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Loki leaned back in his chair, peering out of the window of their home. watching as the rain continued to pour down. He let out a sigh, and turned to look at his daughter who was sitting on the settee also watching the rain, a pouting frown on her face.
 
"Is the rain ever going to stop, Father? I'm tired of being stuck inside all day!" Sigyn whined.
 
"I know, my little snowflake," Loki replied.
 
Oh how he knew! The rain had gone on for days on end now, bringing more gloom in both the lack of sun and in his daughter's disposition.
 
"But I'm not sure when it will cease," he added. "The weather is quite unpredictable, even for me."
 
Sigyn groaned and slumped further into the settee, "I wish there was something to do! I am sick to death of watching the rain!"
 
Loki looked at the rain again, thinking about the situation, then he turned back to her with a smile, "Perhaps we should play a game?"
 
"I don't want to play a game!"
 
"Oh, you would prefer to watch the rain instead? Very well, then, we shall but I know you would have loved the game instead!" Loki said, watching her from the corner of his eye, "It was a very good idea if I do say so myself. Oh well!"
 
Sigyn straightened on the settee, "What game, Father?"
 
"You said you don't want to play, so that means you're not interested in hearing about it."
 
"Yes, I am! Please, Father, tell me!" Sigyn begged.
 
Loki chuckled, "Oh, I was thinking we could have a foraging hunt. I will hide things all around the cottage and you will have to find them."
 
Sigyn wasn't sure how much fun that would be, but she really was bored with watching the rain pour down so she decided to go along with the idea, "That sounds like it could be fun, Father! Let's play!"
 
"Very well. I'll go hide somethings. You stay here and when the game is ready, I'll come fetch you."
 
The girl nodded, and settled back to wait.
 
Loki took about twenty minutes to hide some things in each room of the cottage that was not the main room where his daughter awaited him. He didn't use any magic but still hid them well where she would need to look carefully. Finally satisfied once the final object was concealed he went to get her.
 
Sigyn bolted from the settee the moment her father gave her the signal, and ran to the first room. She looked high and low with her father watching her in amusement as she searched every nook and cranny. 
 
After several minutes, Sigyn held up a previous hidden item, "I found one, Father!"
 
"Good job, snowflake! See if you can find the others I hid!"
 
Sigyn continued her search, moving from room to room, leaving no room without finding all the hidden items. 
 
Sigyn was still looking when she walked past a window, and saw something she'd been looking to see for days peering back at her. She pointed to the window, "Look, Father! It's stopped raining and the sun has come out!"
 
Loki grinned and captured her in his arms, "Yes, my little snowflake, it seems our time of hunting brought the sun out, both inside and outside. Sometimes all it takes is a little bit of time spent together and fun to brighten up a gloomy day."
 
"May I go outside now, Father?" Sigyn asked.
 
He nodded, "Yes, you may as long as you're clear to stay away from any bodies of water. With all the wain we had in the past few days, I am sure they're swollen."
 
"I promise, Father!" she said, already grabbing her cloak and hiding outside with a squeal of excitement.
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Peggy finds Steve sitting on an intact bench, staring at well nothing.

"Are you well, Steve?" Peggy asked, sitting down beside him.

He sighed, not looking at her, "I'm okay. I'm just feeling... overwhelmed."

Peggy put a hand on his arm, "You want to talk about it?"

Steve finally looked at her, "Sometimes I feel like I'm not doing enough, Peggy. There is so much that's happening in the world, and there are times I feel like I can't keep up."

She smiled, gently, "It's okay, Steve. You may be Captain America, but you're still human, which means there's only so much you can do. Even so, you're still doing your part to make the world a better place."

After a moment, Steve nodded, "You're right. Thanks, Peggy, I need to hear that."

Peggy moves her hand to grasp his, "Anytime, Steve. I'm here for you, always."

"I know, and I'm grateful for that."

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The sun is shining brightly one morning as the birds sing their happy songs, serenading father and daughter as they sat outside their home, breaking their fast. The aroma of freshly baked bread lingered in the air, and Sigyn's eyes were bright with delight.

"Father, this bread is delectable!" Sigyn exclaimed before taking another bite.

Loki raised his eyebrows, "And where on Midgard did you ever hear that word, my dear?"

"It wasn't on Midgard I heard it, Father! I heard Uncle Volstagg say it last time we went to see Grandmother and Grandfather!"

Ah yes, the last time they'd visited the Palace, there had been a feast.

"And do you know what delectable means, snowflake?" Loki asked.

Sigyn thought for a moment, "It means it's good right, Father?"

He nodded, "Yes, but more specifically, it means it tastes delicious. And I thank you for saying so, as I made our bread myself."

"Did you use magic to make it, Father?"

Loki laughed, and gave his daughter's vibrant red curls a tousle, "No magic, my snowflake. I just used a bit of love along with a dash of mischief." He winked as he said that last part.

"Well, it is very good, Father! My bread doesn't even need anything upon it!"

Loki smiled at her compliment, and then his eyes wandered a bit until they found their well. The well was quite old having been used by the cottage's former family. The well had served them adequately since he'd first come to live here with his late wife, but of late, Loki had noticed the well was providing less and less water. He knew they would have enough water for two, perhaps three months but they would need to dig a new well soon.

"Sigyn, my love, it seems we have a problem," Loki said, his eyes fixed on the dwindling water supply. "Our well is running dry, and we must dig a new one.
Don't worry, little one. We will hire some giants to do the work for us. But first, we must find the perfect spot for the well."

"Sigyn, my little snowflake, it seems that we may have a problem," he said, his eyes locked on their well, "Our well is beginning to run dry, and we will need to dig a new one. But fret not, for as soon as a new fresh water source has been located, we shall ask the giants to dig the well for us."

"Giants, Father?" Sigyn echoed, her eyes wide.

"Yes, my dear, giants."

"I've never seen giants before, Father. Will I get to meet them? the little girl asked.

"Of course, snowflake, you will meet them."

Sigyn cheered and clapped her hands.

Loki felt warmth throughout his being from heart at the sound. Her laughter was the most bright and beautiful he had ever heard in the universe, and he knew he was truly blessed to have it. Still smiling, he rose from the table, "Go fetch your cloak, my little snowflake, and we shall begin the search for the new well."

Sigyn nodded, and hurried back inside of the cottage, and reappeared without delaying her cloak fastened around her shoulders. She grabbed his hand and started tugging his towards the woods, "Come on, Father. Let's go! Let's go!"

With a chuckle, he followed his daughter into the forest.

The search lasted three days, and then Sigyn located a perfect location for their new well. It was a small clearing in a lush, green meadow that sloped gently towards a babbling brook. The little girl danced in celebration when her father declared this was the spot.

The next step was to approach the giants in the right way, something Loki knew what to do.

He'd had many dealings with the giants in the past and he understood their nature as well as their traditions. The key to approaching the giants without offending them right off so they would not help you, was to show them both respect and humility.

