Tony came home beat and bruised and in need of a shower but he knew he would have to delay things.

"ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND!" Stephen's voice broke out as he stepped through with the rest of the avengers. Stephen had tears in his eyes, looking wrecked as he stared at Tony in disbelief. "You could have died! What the hell were you thinking?"

"I-" Stephen hugged him, ignoring the smell of sweat and instead tucked Tony under his chin, trying to reassure himself that Tony was alive.

"I could've lost you. God Tony. I can't. I can't lose you, love." Tony sighed and relaxed. He was safe and this is what he needed.

"I'm okay. I just need to get checked out. Wanna be my doctor?" He joked, but Stephen just held him closer.

"Like I was gonna let anyone else near you."

"As lovely as this is, we still need to talk." Fury spoke up and the rest looked at him.

"Fury, I'm going home. And try all you want, but I won't join your band of heroes. I'll be here if you need me." Stephen smiled and the two left, Stephen already checking Tony over.

They went to the hospital, Stephen able to get a room and start checking over Tony. Tony let him stitch up his eyebrow. "Thank you," Stephen spoke softly, placing a soft kiss on his nose.

"For what." Tony leaned against him, feeling exhausted and hungry but safe. Stephen smiled at him.

"You saved my life today." He chuckled. "Guess you did become my hero huh?" Tony blushed and smiled, hiding into Stephen's chest.

God, he hated how the taller man made him feel.

He loved it too.

____

Jarvis waited back at home, a worried expression written over his face as he waited for Tony and Stephen. Peter sat quietly on the floor, legos around him but he stayed still, hugging his knees. "Peter," Jarvis called getting the attention of the small boy. "It's okay. Dad is going to be fine and he will be coming home. We just need to wait."

Peter nodded and let his older brother sit beside him. 'Are you sure he's okay?" The AI smiled and brought him into a hug.

"He will be. We just have to take care of him." The door opened and Jarvis let go of Peter and stood to help. "Sir, how are you feeling?" Tony patted his shoulder and walked inside.

"Sore. But I'll li-oof" peter tackled Tony, crying into his waist. Tony was quick to pick up Peter.

"You're okay!" Peter clung on to him, hiding in his neck. Tony smiled and hugged him back.

"Yeah, kiddo I'm back. Now, what do you want for dinner?" Peter kept hugging him as he answered.

"Cheeseburger." Tony sighed and smiled.

"Cheeseburger it is." Tony went to shower while Peter waited for him to come out. Peter was scared to be alone so his dad told him to wait on the bed for him.

Stephen sat next to him. "Are you okay Peter?" The little boy shook his head, tears starting to work their way into his eyes. "It's okay. It's alright. I was scared too, you know?" The small child looked up at him.

"Really?" The older man nodded.

"I saw him go up and I thought I would never see him again. I bet you thought that too right?" Peter nodded and Stephen held him closer. "But then I realized that he would never leave because he still has you and Jarvis."

Peter got a confused look on his face. "Me?" Stephen chuckled.

"He will always come back to you Pete because he loves you and doesn't want to leave you alone." Peter smiled and nodded.

Stephen knew it was the truth, as long as Tony had his kids, he would always return.

Peter smiled when his dad came out in clothes and was all patched up. "Are you okay now?" Tony nodded.

"Yep. Come on, Jar should be here soon." Peter nodded and clutched to him once more. Stephen says down and lets Tony lay down with Peter resting on his chest.

He must have zoned out because so. Jarvis was standing next to him, offering him a cheeseburger. He took it and unwrapped it quickly while looking around. Stephen was still there, reading while eating, Peter was still resting on him, playing with a toy that came with his happy meal. Jarvis settled down on the floor by the couch, holograms coming up as soon as he settled.

Tony gently bopped his head. "Shut off for awhile J. I think you deserve it." Jarvis smiled, and Tony noticed how stressed and tired he looked. He guesses all of them look that way at this point. Still, he finished his food and settled his head on Stephen's lap again.

Jarvis was shut off now, Peter was asleep and Stephen started dozing off. Tony decided a nap would be good so that he was safe and sound.