Tattered Wings

Wouldn't change them for the world

It took a little work - scratch that, it took a lot of work to get Max back to her former self, but over the next few months, they eventually made it. There were still instances in which Max believed she wasn't wanted, or nights when the nightmares just wouldn't let up and she found herself on the roof, shaking out her wings for a midnight flight so she could forget everything but the wind whipping her hair into her face and the adrenaline rush that she was addicted to feeling, but no matter what, she always came back, someone was always waiting for, even if no one was awake at that time, Jarvis would always greet her on her return. Sometimes, she even took a weekend to visit the canyon, or the graves of her flock. She no longer apologised to them, but instead sat and told them stories of her new life, how they would have loved Steve and Tony and Peter, and the rest of the Avengers, and how she actually saved the world now, so hey, that prediction did come true after all. And if she ever stayed away for too long, or took longer to get home than expected, it was a guarantee that Tony or Steve would come after her to bring her home safely, and make her a hot chocolate, hand her a cookie, and make sure she was wrapped up in the fluffiest blankets.

Once, she even brought Peter. She took him to the canyon, wanting to show that she trusted him enough to share this part of her life with him. She'd sat him down, on the ledge of the cave that held memories, good memories of being reunited with her flock, and she wanted him to see that, see where she had held her flock. And then she sat next to him, and pointed out the different flight manoeuvres that the Hawks were making. They sat in silence, for a while, before Peter broke the silence.
"I'm proud of you, you know?" He started. Looking out across the canyon, imagining Max's flock laughing and flying with the hawks. "All the crap that you've been through, and you've still come out fighting at the other side. I'm not sure I would ever be able to do what you've done. But I'm proud of you. For being strong. For staying and not letting him win. Not letting any of them win."
Max was stunned for a moment, shocked into silence, but eventually that shock wore off, and she nudged him a little with a small smile. "Thank you, Peter.....That actually means a lot to me."
"I know.....I know that I messed up....But I do trust you, you know? And.....I'm so happy that you trust me enough to show me this. That you're showing me this part of your life....."
"You deserve to see it, don't you think? You've been there. Through my talks with uncle Bruce....my impromptu breakdowns, helping me get back into school, bringing me hot chocolate when I have a nightmare, even if I've kept you awake all night. And you didn't mess up. And I know you're trust me, and I trust you just as much. And....and You are my flock now. Not a replacement, they could never be replaced, but a new flock....my new family....my new start. And I can't thank you enough for that, Peter."
"It's what family does, Max." Peter shrugged, but had a happy smile. He was trusted. Max trusted him. "Besides, you'd do the same for me. You have done the same for me. You look out for me at school, even when I can take care of myself. As for being part of your new flock.....I'm just happy that we can make you happy again, and I know we're not replacements, they will always have a special place in your heart and life. But I'm happy that we can do that for you."
"I suppose it is. And of course I'd do the same for you. I.....yeah....yeah, me too."
"Remember Max. We'll always have your back. Whenever you need us."
"I'll remember. Thanks, Pete."
"Anytime Max."

Max was pretty sure that was a turning point. Her and Peter were okay, and they were going to continue to be okay. She never did find out what happened to Dylan though. She never asked either. All she knew was that he had been taken to S.H.I.E.L.D and they'd let Coulson get to him. And of course, there was an accidental power outage and if Natasha and Clint happened to get their hands on him, well, there was no evidence or proof of that, nor any witnesses, not that any would have come forward anyway. Tony and Steve meant it when they said she was family. And that didn't mean just them, it meant the Avengers, and most of S.H.I.E.L.D too. So there was no more trace of Dylan. No way he was ever coming back again this time.

After a few months, Steve and Tony noticed a difference too. Max was lighter, and happier, more open to them after the day she spent with Peter at the canyon, and they could often hear her singing, or talking to friends that she had finally let herself make, or working on a science project with Peter, or just something that normal teenagers did. And when they were stood at hers and Peter's graduation, they totally were not crying. Tony Stark does not cry. Or at least that's what he told Steve when he hid behind a wad of tissues and blew his nose. And when Max and Peter ran over to them to let them know she had been accepted into Stanford and Peter had been accepted to Harvard, he may have definitely been crying. Because he was so proud of both his kids. He was proud that they had over come these past few years and made their way in the world without letting it hold them back.

Their kids made it. And he and Steve wouldn't change them for the world.