"Listen closely, my snowflake," Loki said, gathering his daughter close to him, "when we meet with the giants, it is very important that we show them not only kindness but respect. They are very powerful beings, but they are also gentle, and they are pleased to help those when they are treated properly."

Sigyn nodded, "But I always try to be respectful and kind to others, Father. You and Grandmother have taught me that."

He kissed the top of her head, "Yes, you do, my snowflake, and I am proud of you. Here, hold onto my hand and keep close."

They walked deeper into the forest, the sound of trees rustling as well as a distant roar of water growing louder. It wasn't long before they came to a large clearing where the massive forms of the giants could be see touching high in the sky.

With much caution, Loki approached the giants, being ever careful to make sure Sigyn was close to his side. He held his hand out in a gesture of peace, and called to them, making his voice as loud as he could.

"Noble and mighty giants, I, Loki of Asgard, and my daughter Sigyn, have come before you to petition for your assistance. Our well is running dry, and we seek your great strength as well as your great expertise in digging a new one."

The giants gave their attention to the trickster and his daughter, so tiny to them in comparison. The eyes of the giants shone with curiosity and interest. Then one of the giants stepped forward, shaking the ground with his steps. When he spoke, his voice was like a clap of thunder.

"We have heard your petition, Loki of Asgard and Sigyn of both Asgard and Midgard. We will consider what you ask of us, but first, you must prove your worthiness."

Loki nodded, knowing the giants would often test those who seek their help. With confidence, he accepted their test.

"What task do you require of us to prove that we are worthy of your help?"

The giant pointed to towering tree in the distance, and said, "Bring us a leaf from the highest branch upon the tree. If you succeed, it is then and **only** then, we shall grant our aid."

With a soft bow, Loki looked at his daughter, and he saw a determined look in her eyes. With a nod, they started towards the colossal tree.

Even while they were still walking towards it, Loki used his magic to conjure a staircase that encircled the tree's trunk that reached the highest branches. Sigyn did not hesitate to start climbing towards their prize with her father following close behind her.

They ascended the staircase around tree for minutes until they finally reached its top. Loki lifted his daughter up, and Sigyn reached out to pluck one of the shimmering, vibrant leaves from its branch. After setting her back down on the staircase, father and daughter descended together.

Once they had reached the ground, Loki held aloft the leaf, and he called out to the giants, "We have completed the task that you requested of us. Here is the leaf plucked from the highest branch."

The giants all nodded their approval, their faces showing signs of their respect for the completion of their assigned task. The one who spoke to them earlier stepped forward and said, "You have proven your worthiness, Loki of Asgard, and Sigyn of Asgard and Midgard. In turn, you shall have our help in digging your new well. Show us the spot, and we shall dig for you."

"You have proven your worthiness, Loki of Asgard. We shall assist you in digging your new well. Choose the spot, and we shall make it so."

***
It was evening two days later, and Sigyn sat snuggled into her father's side, listening as the giants labored to fulfill their promise to them. Soon, they woulf have a replacement for their well that was indeed drying up.

Loki played with her silken locks as he softly told her, "You are so much like your mother, my little snowflake. She could be no prouder of you than am I."

Once more the girl wished she had known her mother, but even so, she is grateful for how much her father loves her.

The giants' continued work digging had been a constant noise in the background. so when the moment they'd been waiting for happened, they almost missed it. But they heard the giants give a shot, and when they did so, Sigyn bolted. She ran towards the meadow, and stopped as she beheld the sight of the new well.

"They did it, Father! We have a new well! See?" she said as her father joined her.

Loko grinned, and nodded, "I see, my snowflake. I see. Come, let us take our first drink of the new cool water."
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When Clint's eyes fluttered open, his surroundings were a distortion of blurred shapes and colors. He felt as though someone were banging on his head with Thor's hammer, with every beat of his heart sending a jolt of pain through his temples. He struggled to make sense in his disoriented state, to find his way through the fog that had wrapped itself around his thoughts.

Little by little, tiny fragments of memories pierced through the fog. He recalled the cold, rigid touch of the metal pole against his back, the din of the SHIELD STRIKE team readying their weapons, and the deafening shots that still echoed in his ears.

"What the..." His voice came out as a raspy murmur, barely heard above the muted ache that pulsed through his body when he made an attempt to sit up. He clenched his teeth, then he yielded to the protesting of his enervated form, his muscles refusing to comply.

With a renewal of determination, he forced his eyes to open once more, striving to understand his surroundings. The room, saturated in sterile white, enlightened his blurred vision. The unforgiving glare from the lights overhead penetrated through his fogginess, magnifying the pounding in his head. As he took a deep breath, the sharp of disinfectants seized his nostrils, flooding his senses and leaving an almost metallic taste in his mouth.

At that moment, a door swung open on the other end of the room, revealing Nick Fury, the Director of SHIELD, clad in his customary black attire. Clint's heart, which shouldn't have been beating at all, skipped a beat in his chest. As he watched Fury approach, conflicting emotions swelled within him. This was the man who had betrayed him, the one who had carried out the order for Clint's execution. In the moments leading up to his supposed death by firing squad, Clint had told Fury he had understood why he had to be the one to give the order. But that'd had been a lie. The truth was, he couldn't comprehend how Fury, the Director, could have been the one who ordered his own agents to kill one of their brothers.

Fury's face was as stern as it ever was when he approached Clint, but also he got closer, Clint could also see a tiny bit of kindness. He wasted no time with a preamble but told Clint simply in a low, steady voice, "You're alive now because I arranged for your death to be faked at your execution. There was no way I could let the world take you away from your family forever."

Clint's emotions were a tangled web while his mind raced. All he'd wanted to be with his family again through those five long years they were dead. He'd literally had two weeks with them following Tony's funeral, and then he'd been arrested. He doesn't know how the world learned about what he'd done so quickly because even when he'd been consumed by his rage, he concealed his identity. He doesn't know how the world found out... unless one of the Avengers who had known of his Ronin identity had given the media their anonymous tip.

"How long have I been here, sir? How long since my exe.."

"It's been eighteen hours since you stood in front of the firing squad."

"So the world thinks I'm dead?" Clint asked.

"Yes, they do. We made sure we staged your execution so convincingly that every person who tuned into the broadcast now believes they watched a SHIELD firing squad shoot you through the heart," Fury replied.

"Okay, I'm dead to the world. What now? Am I going to have to spend the rest of my life in some hideout somewhere, where I'll never see my family again? Is that what I've been saved for?" Clint countered, his anger and despair rising with every word.

Fury frowned, as it was his turn to get angry, "You are not listening to me, Barton!"

"I told you he wouldn't be able to listen to you," a new voice contributed.

Clint whipped his head towards the door, "Laura? What the..."
 
His heart, his perfectly whole not shot through with bullets, heart skipped a beat when he saw his wife standing in the doorway. She looked so weary, her eyes betraying all the anguish and pain she had to endure during this entire ordeal. Her presence was both a comfort and a bewildering mystery.
 
"Laura, wha... how?" Clint's voice trailed off, as he was unable to form a coherent question.
 
