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Artwork found on Pinterest in 2019 Endgame Artwork Pinterest
Tony Stark's final words, "Hey Pep," were barely a whisper, a mumbled farewell that might have been lost to anyone else. But Pepper Stark heard every syllable. She had always had an uncanny ability to remain serene and composed, a beacon of calm amidst the storm. Today, the storm was her husband, teetering on the brink of death after having saved the universe.
I’m so sorry.
He yearned to say more, to tease Rhodey for barely holding it together, to express to the kid how proud he was, to tell Pepper, his rock, how much he loved her. He wanted to acknowledge Steve and Thor, who were watching from a distance. He wished he could see his beautiful daughter Morgan one last time.
Morgan, his precious child, who would grow up without witnessing her father's pride at her graduation, her wedding, or perhaps the birth of her own children. He would also miss out on seeing Peter and Harley reach milestones in their lives.
His loyal friend and bodyguard, Happy, was another person he'd never get to spend time with again. He had always planned to play matchmaker and pair him up with May, but now, he could only trust that Pepper would carry out this wish someday.
Maybe I could say that as my dying wish.
There would be no more opportunities to experience parenthood with Pepper, to feel her touch, to express his love for her. He wouldn't be able to remind her that she was a goddess, to thank her for her unwavering support and love.
So so sorry...
But maybe, in his heart, he knew his last words were perfect. The last thing his dying eyes beheld was perfect too. Virginia Stark's beautiful face, her strong body clad in the Rescue Armour, a symbol of her role in his life. She had always saved him, rescuing him from his demons and himself. He had dreamt of fighting alongside her, and in his last moments, that dream had become a reality.
However, the thought of leaving her was unbearable, as was the idea of leaving Morgan. He finally had it all, the family and the peace he had always yearned for.
Morgan would grow up without her father present, a reality Tony had experienced in his own childhood and had hoped his daughter would never have to endure.
He couldn't leave them.
“We’re gonna be okay…”
Pepper's voice sounded like a distant echo, but it gave him a glimmer of hope.
Perhaps they would indeed be okay. They had each other, and they had Rhodey, Happy, May, Peter, and Harley.
“You can rest now.”
Fatigue washed over him like a tidal wave.
A faint smirk played on his lips as he looked up at Pepper, his eyes reflecting the love he felt for her.
She was his entire world, the only thing he could focus on.
When I drift off I will dream about you… It’s always you…
And with those thoughts, he succumbed to the beckoning arms of sleep.
For the first time in his life, Tony felt a sense of peace washing over him. The constant pressure that usually sat heavy in his chest was gone, his thoughts were clear, and his muscles felt relaxed. He was engulfed in a cocoon of warmth and light.
He found himself standing by the lake at home, its serenity washing over him. He could almost feel the cool breeze on his skin, hear the soft quacking of the ducks that had made their home in the shallows. Morgan had been thrilled by their arrival, even going to the extent of naming them, though Tony was fairly certain she couldn't tell one from the other.
Turning away from the lake, he took in the view of the cabin and the surrounding land, a surge of pride welling up within him. This was the home he'd built with Pepper, their sanctuary away from the world. And there she was, on the stairs of the veranda, sitting next to May Parker - a woman they had mourned along with Peter. May was more than a friend to them, she was family.
Feeling an inexplicable pull, Tony moved closer, drinking in the sight of the two most important women in his life. An unspoken understanding told him that this would be his last chance to see them for a while.
“Morgan doesn’t fully understand. She keeps thinking he’s going to come back, just like all the people who disappeared did, and I don’t know how to explain to her that it’s different… that… he’s never coming back… and I don’t even know if I'm allowed to mourn? I reassured him it was okay, we would be okay, and that he could rest. He saved everyone, and if not for him-” Both women’s eyes glistened with unshed tears, and May put her arm around Pepper, who returned the embrace with surprising strength. It was a poignant sight, two strong women leaning on each other in a moment of shared grief.
Pepper's voice wavered as she continued, “...If it wasn’t for him, what he did… we wouldn’t have you or Peter back. But he should’ve been here for that. For our family to be whole again.”
