my guardian angel | peter parker x gn!reader

f i f t e e n

happy ending

"Everybody wants a happy ending, right? But it doesn't always roll that way. Maybe this time. I'm hoping if you play this back, it's in celebration. I hope families are reunited, I hope we get it back, and something like a normal version of the planet has been restored. If there ever was such a thing. God, what a world. Universe, now. If you told me ten years ago that we weren't alone, let alone, you know, to this extent, I mean, I wouldn't have been surprised. But come on, you know? The epic forces of darkness and light that have come into play. And, for better or worse, that's the reality Morgan's gonna have to find a way to grow up in."

There were several of you in the living room, while Tony's helmet played a prerecorded message from a few nights ago. "So I thought I'd probably better record a little greeting. In the case of an untimely death on my part. I mean, not that, death at any time isn't untimely." You fiddled with your hands, occasionally raising them to your face to wipe away a stray tear. "This time travel thing that we're gonna try and pull off tomorrow, it's- it's got me scratching my head about the survivability of it all. That's the thing." There he was, sat in front of you as if nothing had changed except the mood. As if the tears running down your cold cheeks ran without meaning. "Then again that's the hero gig; part of the journey is the end. It's all part of the job."

And after all this time, you found yourself disagreeing. What's so good about a job that kills those you love? "What am I even trippin' for? Everything's gonna work out exactly the way it's supposed to." He rose from his chair, stepping toward the projector but pausing and smiling directly where Morgan was sitting before he turned it off. "I love you 3000."

And with that, Tony Stark was gone forever.

Pepper gasped softly before allowing her head to fall into her hand to hide her tears. You continued to stare at the spot Tony had once stood in, your throat closing up as the air became thick with grief. There were so many of you in that room, yet it still felt so empty without him.

Pepper stood up abruptly, taking a few deep breaths before walking over to the dining table and picking up the funeral wreath. You stood up after her, grabbing Morgan's hand as you walked toward the door. Pepper opened the front door, revealing the row of people already lined up outside. She took Morgan's hand from you and began walking toward the lake, smiling weakly at a few people on the way while the rest of you trailed behind. You stood next to Nebula who didn't hesitate to wrap an arm around your shoulders, which you reciprocated by wrapping an arm around her waist. Delicately, Pepper placed the wreath into the water, which Tony's first arc reactor was balanced on with the words 'PROOF TONY STARK HAS A HEART' carved into the metal. She remained in a kneeling position with Morgan in a gentle hug as everyone watched the wreath slowly float away.

She rose to her feet, keeping her hand locked around Morgan's, who was still staring out into the water, sad and confused. "Tony," Pepper began, barely audible to the people standing further to the back. "When I met you, you were nothing more than an arrogant asshole. But then I spent more time around you. And I couldn't help but fall in love." She sniffed, rubbing the tears running down her face and mixing them with the snot on her nose. "You would always do reckless things, and I would always worry about if I'd lose you. And now that I've realized the universe needs you, you're gone." A few quiet sobs erupted from her throat, which she tried her best to muffle with her hand. "I love you, Tony Stark. I hope that finally, you can rest."

She turned around, beginning to walk back in the direction she came in while a few people approached her to offer their condolences. You and Nebula dropped your arms as you turned to face the rest of the group. Nobody spoke. It was a purely awkward silence. Extremely unnatural for the Guardians. "God, this sucks," Rocket spoke up first, rocking back and forth on his feet as if trying to shake off the discomfort.