Laura walked over to his bedside, then instead of answering him with words, she seated herself beside him, and she kissed him like she had in his cell in the SHIELD facility. Fury looked away to allow them a moment of privacy in their reunion, but he finally cleared his throat when Clint's heart rate shot up. Laura pulled away from him but didn't stand up. Instead, she intertwined her fingers with his, and kept her eyes on him as Fury spoke.
 
"You want to know what is going on, Clint," the older, gruffer man began, "and how it is you're here, not dead, instead of being buried six feet in the ground actually dead?"
 
Clint nodded, "Yes, sir, I do," Everything had happened so fast that he can't figure out a way the Director had been able to save his life instead of letting the execution actually succeed.
 
"To begin, I had gotten wind that your identity as Ronin had been exposed a very short time before your arrest. There wasn't enough time to warn you, so I had to settle with ensuring your survival, regardless of whatever happened next or whatever punishment the world deemed to be the right one for your actions.
 
"Needless to say, convincing the world of your death seemed like the best course of action since they were so thirsty for your blood, and wouldn't settle for anything less. So we orchestrated what the world thought to be your execution to be just that, an execution in which you were shot through the heart by a SHIELD firing squad."
 
Clint didn't miss he said we, not just him, but he knows it would be pointless to ask who else was involved. Fury would never tell him, and anyway, he could guess that Maria Hill had been one of those involved. In the end it didn't matter, and maybe it was better that he didn't know who else was involved. Instead, he squeezed his wife's hand so she'd look at him.
 
"You knew?" he asked.
 
Laura nodded.
 
"Did you know when you and the kids came to... when you came to see me before the..." Clint couldn't finish the sentence.
 
Laura nodded once again, "Yes, I knew Nick had arranged to save your life. I knew that you wouldn't actually die when they fired."
 
He couldn't help but marvel at his wife's acting skills during their goodbye. When he had looked into her eyes during their goodbye, he'd a depth of grief and pain that he'd never seen there before. Laura had looked and acted the part of a woman whose husband was about to be executed and she was helpless to stop it. It'd been over a decade since she'd been an active agent in SHIELD herself, but it seemed it was just like riding a bicycle for her. He marveled until an awful realization dawned on him.
 
"Lila and Cooper, they... they thought I was going to die."
 
Tears glistened in Laura's eyes as she nodded, her voice choked with emotion, "Yes, they believed you were going to die, Clint. They're kids and not trained agents. They had to believe you were going to die in order for anyone who might be watching for signs of deception to believe that you were actually executed. Looking my children in the eyes and tell them you were going to die, that they were saying goodbye to you, was the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life."
 
Clint squeezed his eyes shut when he heard this, the weight of the revelation weighing down on him like a ton of bricks. Learning that his oldest two children had suffered such anguish because of the level of deception that had to be used to save his life, hurt him in a way nothing else had before. He hated him too in that moment because Lila and Cooper didn't deserve to know that kind of pain, and now they had, all because of him.
 
When he felt tears well up in the corner of his closed eyes, Clint squeezed them even more tightly shut. When he spoke, his voice trembled, the words barely finding their way past his lips, "I... I can't... what they've been feeling since... I'm their father, and they were never supposed to know this kind of pain! I was supposed to keep them for it! I will hate myself for putting them through this for the rest of my life!"
 
Laura reached out and grabbed his chin, turning his face towards hers, "Clint, look at me!"
 
He opened his eyes, and looked into hers.
 
"I want you to listen to me, Clint. We can't change what happened or what we had to do to keep you alive. Lila and Cooper, they'll understand all of this, in time. You love them, and they now that. They know how much you love them, and in the end all that will matter is they will have their father with them to still love them."
 
Fury, who had been silent in the corner, took a step forward to remind them that he was still in the room. "Look, I understand your regrets over the pain you've caused them, but dwelling on the past isn't going to change anything. You've got to find a way to focus on the future because in order for this to work, you've got to have your head completely in the game, Barton."
 
"In order for what to work, sir?"
 
"In order for you to have a life with your family."
 
Clint laughed, without mirth, and when Fury glared at him he said, "A life with my family/ How? I'm supposed to be dead, sir. Dead! The moment I step out of this facility into public, whichever one I'm in, facial recognition will have me made in a split second, and they'll just kill me again. And my kids are not going to live out their lives in SHIELD facilities or safe houses, isolated away from the rest of the world."
 
"And they're not going to have to do that," Fury in a firm voice, "I will say it again, we have a plan that is going to allow you to be with your family, and you'll all be safe. Unfortunately the plan isn't one that is going to happen over night or even over several nights. It won't be quick because of what we must do to ensure you won't be ID'd the second you step out into public with your family."
 
"What does that mean exactly?" Clint asked, trying to understand the gravity of the situation.
 
"What it means is through both surgery and technology we're going to create an entirely new identity for you, that no one on the world is aware of. We are going to give you a completely new face that even the facial recognition scans won't be able to ID you as being Clint Barton. You will have a new name to go with the new face, and a new personal history that you will have memorized frontwards and backwards. Clint Barton is dead in the eyes of the world, and that's exactly how he'll stay. When you are finally ready to step back into the world in general, you'll be someone else completely, and the world will never know you were not, in fact, executed like they wanted you to be."
 
Laura squeezed his hand in support because she knew what Fury was about to say next would be the most difficult part for her husband to hear.
 
"Now here is the bad part—"
 
"You mean besides me being erased from existence, and looking into the mirror to see a stranger staring back?" Clint quipped.
 
"Clint!" Laura murmured, "This is the only way forward for you to stay alive and be with us at the same time!"
 
He nodded, and looked at the other man, "Sorry, I know this is going to be a lot of trouble, and already has been. I don't mean to sound ungrateful you did and are doing all of this to keep me alive."
 
Fury gave a curt nod, then continued, "Fifteen months. Fifteen months is the bare minimum is the estimate as to how long it is going to take to completely change your identity, and get you reintroduced into the world."
 
"Fifteen months? And I'll have to be away from them the entire time," Clint surmised.
 
"Correct. I'm sorry that it will take so long after the five years you spent without them but this is a painstaking process, and one we can't afford to make any mistakes on as your life quite literally depends on it. We get one shot to get this right, because if the world learns you didn't die at your execution, then I believe they would simply have you taken out this time. With extreme prejudice."
 
Extreme prejudice.
 
Clint knows those two words are just another way of saying that they would come after him without any regard for any innocents that might be around him at the time. His heart sank when in that moment he realized fully the gravity of the situation, and that in order to keep everyone he loves safe, things would have to done this way. They couldn't risk the lives of his wife and children just so he could be with them sooner.
 
"I understand," Clint finally said aloud, resignation in his voice, "If this is what it takes to keep my family safe, and allow me to be with them, then I will do whatever I have to for it to make it happen." The fifteen months would be a long time, but he could do it because unlike before, he has the hope of knowing they're alive, and well, and that he will be with them again.
 
