Out Of Time

hundred twenty-one

Spring was in full bloom in New York City, yet Tony couldn't have cared any less. It had been a little over ten months since Y/N had disappeared from the compound, and he was exhausted due to the search efforts he was continuing to do. The continual searching on top of now being a mentor for the new hero, Spider-Man, had him basically running on fumes.

Sleep had always been a luxury to Tony, especially when he was alone. FRIDAY continually monitored his sleeping habits, having Rhodey, Happy, and Pepper also remind him to rest. But he couldn't. Not until he found her.

Tony was almost convinced that Y/N was dead. There had been no word. Unlike with her brother and the other former teammates, Ross heard rumors of their locations all the time. But there was never anything about Y/N. That didn't let Tony give up though. He was going to bring her home, whether she was dead or alive. He needed that closure, at least for himself.

After selling the Tower, he bought a penthouse near Central Park. He often walked the park in the early morning and midnight hours, when it was the most empty. It allowed him to think, to work off some of the worry it constantly had for everyone in his life.

He had been wandering around Central Park for most of the night when it happened. He couldn't believe his eyes, he honestly thought he was dreaming. There Y/N was, exiting a portal. Tony hid behind a tree. He watched as she looked around, seemingly checking to see if anyone had noticed her before heading off. She was alive and she was in the city. At least... if Tony wasn't hallucinating.

Tony's mind immediately started turning with questions. What was she doing here? Had she been here the whole time? How had she not been noticed if she had? And if she hadn't, where had she been? And where was she currently headed?

He quickly followed after her. But made sure that he wasn't too close where she could sense him and disappear. Tony followed as Y/N walked through the city to the Brooklyn bridge. She crossed it, which made Tony wonder where exactly she was headed and why she couldn't have just portaled herself there.

Y/N went from Bucky's arms to her palace room, where she got ready for the day. She didn't pack up anything, hoping to not take too long. There used to be one person she always relied on when she was confused, and she was hoping that this may even solve the problem she was having with the Soul Stone. Wanting the walk and to see the city again, Y/N appeared in Central Park.

She didn't realize how much she missed the city until she was back, walking its streets. It was still early morning, not too many people were out yet. Which was fine. Y/N had made sure to dress warmly and so that she wouldn't get easily recognized.

She made her way to the Brooklyn Bridge and headed over it. Y/N knew that she was taking a ridiculously long way to her destination. But it was giving her a chance to see the city and clear her head. When she arrived at her final destination, she paused looking up at the sign.

The Brooklyn Cemetery wasn't all that big. And there wasn't many new gravesites. Most of them were from a hundred years ago. Though she hadn't come since the few years after she woke up, Y/N knew right where she was going. She stopped in front of the headstone, looking down at it with her hands stuffed in her pockets.

"Hey, Ma," she whispered. "Hey, Pa."

Tony stopped, just feet away, hiding behind a tree. He made sure that he was close enough to hear Y/N though. It caught him off guard to hear who she was talking to. She rarely ever mentioned her parents while they were together, let alone visited them. At least that he knew.

"I'm sorry I haven't been here in awhile," she continued. "It's... a lot has happened since I visited last." She shook her head. "Which was far too long ago. I hadn't even met Tony yet." A small, sad chuckle escaped her throat. "That seems like a lifetime ago."