All feelings of peace deserted Tony, replaced by the icy grip of panic. This wasn't right. He needed to go back, needed to return to his family. His panic intensified as May's comforting words to Pepper sounded distant and muffled, like she was speaking underwater. That's when he realized he wasn't alone.
“You didn’t waste it.”
Tony's heart rate steadied as he turned to look at the man standing next to him. A man he'd never forgotten, not even after 15 years. His lips curved into a grin, “Yinsen.”
Yinsen returned the grin and nodded, “Stark.”
Yinsen's dying words from years ago echoed in Tony's mind, “Don’t waste it, don’t waste your life, Stark.”
“You didn’t waste it,” Yinsen repeated, his smile warm and comforting. “Well, you did, kind of. But your sacrifice healed lives, Stark. Good job.”
Tony felt a sudden urge to embrace Yinsen. Everything he had achieved, everything he had become was thanks to this man. Instead, he reached out and gave Yinsen’s shoulder a grateful squeeze, “Thank you.”
Yinsen chuckled, “What for?”
“For saving my life and getting me out of that cave. For inspiring me to be more, do more.”
Yinsen nodded as he considered Tony's words, a wry smile playing on his lips, “Hm, well I’d like to thank you too then, for giving my last moments purpose.”
“I often wondered about what would’ve happened if I hadn’t made it out of that cave, if the world would be different. If it even cared…”
“I think it would’ve cared,” Yinsen said, nodding towards the cabin that seemed so close yet so far away.
Morgan was bounding down the stairs, her laughter echoing through the quiet surroundings. May and Pepper hurriedly separated to make way for her. Tony's breath hitched as he saw what Morgan was running from.
His heart ached and swelled at the same time as Peter and Harley burst out of the cabin.
“You can’t escape that easily, Missy!” Harley hollered.
“Yeah, Morgs, where do you think you’re going?”
“Save me, Mum! Save me!” Morgan's shrieks of laughter filled the air as she darted around trees.
“Yeah, c’mon Rescue ,” Harley taunted.
Pepper rolled her eyes at their antics, while May laughed. Pepper's response was barely audible, but Tony's heart swelled as he managed to catch her referring to the boys as Morgan's brothers.
His vision began to blur, and his cheeks ached from the wide smile that had taken over his face. Rhodey and Happy emerged from the house, leisurely making their way towards the rest of his family. Their voices were lost in the loud thumping of Tony's heart.
“I’m glad it all worked out though,” he murmured, watching the boys suddenly turn their attention towards the men and start sprinting towards Happy, who let out a yelp and quickly scampered up the veranda.
Yinsen patted him on the shoulder, “C’mon, your journey isn’t over yet.”
Tony lingered for a moment longer, drinking in the sight of his family. He didn't want to leave them, not now, not when he could see them all together. Yinsen gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze, “You’ll see them again one day, Stark. It’s time to go.”
Tony turned to him, a frown marring his features, “Go where?”
“Heaven.”
Tony let out a disbelieving scoff, “Right.”
Yinsen just smiled serenely.
Tony turned back towards his family one last time, but they had disappeared, as had the cabin and the woods. In their place was a vast expanse of lush green meadows, watched over by majestic mountains adorned with waterfalls.
“It’s annoyingly magical,” Tony muttered.
Yinsen laughed before stepping away from Tony, “I’m sure there are plenty of people here that you’d like to see.”
Tony looked at him, slightly confused, “Are you going somewhere?”
“Yes, my family wants to go for a walk, but I thought I’d see you first. I’ll find you again, don’t worry. Take a look around, I’m sure you’ll like what you find.”
He gestured around them, “You have all the time in the world.”
Once Yinsen left to join his family, Tony found his environment had changed once again. He blinked a few times before realizing he wasn’t imagining things. He was standing in the hall outside the Avengers compound gym. He could hear the familiar sounds of someone exerting themselves inside.
When he pushed open the door, the woman inside didn't stop her assault on the punching bag. Never had he ever been able to approach her without her knowledge.
With a grin never leaving his face, he called out,
“Agent Romanoff… you miss me?”