"Good," Fury said, nodding in acknowledgement to Clint's commitment to the plan, "We'll start the preparations immediately. I've put together a team of experts who will handle the entire process, from the surgical procedures to the creation of your new identity. When they're done, Clint Barton will truly be dead, and a new man will be in his place."
 
"How do we know that none of them will tell the world who I really am?" Clint asked, "There's a lot riding on this, sir. and just for me." He looked at his wife, and thought of their children.
 
"Because I know each of the team members personally, and I know they can be trusted to keep your secret for as long as you live. They will take this with them to their own graves. We need to get started on this ASAP, so I'm afraid you both need to say your farewells now because it is going to be a long time before you're able to see each other again."
 
"Could we have a—"
 
Fury walked towards the door, "I'll leave you two alone."
 
Laura touched his face, her voice steadied as she told him, "We'll be waiting for you, Clint. No matter what name they give you, or the face you are going to have, you are always going to be the man we love."
 
Clint opened his arms, "Come here, honey. I need to hold you,"
 
Laura scooted up closer to him, and let him wrap his arms around her as she wrapped her arms around him. They didn't talk, just held onto each other, and finally she laid her head on his chest to listen to the sound of his heart beating.
 
When the ten minutes were up, Fury returned, but stopped at the door without speaking. There was much they still needed to talk about such as the logistics and the security protocols for the next fifteen months. But looking at them now, he knew what they needed to talk about could wait a little longer, and so he let them have it.
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My Dearest Pepper,

It has been said that love is like the (redacted) within (redacted) (redacted) radiating warmth, strength, and boundless energy that powers everything around it. Did you know, honey, that you are the core that makes my heart beat, and you're the brightest light that illuminates the darkest of nights?

Do you remember when we danced on the rooftop? I do, and what I remember most is how the stars reflected in your eyes as if they were created for us and us alone. Or do you remember the countless late night conversations of ours that were filled with laughter and our dreams as we planned the future we knew we'd share?

Your unwavering belief, and more importantly your undying love for me, when I doubted myself, had given me the courage to face any challenge. You are my rock, my anchor, and my guiding star through the storms of life. In the moments I stumble, you're there to life me up, and remind me of the hero I can be.

Pepper, your grace, intelligence, and compassion inspire me each day. Your smile lights up my entire universe, and your touch ignites an inferno within me that can't be contained. I am in awe of your strength, and the way you effortlessly balance love, your family, and all responsibilities that come with being a remarkable woman.

As I pen this letter, I'm reminded of the countless time we've faced danger together. Side by side, we've been triumphant over all adversity, and our love has only grown all the more stronger as a result. It is a testament to our bond — a bond that nothing in this universe will ever be able to break.

This letter comes to you from an admirer who watches you, loves you, and cherishes you every step of the way. I may not always say it or even show it. but you are the love of my life, and my heart is yours for eternity.

Yours forever,
You know who I am
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Morgan was lounging on one end of the couch flipping through some pictures of her parents together while Pepper was on the other end reading a book. She eventually came across a photo of her Dad in his Iron Man armor standing beside her Mom who was in a suit of armor of her own, a suit Morgan knew was called Rescue. Morgan looked at the photo for a long time, then finally said to her mother, "Mom, tell me about the time you and Daddy flew to the moon together please."

Pepper looked up from her book at her daughter and smiled, "Well, it wasn't exactly a real mission, Mo. It was just for fun."

Morgan grinned, and she asked eagerly, "What sort of fun? Did you have to fight aliens? Did you bring back moon rocks?"

Pepper chuckled as she marked her place in her book. and began to remember, "No, Morgan, we didn't fight aliens. We went just to explore the moon and we had fun while we did. Your Dad just had an idea one day to create a modified rocket that could get us there. He spent weeks getting it ready and perfect."

Morgan gasped, "Oh wow! That is too cool, Mom! What did you do there on the moon?"

Laughing as she thought about their adventure, Pepper replied, "Well, we jumped and bounced around for one thing. Even with our suits of armor on we could since the moon's gravity is so much less than it is on Earth. We pretended to be space explorers and your Daddy... even had a Frisbee with him. We spent I don't know how long throwing it back and forth. Tony... your Daddy said it was the best game he'd ever played."

Morgan giggled, "Daddy always loved to play games and make things fun, didn't he?"

Pepper nodded, "Yes, he really did. I'm so glad that we had that time together. It was an adventure I'll always treasure and never forget."

The little girl sighed, feeling sad all of a sudden, "I wish I could have gone with you, Mommy. But maybe someday I can go to the moon too!"

Pepper scooted closer, and hugged her daughter, "Maybe you will someday, sweetheart. The possibilities are endless. Your Daddy always believed that anything is possible if you put your mind to it and don't give up."

"I miss Daddy, but it was nice to hear about the fun you had together. Thanks for telling me about it, Mom."

Pepper kissed her daughter's brow, "Anytime, Mo. Your Daddy and I loved having adventures together, and I love sharing them with you."
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"Tony Stark towered, rose above all the others..." said the history teacher.

As she spoke all eyes kept looking in Morgan's direction. Why oh why hadn't she changed her last name to Potts before she entered high school?

With a sigh, Morgan rolled her eyes. Of course, she was used to the unwanted attention her last name brought but sometimes it was a bit too much to handle. Finally when she knew she couldn't take hearing any more than day, she raised her hand.

"Yes, Morgan?"

"Uh Ms. White, can we please move the lesson along and stop talking about Tony Stark exclusively?" Morgan asked, ignoring the open mouths shocked expressions her classmates had.

Ms. White nodded, "Of course, Morgan. But you have to admit, your dad was pretty cool."

Morgan couldn't help the pride she felt, and she smiled, "Yeah, he was." I just wish I could actually remember him.

The rest of the history class went by, Morgan zoned out and thought about home. Although she could remember very little about him, she missed her dad. She wondered what he'd say if he knew how everyone was still obsessed with him even after twelve years had passed since he died.

Finally, when the bell rang, Morgan gathered up her things and left the classroom. As she walked down the hallway to her locker, she heard someone call out, "Hey, Morgan, wait up!"

Morgan turned around, and smiled when she saw her best friend Jamie hurrying towards her.

Jamie returned her smile as he caught up with her, "So you want to be my partner for the science fair next month or what? I mean with your brains and my building skills, we could make something that would be really cool."

Morgan nodded, her smile becoming a grin, "Yeah, I'm in. Let's make something epic."

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Once the Guardians of the Galaxy found themselves on a dangerous mission that would wind up take them into the heart of a black hole. Peter Quill who also prefer to be known as Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax, Rocket, Groot, Mantis, and Nebula gathered together aboard the Milano, their ship ready to go into the unknown.

As they approached the massive black hole, it's great gravitational forces already threatening to tear them apart. The ship rattled and groaned under the strain of the forces, but the Guardians were strapped in their seats, and held on tight, determined to go forward.

Nebula's cybernetic enhancements pulsed with energy as she observed the black hole intently. "This is a very dangerous undertaking, even for us. But if we are success in retrieving the prize, it might be worth the risk we are taking."

