Silence filled the huge lab, as it was usually always blaring with music, or the constant yelling at poor Dummy for breaking things.

"Tony?" Steve said quietly several feet back from the inventor. He did not want to scare him, as Tony could literally get lost in his work, zoning out in his own mind. He also wanted him to sleep because he knew he could not last night.

Nightmares...they never leave.

"Tony?" Steve said a little louder, a hint of worry in his voice.

"Huh?" Tony pulled off his goggles, confused as to what was going on. "Oh, hey babe. What's up?" His eyes cut to the pizza box in Steve's hand. "Right, yeah, is it dinner already?"

"Yes, honey." Steve sat down on the couch, patting the cushion next to him. "You need to eat...and I need to see you." He blushed as Tony rolled his eyes.

"How could I say no to you?" Tony melted into his lap and gave him a sweaty kiss. Steve inhaled the oily mess of a scent that covered his husband.

"I'm irresistible like that."

After a minute of pleasure, Tony stopped with a huge yawn.

"Ok, I think you're done for the day." Steve decided.

"But I have to-"

"I think it can wait, since the universe hasn't gone anywhere in the past two weeks." Steve joked, which caused Tony to snicker, despite his seriousness. There was still so much he could be doing to make things better...for everyone.

"Can't be too careful..." Tony mumbled, trying but failing to hide the fact that his eyes were heavier than his new suit.

Steve kissed his forehead. "I love you, Tony...and I-"

"You apologize to me again, I'm grounding you to babysitting Thor and Peter on their trips into the city."

"Those are really fun..." At Tony's look, Steve corrected himself. "When it's harmless fun that's not illegal."

"They are a handful...gives me a headache just thinking about it. We've got enough bad PR as it is."

"Honey, that was almost three years ago..."

"People have hated us since the Chitauri. It sucks, but you can't ever make everyone happy. There's always going to be a Ross or a Zemo out there trying to stir the pot." At Steve's wince, he paused. "Too soon?"

"Seems like yesterday...and yet, a lifetime ago." Steve hugged Tony tight, rubbing his back soothingly. "I think I just missed you too much. Especially with..." Steve never wanted to bring up the fact that Tony was a ghost, since it still freaked Tony out when people touched him without warning. That was why Steve always tried his best to make his presence known. He did not want Tony living in fear every day.

"Yeah...I don't know if I'll ever get over that." Tony shivered. "But I can't do it without you or Peter...not again." His voice cracked. He was still so scared. This was something he will never get over, and he hated himself for being so weak.

Because Stark men are made of Iron...

I am Iron Man...

What did that even mean anymore?

"No, no, no...honey, look at me." Steve was mere inches from his face. "I'm never going to leave you again. I'm never going to let anything bad happen to as long as I can breathe. What's in the past stays in the past. I'm not going to let the nightmares get you again. I will always be right here." He placed a soft hand on Tony's chest, right where the arc reactor used to be.

Tony will never get used to people touching him there, even Steve, whom he trusts more than anything.

"And I'm going to do my part as well." Tony took a bite of pizza, earning him a huge smile from Steve. "But you gotta let me tinker every now and then."

"Within reasonable working hours. And besides, Peter is about to have a big break from school, which I'm still shocked by..."

"Hey, the school is going to take a millennia to catch everyone up. The world is a shit-show right now. Everyone is trying to play catch-up..." Tony sighed. "But I see what you mean. Hey, I already have us all a beach house in Florida booked for that whole week, so nothing but fun in the sun."

"As long as you're with me, that's all I care about."

Even after the initial shock of everyone coming back, it was still an uphill battle. Nightmares plagued everyone for obvious reasons, but during the day, things were looking up. The war that teared them apart initially was a thing of the past. They started to heal. Family dinners were scheduled so everyone could attend. Holidays were also being planned out. The Compound was in the process of being expanded to make each part of the team more comfortable.

However, they were nowhere near perfect, as they still squabbled amongst each other, they still struggled to win battles here and there...

They were still haunted in their dreams.

No matter what they do, the nightmares never fully receded. Some nights were better than others, but there was always someone else up to help the other through that difficult period of waking up and trying to grasp onto reality again. Every person, no matter their past, had a story to tell, and that story was full of ups and downs. Sam offered himself up as an anonymous counselor for any who wanted to have someone to talk to. Natasha taught a yoga class every morning before breakfast. Family movie nights were scattered throughout the week, and Tony was always coming up with fun activities for them to do. Because at the end of the day came the night, which was always the hardest time. But seeing everyone come together to help and support each other, well, it cannot get any better than that.

So the real nightmare had finally ended...