The day was finally here and Tony Stark still couldn't believe it.

The first reports of people coming back, right where they'd turned into ash came through and the Avengers could finally breathe again.

Steve took a call from Nick Fury, the tears flowing freely as he spoke, only just able to croak out the words.

Pepper kept trying to reassure Tony that they really had done it, they were getting everyone back. He gave her a tight smile.

Steve's first order was to get back to Wakanda, if the news was right, half of their team would reappear there.

"I won't waste any time." Steve had promised Tony.

"Wakanda is the best equipped and Nebula will go to Titan, she'll bring everyone home. She'll bring your boy home."

The determination on Steve's face made Tony start to hope. Maybe he was right. Maybe he could get Peter back.

The hope that flared up in his stomach proved to be too much excitement, he barely had time to move to the nearest bin before he threw up.

Bruce knelt beside him, rubbing a gentle hand down his back, and grabbing him a water bottle from the fridge.

"The jet's leaving in fifteen, Tony. Think you'll be up for it?" Steve asked the man slumped on the floor, Pepper and Bruce either side. He gave a weak thumbs up, and a grimace.

Pepper wiped the overgrown and untamed curls from Tony's eyes.

"If any of this is getting too much, you tell me straight away, okay?"

He nodded into her shoulder.

Bruce and Pepper hauled him to his feet and Tony rolled his head towards Steve.

Steve stood tall, chin tilted down and eyebrows ever so slightly raised, waiting for verbal confirmation.

Tony's eyes flicked down, looking to see the boy who had been getting him through these past few months, his kid.

Peter stood next to Steve, the lopsided grin Tony loved and missed so much on his face.

"You've got this, now come get me." And with that he was gone, disappeared into nothing.

Tony stood taller, locking eyes with Steve.

"Let's go get our family back."

The ride was bumpy and it seemed to take forever. The jet was buzzing, full of nerves and anticipation, full of excitement.

They were shown to the labs when they first arrived, wasting no time. Tony was silent, his stomach twisting and underneath his clothing, he was covered in sweat. It could be a trick, a trap.

The only thing keeping him grounded was Pepper's hand clasped in his.

And then he saw Bucky. James Buchanan Barnes. The man who killed his parents. The reason he was an orphan.

And he walked forwards and practically collapsed into the mans arms.

Bucky was the first victim of the snap, the first to fade away. And he was real.

Tony felt the man breathe, his posture stiff although he didn't blame him. I'm sure he'd rather be hugging Steve than having this awkward encounter with the man who had tried to kill him a few years ago.

Tony, however, couldn't quite seem to let go. He needed to know he was real, he was solid and wouldn't fade away. He'd really come back and Tony could feel the unshed tears fill his eyes. He was so close to having Peter by his side. So close.

Bucky looked at a loss of what to do over Tony's shoulder, matching the team's looks of utter bewilderment as the man clung to him.

Bucky's face softened when Tony managed to stumble back a little, both sharing an intense stare when the solider realised how broken Tony looked.

It wasn't a moment later as Tony took another step back that Steve almost took Bucky out with the ferocity of his hug.

"You look like crap." Bucky smiled at his best friends tearful face.

"Yeah, well." Steve huffed out a breath.

"It was the end of the world."

The next few hours were filled with ease, tearful laughter and, from the king, a promised feast when everyone was back safe.

Tony just sat to the side, his leg bobbing up and down in angst. The waiting was almost torture, but that's all he could do, just wait. Pepper and Rhodey stayed by his side at all times, and although he wasn't fond of all the babying, he appreciated the company and their distractions.

All eyes were on Tony when the jet came into land. He'd scrambled down to the pad when they'd said the jet was coming into view, Rhodey at his side instantly as he'd stumbled into the tables by his bedside.

He stood on the pad now, legs wobbling and hands shaking. He'd already had two panic attacks since being in Wakanda and he couldn't lose it now, not when he was so close.

