Four Letter Defect-IronStrange

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Tony's POV

It was over, we finally did it. Thanos was gone, nothing more than a faint memory. It had been a long journey, one which now can come to an end.

I opened my eyes and looked around. Everything around me was in ruins, just like many other places in the world. I sighed and closed my eyes again. We won, but why doesn't it feel like it? Deep down I knew the reason, but the truth was that I didn't want to acknowledge it. Coming to terms with it felt like a slap in the face. We couldn't protect everyone, we couldn't save everyone. So many places, so many people, were destroyed. I opened my eyes and let out a shaky breath. I felt a tear slip down my cheek as my mind drifted to the one thing that kills me every time. The fact that I didn't save Peter.

It ate at me, it really did. I was a complete mess. His death haunted me, I couldn't close my eyes without seeing his face. I turned to alcohol to try and help, but it just made everything worse. Pepper ended up leaving me. One day I woke up all her stuff was gone, along with her. That night, I drank until I passed out. Alcohol and drugs became my normal. If it wasn't for Friday, I'd be dead.

I shook away my thoughts and opened my eyes. Suddenly there was a shout in the distance. I looked over and saw Steve embracing someone. He was smiling and laughing which was weird because I haven't seen him do any of those things ever since the "Bucky Incident" happened. I watched for a minute, hoping to see who this mysterious person was. They finally broke apart and I got a glimpse of the man and it wasn't that hard to identify him. I was so surprised that I couldn't move. Standing right there was no other than Bucky, his metal arm and all. I immediately put my brain to work.

Thanos was defeated, yes. But that still wouldn't explain how Bucky is back. He literally blew away into tiny pieces. Did Captain Marvel somehow bring them back? I felt a light tap on my shoulder. I sighed and turned around. I looked up and froze.

"Hi Mr.Stark!" Someone said. I couldn't believe my eyes. Time stopped while I observed what was before me. Peter Parker. Peter freaking Parker. His eyes shined brightly as the sun's light reflected off of them.

"Kid," I breathed out gently. He smiled gently and nodded. "You're alive?"

"I think so," Peter said with a laugh looking down at himself. His eyes than wandered back up to mine. "Are you ok Mr.Stark?" Peter gave me a worried glance and I suddenly felt something glide down my cheek. A tear. I smiled a little and looked down.

"I missed you Peter," I said, my voice cracking a bit. I looked up and I saw Peter's eyes watering. "It's alright Peter, you can let it all out." Peter didn't hesitate to wrap his arms around me and hug me tightly while he started sobbing. I hugged him back while patting his back.

"I w-was so scared M-Mr.Stark!" Peter cried. I rubbed circles onto his back making him calm down a little.

"It's all over now Peter," I said softly. "I will never let you go again." Tears fell down my face as I held him close. At that moment I knew that I loved Peter with all my heart. I loved him like my own son. I wanted to protect him and be his father figure.

We stayed in that position until Peter calmed down. He pulled away and smiled gently. I got up and looked towards where Steve was once before. A whole group was there now. I saw people who I haven't seen in forever because they disintegrated. I didn't want to go to all the attention though. I stayed put and looked the other way. I saw another familiar figure leaning against a tree. He was looking at the ground all alone.

"Who's that?" I asked pointing at the figure. Peter followed my finger to the person. He looked back at me and raised his eyebrows.

"You don't remember him?" Peter asked. I shook my head. He seemed a bit surprised. "Well, that's-" he was cut off.

"Doctor Stephen Strange," said a voice from behind me. I jumped a little and turned around. I watched as Strange stepped through his magical portal thing. All of the memories suddenly came flooding back.

"Oh, I remember you!" I said. I smirked. "You're that major asshole."  I chuckled a little. Strange gave me an unamused glance.

"I can see you're still your arrogant self," Strange said. I rolled my eyes and smirked.

"Tony!" I heard someone yell. I turned and saw Bruce running at me.

"Doctor Banner!" I greeted. He looked at Peter and Strange with wide eyes.

"Omg, they're back too?!" Bruce exclaimed. I just nodded and smiled a bit. "That's great! That means everyone is back!" I looked down at the ground and sighed.

"So what's everyone's plan?" Bruce asked. I looked up at him and thought for a minute.

"Well since almost everything in the world is destroyed, I'll have to go to my secret house I have," I said. "Peter's coming with me." I could feel Peter's eyes burning a hole into me after I said that.

"I am?" Peter asked. I could hear a bit of confusion with a mix of excitement in his voice. I turned and looked at him.

"Yes Peter, I will explain all the details later," I said. I looked back at Bruce and he was just staring at me. "What?"

"You, as in the Tony Stark, is taking a kid to live with you for awhile?!" Bruce asked. I rolled my eyes.

"That's what I said isn't it?" I said. "Anyway, we're focusing on me too much. What about you Stephen? What's your plan?" Everyone's eyes shifted to Stephen who wasn't even paying attention. He was looking through one of this portals and he looked. . . . Upset? I stepped towards him slowly and looked over his shoulder to see what he was looking at. My jaw dropped. A city that once stood tall and big, was now nothing more than a dust pile.

"Strange, What is this place?" I asked taking a step forward through the portal. I turned around in astonishment as I saw nothing but ash and smoke. I turned back to Strange to see him trembling. His eyes met mine.

"Where's Wong?" He asked gently. I sucked in a breath. I looked at the man before me and couldn't bring myself to say it. I stepped forward a bit and slowly shook my head. I saw something in him break and he immediately looked down.

Suddenly the ground started shaking slightly. I looked down and could feel myself moving from side to side. I looked over at Strange to see him floating about a foot above the ground while he had orange mist surrounding him.

"Strange?" I called out. He slowly looked up at me. He had tears coming out of his eyes, his mouth suddenly moved but I couldn't hear him. I watched his mouth intently as he mouthed the word, "run". His eyes suddenly turned orange and he went crashing into the ground causing the ground around him to fly into the air, creating a wave. I suddenly realized why he told me to run, but it was too late, there was no where I could go. I quickly pressed my reactor and I could feel my suit consuming me. At least the suit will give me some kind of protection. I heard someone yell my name as my suit finished up and suddenly darkness consumed me.