The colors of the cosmic wonder before them were reflected in the eye of Mantis, "I sense a great disturbance coming from the heart of the black hole. It is important that we uncover its source, and put an end to it."

Quill took the helm, both excitement and caution present in his voice, "Alright, Guardians, this is it! Hold on tight and believe in each other! We're taking a dive into the unknown!"

As the Milano descended into the black hole, the Guardians braced themselves for whatever was coming their way. The ship's hull started groaning and creaking, while the gravity began to mess with their perceptions of time and space

Groot's branches started to intertwine with Rocket's furry paws as they hurried to keep the ship stabilized. "Hold it together, buddy!" Rocket shouted above the din, voice strained.

"I am Groot!"

"Yeah, you and me both!"

"I shall not falter! Nothing can stand in our way!" Drax proclaimed, his muscles bulging.

They reached the even horizon, and they found themselves surrounded by a kaleidoscope of swirling colors and gravitational anomalies. It was something that would overwhelm most people, but the Guardians were a special group

The phenomenon surrounding them heightened Mantis's empathic abilities, and she closed her eyes as she reached out with her mind. "The disturbance is pulling towards a hidden pocket in the universe. We much stay focused and be cautious as we proceed.

Star-Lord navigated the Milano into gravitational forces precisely, taking them deeper into the black hole's realm. The Guardians' eyes grew wide as they beheld a breath stealing cosmic domain, filled with cosmic wonders and cosmic phenomena.

Nebula scanned their surroundings with her cybernetic eye, "There it is, the source of the disturbance. We must retrieve it before it can cause more irreparable damage."

Mantis nodded in agreement.

Quill landed the Milano, and after a few scans to be sure they would be able to breathe, they disembarked.

The Guardians took cautious steps forward as their strange, surreal environment had them all on edge. Drax was leading the way, and for once Quill was happy to let him, because maybe his muscles paired with scary appearance would intimidate who or whatever they encountered.

As they made progress, they saw a faint glowing ahead, and then as they got closer they saw that it was a crystal orb.

"This is the source," Nebula confirmed.

Gamora was for some reason she could not explain, drawn to it. She approached it, hand outstretched to touch it when suddenly a voice boomed, "Who dares to trespass in my realm?"

The Guardians were startled, but it was Nebula who came forward, "We are the Guardians of the Galaxy. We've come to retrieve the source of the disturbance that's causing problems in the universe."

They never did see the source of the voice, and after whomever it was had given her words consideration said, "Okay whatever makes you happy. Just be sure to be careful with the orb as it's a very powerful object!"

So they took the orb, left the black hole, and set a course for Xandar in order to turn the orb over to Nova Corps.

"Well done, Guardians!" Quill said as they left the black hole.

"Yeah, not bad for the galaxy's biggest idiots, huh?" Rocket said with a laugh.

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"Like they say dance like nobody's watching!" Eva told her husband one day.

"What a peculiar saying!" Loki inquired.

"Put simply it means to let yourself go and be free. Don't worry about what others might think of you while you're enjoying the moment. Experience life fully in other words!" she answered.

Eva grinned at her husband's newly found appreciation for human wisdom, and she continued to sway to the music in her mind.

Loki watched her enjoying herself thoughtfully, "Yes, I can see the value in this. I shall have to try it sometime." Then he extended his hand towards his wife, "I think perhaps there is no time better than the present. Shall we dance, my love?"

With a giggle, Eva took his hand, "Yes, let's dance like nobody's watching!" And with that, they began to twirl and sway together, lost in their own little world.
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"Father," Sigyn began one day when she was ten years old, "I want to be a healer when I grow up."

Loki smiled at his daughter, "What a noble profession, my snowflake. But tell me, why do you wish to be a healer?"

She considered her answer for a moment, then said, "I want to be a healer because I want to healer people. I want to help people when they are sick or they're hurt, and help them to feel better."

Loki nodded, pride swelling up within him at the his daughter's kindness for others and her desire to help them, "Being a healer is not just about knowing which herbs to use or how to set a broken bone. Being a healer takes a great deal of compassion as well as having empathy. You also will need to be a god listener and do your best to understand their pain, even in the moments you can't heal their illness or injuries."

The girl nodded, making her red curls bob up and down, "I understand, Father, and I will work hard to learn everything that I can so I can help others."

"That is good, my snowflake. Always remember the greatest healers are those tho know how to use a gentle touch along with a kind word to lift up someone's spirit," Loki said, placing a hand on his daughter's shoulder

Sigyn smiled at her father, so grateful for love and his support. She knew with his help, she would become the healer that she dreams of being someday.

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Tony was sitting in his workshop screening at the screen, trying to get rolling on translating his latest ideas to an upgrade for his armor. Rhodey came into the workshop and Tony didn't notice. Finally, Tony made a sound of frustration, and stood up from his desk, nearly jumping out of his skin when he saw his friend standing there. "What the... when did you come in here?"

"Oh, about half an hour ago," Rhodey replied with a shrug.

"And you've been just standing there and watching me the entire time?"

"Yep."

"Enjoying the show?" Tony asked, annoyance in his voice.

"I've seen better," Rhodey quipped back.

Tony rolled his eyes, and went back to what he'd been doing.

It didn't take Rhodey long to see that he was distracted, and getting nowhere fast so he finally blurted, "Come on, Tony! Trust the plan!"

"Plan? What plan?" Tony asked.

Now it was Rhodey's turn to roll his eyes, and shake his head, "The plan to have some fun! Come on! We're going out! Hit some of the clubs and try to relax!"

"Oh really?"

"Yes, really. Now, come on and shut that down so we can get going!"

When Tony acted like he wanted to continue on with what he was trying to do, Rhodey rolled his eyes again, then requested, "A little help, JARVIS?"

"Of course, Colonel," the AI replied.

Tony's screen went blank.

"Hey! JARVIS, what—"

"I saved everything you were working on, Sir, before shutting it down," JARVIS reassured him.

Tony muttered, "Well, thanks for that... Traitor."

"Come on, Tones! We're losing time! Fun time! Let's go!" Rhodey said, tugging his arm.

Tony sighed, and looked at him, "Okay! Okay! I'm coming!"

"Good finally! Trust the plan, Tones! Trust the plan that we're going to have fun tonight!"
 
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"Am I under a curse or something?" Wanda Maximoff shouted.

Vision gave her a look of concern, "What do you mean, Wanda?"

She paced the room, not looking at him as she answered, "Only all of my attempts to have a normal life end up in complete disaster! First, I lose my parents, then Pietro dies, and now this." Wanda gestured all around her to indicate the chaos and the destruction she always seemed to leave in her wake.

Vision approached her, and took her hand into his own, "Wanda, I think it's important to remember that we are both powerful beings. Our actions have consequences, which means sometimes those consequences can be dire."

Wanda yanked her hand back from him, shook her head, and started pacing again, "But why does it always have to happen to me? Why can't I just have a happy, normal life like everyone else in the world?"

Vision approached her and he put a hand on her shoulder, trying to comfort her, "I don't have the answer to that question, Wanda. Life can be hard and unfair at times. But I know that together, we can face all of the challenges that come our way.