The wheels touched down and Tony flinched at the noise the barrier made as the door fell open. He could see Quill, Nebula and the others, then his breath hitched in his throat.

Rhodey loosened his grip on his best friend as he took an unsteady step forward. He could see the tear tracks down Peter's face evidently, just as new ones started to fall.

Tony's skin went cold, the hairs on his neck standing up and he swallowed to clear his rapidly drying up throat.

"Pete." He whispered, knowing that the kid would hear him however loud he spoke.

The group watched with aching hearts as the boy Tony had talked about for so long started to run towards him.

Tony took a few more unstable steps until he fell hard on his knees. Peter reached him in seconds, skidding on his own knees into his mentor before being scooped up.

Tony Stark sobbed. He clung his arms around Peter's back, almost clawing at the boy to keep him in his embrace.

Peter was hugging his arms around Tony so tight it might even leave some bruises.

Tony pulled back and Peter let out a loud whimper, Tony sniffing loudly to stem his crying, even if only for a moment.

He held Peter's head in his hands, wiping away Peter's tears and his floppy hair from his eyes.

"I love you."

Tony blurted, taking in hurried gulps of air.

"I never t-told you. I- I love you so, so much Peter."

He brushed his thumb over Peter's cheek and he smiled.

He laughed then and Peter frowned, trying to stifle his own sobbing.

"I haven't- haven't-"

Another sob wracked through his body and he pulled the boy back to his chest.

"God I love you kid."

"I love you too." Peter mumbled against his shoulder, nuzzling his head into the mans neck.

Peter stayed snuggled into Tony's side, breathing in the man's scent. He was finally home. He felt Tony pull him in tighter every now and then, making sure this was really happening.

Struggling to tear their eyes away from the pair, the Avengers slowly filtered out. Only a few stayed, waiting to herd both boys back to T'challa's quarters when they were ready.

Steve approached first when the boys finally stumbled to their feet.

Steve smiled at Peter, sticking out his hand.

"It's an honour to finally meet you, Peter."

Peter swallowed and twitched out a small smile, face still wet with tears.

"Likewise." Peter took a couple of steps towards Steve to shake his hand, the loss of contact making Tony shiver. His throat closed up suddenly, hands beginning to shake. He let out a small whine deep in the back of his throat, hands reaching out and pulling the kid back in. Steve took a few steps backwards.

"Hey, it's- it's alright Mr Stark. I- I'm not going anywhere."

"I know, I know." Tony muttered more to himself than anyone.

Rhodey placed a hand on Tony's back for a moment.

"Why don't we head up to Shuri's labs, Tony." He spoke softly to the man that was burrowing his face into Peter's curls.

"We can have Peter checked out, make certain everything is okay."

He took a step back when Tony didn't reply straight away, treating him like a wounded animal and trying not to spook him.

"Okay." They heard him mumble.

Steve and Rhodey walked close behind Tony and Peter, Steve watching the pair closely. Tony's arm was slung around the kid's middle, keeping him close as if he would lose him again if they lost touch. Pepper and one of T'Challa's guards lead in front, making their way through to Shuri's space.

Peter was checked over quickly, Tony almost kicking up a fuss when they told him to wait outside for a moment.

Peter rounded the corner only a few minutes later, bounding into the welcoming arms of his mentor, promising he was fine. Shuri wanted to keep everyone who had been affected by the snap under observation for one night, just to be cautious.

And later that night, when Pepper awoke to find she was alone, she padded down to the medical room, a lump in her throat until she let out a breath of air and smiled.

Tony was in Peter's medical bed, the boy curled up around his side with Tony's hand still rested in his hair, both sound asleep.

She leaned against the doorway for a moment before heading back to bed.

A warm breeze pushed its way through her open window and Pepper sighed. It was finally over. The Avengers have won.

AN: Alrighty guys, hope you enjoyed the last chapter! Love all the reviews and follows, they make writing all the better! Also sorry if there are any spelling errors, I do try to check through but currently writing on my phone rather than laptop! Happy reading!:))