Phantom | S. Rogers

-𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐇𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐄𝐍-

june nineteenth, 2028
southampton, new york;
and bora bora, french polynesia

"Okay." Noah and Hailie sat on the couch, ready to listen to the responsibility speech that Pepper had prepared. "Happy and Rhodey are gonna periodically to check in. Sam's gonna stop in a couple times and he's only a phone call away if you need him. I wrote down all three of their phone numbers and the phone number of the resort in case you can't reach us." Pepper handed the note pad to Noah, who handed it to Hailie. "Friday can help with whatever you need. There's plenty of freezer meals you just have to heat up in the microwave. I have instructions for those printed on the lid. Don't let the kids go out to the pool without one of you out there with them. I've printed out their schedules in case you need them." Pepper handed another piece of paper to Noah, who handed it to Hailie. "Don't leave the house after nine, okay? No friends over after seven and make sure to let Happy, Rhodey, or Sam know if someone's coming over." Pepper stopped to think. "Did I miss anything?"

"Nope, Aunt Pep." Noah said as he stood up. "I think you covered the bases and the bases' bases."

"You're only gonna be gone for four days." Hailie reminded as she stood up. "We'll be fine, Aunt Pep."

Pepper let out a sigh, realizing how grown up they were. "I can't believe you're basically adults. This is crazy."

"They're actually not adults, honey." Tony said as he walked into the living room with their suitcases. "They still live at home with their parents and rich aunt or uncle; depends on which one you're talking to."

"Hey, we're grown up." Noah protested, Hailie nodding in agreement. "I filed taxes this year."

"Really?" Tony let out a small scoff at his niece and nephew. "Both of your mothers still make your doctor's appointments."

"Well, you're like a million years old, Uncle T, and you still don't know your social security number." Hailie reminded, making Tony's smile fade.

"I'm not a million years old." Tony said before he looked at Pepper. "Do I look like I'm a million years old?"

"Maybe a thousand." Pepper failed to comfort. "Come on. Everyone's waiting for us at the tarmac."

Tony let out a sigh before he followed his wife. "I'm not a thousand either."

It was day two in Bora Bora. The group's days were filled with white sand beaches and the best food on the island. While Pepper enjoyed time in the spa, Steve and Bucky went snorkeling, and Brooke and Tony went bourbon tasting, Darlene enjoyed time to herself by the pool. "I don't think I've had peace and quiet since the nineties." Darlene opened a book to read, her letting out a quiet sigh after she heard Brooke and Tony arguing in the distance.

"If you were my wife, I'd put poison in your coffee." Tony said as he stomped behind Brooke, following her to where Darlene was sitting.

Brooke rolled her eyes as she sat on the pool chair next to Darlene's. "If you were my husband, I'd drink it."

Darlene closed her book, looking from one Stark to the other. "What are you two arguing about this time?"

"He's mad because someone thanked me for saving the world and they didn't thank him." Brooke said, putting her sunglasses on before taking a sip of her margarita.

"It's just rude!" Tony exclaimed as he sat up. "We snapped together."

"It's not my fault you peaked when you were twenty."

"Brookie, do me a favor, babe." Brooke side eyed her brother, waiting for his insult. "Go die somewhere quietly."

"Please." Brooke said with a scoff. "You wouldn't know what to do without me."