Wanda looked up at him, and smiled weakly, "Thank you, Viz. I needed to hear that. More than you know."

Vision wrapped his arms around her, and Wanda let herself be comforted by being with him. Together they would face whatever the future brought, curses or not.
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The final day of his career as an Olympian is a gorgeous one for Franky. Johannesburg is the host city for the 2048 Summer Games, and once he's finished his final competition of the Olympiad, Franky is looking forward to seeing some of the city with his family. Now while he waited for the event to start, Franky is reflecting back on his career, which began all the way back in 2036 in Melbourne, Australia.

"Are you ready, son?" Clint asked right before the competition was set to start.

"I'm as ready as I'll ever be, Coach," Franky replied with a wink, "I'm just not sure if I am going to be able to win a medal this time."

To say Franky's career as a Olympian had been golden would be an understatement to say the least as he'd taken home a combined 5 gold medals in the previous three Games he'd competed in. Heck, last time in Los Angeles he'd even won a bronze medal too for good measure.

"You've got this, Franky," Clint encouraged him, "Just remember everything I've tried to teach you and everything else you've learned on your own without your old man."

Franky smiled, and hugged his father, "Thanks, Dad. I love you."

"Love you too, Hawkeye. Go get them!" Clint said, patting his back as he pulled away.

"Will everyone please take their positions? The event is about to begin!" an official called out.

"Well, that's my cue," Franky said, and walked to his assigned area.

Clint nodded, and went to stand where all the other coaches would watch from the sidelines.

Three minutes later, Franky was drawing back his bow string, and aiming for the target.

Twang!

The arrow soared through the air, hitting the center of the target with precision.

"Great shot, Franky!" Clint murmured, "Good way to start this thing!"

Franky continued to loose his arrows with precision, hitting the target almost always dead center. The crowd cheered as he completed each round with a high score. Then as he entered the final round for the gold, Franky faltered in some of his final shots. After his opponent from Japan loosed his final arrow in a spectacular shot, Franky let out a low whistle, and immediately offered the man his congratulations.

"That was an amazing closeout to your career, son!" Clint told him, "I'm so proud of you!"

"Thanks, Dad. The silver isn't quite what I hoped to close out my career with, but Kohaku-san was just better than me today. In fact, he was pretty amazing! I think I need to go congratulate him again! Be back in a moment!"

Clint watched his son walk back over to his opponent, beaming with pride at his son's sportmanship as once more he shook the other man's hand.

My fancast of Jeremy Allen White as Francis "Franky" Barton
Jeremy Allen White as Francis "Franky" Barton
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It was almost Christmas day on Earth, and eight year old Sigyn is spending the special day with her Gam Gam and Pop Pop while Loki

"Did you know that one time when your mother was a little girl, she called your Grandfather Odin Santa Claus?" Pepper asked as she clearly placed tinsel on the tree before looking at her granddaughter.

Sigyn's eyes went wide, and she gasped, "Really?"

Pepper nodded, "Really."

"She really said that to Grandfather?"

"She did. And she did it not once but twice!"

Sigyn giggled, "I wish I could have seen the look Grandfather had on his face!"

Pepper smiled remembering how Odin had responded, and then she told her, "And it got even better as your mother, not much younger than you, actually if your grandfather, the King of Asgard, if he were a pirate."

"Oh my stars! How did Grandfather react to that?" Sigyn asked once she stopped laughing.

"He wasn't offended. Actually he laughed, just like your Uncle Thor did. Thor laughed first because none of us could understand what Eva... your mother was asking," Pepper recalled.

"I wish I could've been there!" Sigyn sighed.

"I wish you could've been there too, but that wasn't possible since your mother was only a little girl herself."

Sigyn placed an ornament on the tree, and then looked at her grandmother, "I wish I had known my Mother."

Pepper hugged her, "Oh sweetie, I wish you did too. You would have loved her, and I know she loved you from the moment she knew she would have you. She had wanted a child so much, and she was so excited when she found out ~~she was pregnant~~ about you. You were her dream come true!"

Sigyn's eyes welled up with tears, and the girl was about to cry when the front door opened, and they heard a voice calling out.

"Hey, Mom! Dad! You guys here?"

Without waiting for her grandmother to react, Sigyn put down the ornament in her hand, and ran to the door, "Uncle Ethan!"

Ethan just managed to empty then open his arms as his niece flew at him. "Sigyn! It's so good to see you again!" He pulled back from hugging her, not quite letting go as he looked at his sister's little girl. "Wow, you look more and more like your mother and my sister every time I see you, kiddo!"

Sigyn grinned, "Merry Christmas, Uncle Ethan!"

"Merry Christmas to you too!"

At that moment, Maggie came into the house, her arms loaded with Christmas presents.

"Aunt Maggie!" Sigyn said excited.

"Let me put these down so I can get a hug!" Maggie replied, placing the gifts down, "Come here, sweetie, and give me a hug!"

Sigyn went over to her aunt, and hugged her, "Merry Christmas, Aunt Maggie!"

"And a Merry Christmas to you too!"

Pepper appeared, and hugged her son then her daughter-in-law.

"So, where's Dad?" Ethan asked.

"Where else?" Pepper said.

"Workshop."

"Mmm hmm."

"Pop Pop's working on a surprise!" Sigyn declared.

"A surprise huh?" Ethan mused.

Pepper nodded, "Yes, and before you ask, I don't have a clue. I guess we'll find out when your Dad wants us to know."

"I suppose we will," Ethan agreed.

"Siggy and I were just putting the finishing touches on the tree. Would you like to help so we can get all of the gifts underneath?" Pepper asked.

"Sure!" Maggie said with a smile.

Ethan nodded, "Sounds fun."

Sigyn led the way back to the tree, singing O Christmas Tree as she went.

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Today, Clint Barton would meet his end under a relentless barrage of bullets fired by SHIELD's specially commissioned firing squad.

After Clint had been convicted for his merciless acts of murder in the aftermath of Thanos's snap, the world demanded justice. A trial was held, and when the overwhelming evidence of his crimes had been presented to the world, a firestorm of outrage had quickly built up which had ultimately sealed his fate. As an Avenger, Clint's position carried a weight of responsibility, demanding the highest price for the blood he had spilled. SHIELD, being the organization he once served, reluctantly agreed to carry out the public execution within their fortified facility. Every detail of his death would be broadcast live, ensuring the eyes of the entire world would bear witness.

As he lived out his final hours of life, Clint tried not to pace his cell or show any fear about what was going to happen to him today. But the closer he got to the hour of his death the more restless he became. He had not been allowed to see his family after his arrest and he was afraid he would die without the chance ro tell them how much he loved them.

The loudness of the security buzzer on his cell block sounding off made Clint look up through the bars and the other end of the hallway. Through several gates he could see the people he loved the most in all of the universe making their way towards him.

Clint stood up and as he waited for them to reach him, he looked at each of them.

