series? what? yeah, eventually.