Thanks so much for the alerts and reviews on the previous chapter. Because of that here's a short follow up taking place directly after Tony's funeral. Tissue warning!
Title: Hard lesson
author: Cindy Ryan
spoilers: all
category: missing scene, ficlet
Slowly the crowd dispersed. Peter stayed where he was at the edge of the pond staring out at the water. He could feel concerned eyes on him, but he didn't turn. His brain was having a very hard time processing what had happened and the five years he'd lost. It was almost too much. Personal pride and respect for the deceased was the only thing keeping Peter on his feet.
though he'd seen it happen Peter still couldn't put that word next to Tony Stark. The man had been his hero in every sense of the word. There didn't seem to be anything that Tony couldn't do. No enemy that he couldn't defeat. Part of him had known that Tony was only human. Human as Peter was. That the Iron Man suit could break. It could fail. Still that had seemed a very far flung possibility. Until Thanos had brought it crushing down. Peter swallowed hard fighting against the tears. Peter knew if he cried now everything would overwhelm him. He wasn't ready for that; not yet. Suddenly a tiny hand took hold of Peter's right one. He looked down at five year old Morgan Stark.
"I miss him."Morgan said simply.
Peter nearly lost it. He closed his eyes tight against the grief and squeezed the hand of his mentor's daughter. A daughter he didn't know about. Once more the anguish and anger of five years lost raged and Peter shoved it down. He wasn't a big brother then but he could be one now. Blood didn't matter when it came to family. Tony Stark had proven that. Letting go of Morgan's hand Peter slowly knelt so he was eye level with the brown haired girl.
"You know who I am."Peter stated softly.
Morgan nodded.
"My Dad...he missed you when you were gone."Morgan commented sadly.
Peter ducked his head. Then after a beat raised it.
"Your father is a hero."Peter said quietly. "He saved my life and millions of others; brought us home."
"I know, but I still miss my Dad."Morgan said her voice barely a whisper.
"Me too, kiddo."Peter replied in a hoarse voice as he scooped Morgan up and held her against his hip.
After a last look at the pond Peter turned and slowly walked back to the cabin.
"Let's find your Mom."Peter suggested grimly.
As small hands hung onto his shoulder Peter focused on the house ahead. It'd been a home of Tony Stark's that Peter had never been in. Now he was entering it knowing Tony would never set foot in it again. Peter was grateful to Tony for everything up to and including saving his life, but walking in the house alone with only little Morgan it just wasn't fair. Life was teaching Peter a lesson one that was very hard to learn. Peter would take that lesson and tuck it away along with everything else Tony Stark had ever taught him and move on as best he could.
end