Lila was openly crying, Cooper was trying to be stoic he was faltering, while Nate was too young it seemed to understand the gravity of the situation. The little boy was smiling as though he were walking into McDonald's for a Happy Meal and some time on the playground. Although Laura was plainly relying on her past training as an agent to hide her emotions, Clint had known his wife far too long, and he did not miss her grief with every step she took.

Finally they were at the last gate, and the lead agent of the guards escorting them swipe his keycard to raise the final gate, and Clint's family entered the large cell he'd called home as he awaited execution. The guards stepped into the cell with weapons pointed at him just to be sure he did not try to bolt, and they allowed his family to pass. Clint made sure not to move a muscle as he did not want to give them reason to call off the only visit he would have with his family.

Laura and the kids didn't move forward towards him until the agents withdrew and the gate had been lowered once more. Then Laura flew at him, momentarily knocking him back as she kissed him like there was no tomorrow. Well there wasn't any tomorrow for him as he would be executed in four hours time. He kissed her back until they were both breathless, and then he clung to her.

"I'm sorry," he whispered into her ear, "I'm sorry!"

Laura said nothing in response, instead she just held onto him as she tried to imprint everything she could also him. The impending loss of him hung over heavily in the air like a funeral shroud, but the brief moment in each others arms, there was solace.

Their solitary embrace last a few more moments, then Clint pulled back, and gestured for their children to joint them. Lila, his first child and only daughter reached him first and she wrapped her arms around him, crying softly into his ear, "Oh, Daddy!"

Clint hugged her back, and did his best comfort her. "Shhh, sweetheart. It's okay, it's okay." He kissed her cheek and combed his fingers through her hair for a few minutes.

Cooper was the next to hug his Dad, and Clint heard his breath hitch as the boy buried his face in Clint's neck. All he could do was hold his holding son tightly as he was at a loss for words to say to Cooper. The moment ended when his youngest squeezed in between his brother and Dad. Cooper reluctantly released his Dad and stepped away to allow his little brother his moment.

Clint knelt and wrapped his arms around the little boy, "What's up, squirt?"

Nate pulled and looked at him, "Mommy said we had to come and see you coz you're going away, Daddy, and we needed to say bye to you. Daddy, where are you going? Can I come with you too?"

Nate's innocent questions hurt him so bad, so the only thing Clint could do was pulled the boy against him again, "I'm going on a little trip, Natty. It's somewhere that you and Mommy and Lila and Coop can't come to yet. But one day you all will and when you do, I have everything ready for you guys and we'll be a family again and never be apart again. How's that sound, bud? Sound good?"

"Yeah, yeah!" Nate said excitedly.

After kissing the side of his head, Clint stood up and looked at Lila, "Come here, sweetheart."

In the meantime, Laura herded Cooper and Nate to the other side of the room where she talked to them quietly, mostly an effort to occupy her youngest.

Clint led his daughter over to the bed, and sat down.

Lila stared at him, her bottom lip trembling, "Why, Dad?" Why did you do what you did to all those people? Why did you hurt them like that?"


Cooper's expression contorted with a mix of anger and sadness. "But Dad, we needed you. We needed our hero."

Tears welled up in Clint's eyes as he caressed Cooper's cheek. "I know, Coop, and I let you down. I'm so sorry, son. I wish I could turn back time and undo everything I've done, but I can't. All I can do now is accept the consequences and hope that one day you can find it in your heart to forgive me."

Clint looked into his daughter's eyes, eyes that were so full of pain and confusion. He took a deep breath before he answered her, "Lila honey, I did what I did, because at the time, I was so very angry that you and your Mom and your brothers got erased like you didn't matter, like you were not worthy of living that I just... got even angrier when I realized that the people who actually didn't deserve to like were still here. I went crazy with my grief and anger. Neither of those excuse what I did though, and it wasn't my place to judge those people unworthy. But I did, and I... and I erased them as a result."

He looked away from her, "I made choices, bad choices that hurt people, and I have to face the consequences of what I did. I wish I could change it, make so those people were still here, but I can't. All I can do now is accept the consequences, even if those consequences mean I pay the highest price for what I did."

Lila was trying to process what her father had said to her, but more tears welled up into her eyes, "But Daddy, you've always been a hero. I still don't understand how you could have done those things? I mean I looked up to you!"

Clint took her hands in his own, and his voice trembled when he told her, "I know, Lila, and that is one reason why this hurts so much. I let everyone down, but especially our family. Even heroes sometimes make horrible mistakes. All you can do is try to learn from them always, and understand the consequences that come with them, and never forget the value of life or compassion."

The teen girl sniffled, wiping away her tears with the back of her hand, "I miss the old you, Daddy. The one who saved people, and fought against the bad people. You did what was right."

"Me too. I miss that version of me too, Li," Clint murmured, his voice remorse-laden, "But I lost my way, and I hurt those people. Now I have to face the consequences of what I've done, and maybe when I do, it'll help people get some of their faith in heroes back."

"I don't want to lose you, Daddy!"

Clint tightened his grip on her hands a little bit, "And I don't want to leave you either, but I have to face what I've done. I know it is a hard thing to ask, but promise me that you'll remember the good times we all had together. That you will remember the lessons I taught you, and you'll carry them in your heart. That you'll do your best to be strong and make the world a better place. I believe in you, honey."

"I promise, Dad." Lila whispered solemnly as tears pour down her face, "I'll make you so proud of me. I love you."

He pulled his daughter into a tight embrace, and he held her for a long moment, "I love you, too, baby. Never ever forget that."

When Clint released her, he looked over where Laura was still talking to Cooper and Nate. His heart ached so badly at the thought he would get to see them grow up that he could almost believe he was having a heart attack. They would have to grow up with their father and it was all because of what he had done. He knew one day they'd realize the truth of why he wasn't here anymore, and he hoped that on that day, they would hate him for leaving them like this. He hoped that they'd forgive him.

Time was beginning to run short, and he caught Laura's eye. He looked at Cooper then back at her, and she nodded. She said something to him, and he got up to come over to where his father and sister were. Clint kissed Lila again, and told her, "I'll always be with you, Lila. I love you, baby."

"I love you too, Daddy," she said, hugging him one last time before she went over to her mother and brother.

Cooper arrived, and immediately he went to his father's arms.

Clint held onto Cooper tightly, savoring the weight of his son against him. He could feel Cooper's tremors against him as the teen tried to contain his sobs. Once more, Clint was at a loss for the words to tell Cooper how much he loved him, how far the depths of his love went. He could on;y hold his son with the hopes that somehow Cooper felt in it what he could not say.

Cooper finally pulled away, his red eyes looking into his father's, "How, Dad? How could this be happening? How could you have done all of what... what they said you did? I mean you always protected people before. You didn't hurt them! What happened?" Cooper's voice went on the rise as he asked his questions and he was almost yelling by the end.

Clint looked over in his wife's direction and saw Laura looking over at him. He shook his head, and she went back to comforting Lila. He turned back to his oldest son.

"Because, Coop, even heroes are not infallible. They make mistakes too, and this one was the worst one I could have ever made. I let my grief and anger consume me, and then I let it lead to do things I can't take back. Horrible things."

Cooper looked puzzled by his words, and angry, "I don't get it, Dad! You let what happened to me and Mom and Lila and Nate make you so made that you went out and and killed all those other people? Dad, you doing something like that goes against everything you and Mom have ever tried to teach us!"

The anger in his eyes aimed at him is almost most than he can bear, so much so that Clint must take a deep breath to steady himself before he tries to respond. Regret, so much regret tainted his voice as he told his son, "You're right, Coop. You are so right. Like I said I let my anger and my grief consume me, I let it burn in my heart like a fire until it was raging, and it clouded my judgment. I didn't want to see what I was doing was wrong, so wrong, and I lost sight of the values I hold dear. I lost sight of all the things I ever tried to teach you and your sister and brother."

Blinking back tears, Clint went on, "I failed, Cooper, both a father and as a hero. I let my anger have control and I let it lead me to make choices that are unforgivable. I hurt people, people who maybe deserved judgment for what they did but it wasn't my place to be their jury, judge, or executioner. I can't ever change what I did but I hope that the three of you will learn from my mistakes, and never let your anger lead you to do something like I did."

Cooper's anger start to soften a little, and was replaced by sadness as he thought about what his Dad's words mean, "How do we move on from this, Dad? From what you did and what they're going to do to you because of it?"

Clint put his hands on his son's shoulders, his gaze as steady and sincere as he could make it, "I'm not going to lie, Coop. Moving on won't be easy for any of you. It's going to take time for all of you to heal from this. But try to remember that we all make mistakes, and how you learn from them and how you strive to become better for what you've learned is what defines you. You're strong, Coop, and have the resilience to overcome what I did and from... from my death. You can be the person you want to be. Don't let my actions or my death define your future, son."

The teen looked down, "I don't think I can ever look at you in the same way again, Dad. And I... and I don't know if I can forgive you."

His broke at his son's words, but he understood why Cooper would feel in such a way because of how his actions had affected their family forever. He swallowed a lump, nodded, then said, "I understand, Cooper, because forgiveness is not that can be demanded or even expected. It's can only be earned by being sorry for what you've done, and actions someone takes moving forward. I can't do anything to earn your forgiveness. All I can do is face the consequences of what I did, and hope one day you might find it in your heart to forgive me."

Cooper looked at him again, his eyes searching his father's face. After a moment of silence, he said, "I don't hate you, Dad. I'm just so... hurt and disappointed."

The tears Clint had been fighting streamed down his face. He pulled Cooper into another tight embrace, "I'm disappointed in myself too, son. I wish I could go back and change everything, but I can't."

After spending a few more minutes talking to Cooper, he spent some with Nate, talking with the little boy about the things of his world that interested him. He knew he should try to impart some words of wisdom to his youngest but in the end he didn't want to shatter his youngest's innocence as that would come soon enough. So they talked, then Clint hugged and kissed him, and then sent him to sit with his siblings.

Then Laura came over to him, and once more they kissed like there was no tomorrow, before they pulled back, and the sitting together wrapped in each other's arms.

They talked in soft tones, allowing themselves to briefly to escape their present by escaping into the past, remembering their life together. They talked about their children, the dreams they'd accomplished, and the challenges they'd faced as a family.

Clint gently brushed a stray hair away from Laura's face, looking at her with tenderness. He couldn't help but marvel and be grateful for her strength and resilience. He admired how she had always been there for him and for their children. They'd faced so many battles together, on and off the field, and their love have always grown stronger for it.

"Five minutes!" one of the guards yelled out, shattering their quiet time together.

Clint looked into her eyes, nodded, and after one last kiss, they got up. Together, holding onto one another's hands, they walked back over to their children as it was now at last time for their last goodbyes.

Clint had no final words for his children beyond telling them how much he loved them. Instead, he just held onto them as tight as he could, and let himself believe time had frozen. Then the sound of the guards coming to take his family back out shattered the peace. His heart shattered as he made himself let go before tany orders were issued to him.

He stood against the wall, and watched as they left clinging to each other. He called out, "I love you all so much! Never forget that! I love you!"

Laura looked into his eyes one last time, and told him, "You were a good husband and loving father, Clint Barton, and we will always remember that! We love you!"

With those words, his family was gone.

Just over an hour later, the same guards returned to take him to the execution chamber, They bound his hands behind him, and led him down a hallway his family thankfully hadn't seen. He was led into a room that on one end a screen had been set up to conceal the firing squad's identities, and on the other a metal pole had been placed into the floor. They led him to the pole where the cuff were briefly unlocked so they could secure his hands behind the pole. Finally the fastened his body to the pole with leather straps before a target was pinned to his shirt over his heart.

"Oh you're not inspiring a lot of confidence from me if these guys need a visual aid to find their target," he quipped.

The guard said nothing but instead stood to the side, coming to attention as a lone figure entered the room. When Clint turned his head to meet the gaze of the man who had entered, one lone eye gazed back. One eye full of all sorts of emotions with the most prominent being sadness.

"Hello, sir," Clint said quietly. "I'd heard rumors you'd be the one to give the order but I didn't really believe it until just now."

Nick Fury nodded, "I'm sorry it came to this, Clint, that it's me. But since we're the ones who agreed to carry out this... entire thing, I have to be the one who gives the order."

"Of course, sir. I wouldn't expect otherwise."

"Three minutes, Director."

Clint swallowed, and dropped his gaze.

"I will look after them you know... from a distance as I don't imagine she'll want anything to do with me after this," Fury murmured.

Clint knew Laura might eventually forgive Fury for his role in this but he didn't think it was wise to say so. Instead, Clint just nodded, and said, "Thank you, sir. That means more to me than you know."

"One minute until we're broadcasting!"

Fury looked at the guard, who took out a black hood, and approached Clint.

"I don't need that. I'm not afraid of dying," Clint said, moving his head away.

"I'm sorry but you have no choice. It's one of the things that's been insisted on," Nick told him.

"I guess they don't want people to see the life leaving my eyes."

"I guess not."

Clint sighed, and allowed the guard to slip the hood on.

"Twenty seconds."

"Godspeed, Barton," Fury said before he walked over to the side.

"You too, sir," Clint said.

Clint assumed they were live on the airwaves when he heard the sound of the firing squad enter the room. He listened as they positioned themselves opposite of his position without any verbal commands.

"Do you have any final words?" Fury asked him.

"The only thing I want to say is, I am sorry for how I was like Thanos and I thought I had the right to bring balance to the universe. I didn't and I hurt innocents because of it. I hope those who love me can forgive me one day."

Fury waited a moment to see if he would speak again, and when he didn't he yelled out, "Ready your weapons!"

Clint heard the sound of the guns being readied.

"Aim!"

He swallowed, his heart and breathing quickening.

This was it.

"Fire!"

Deafening shots rang out, and Clint felt the bullets pierce his heart.

Then his head rolled forward, and his body went limp.

A medic on standby went forward, and listened for a heartbeat, then looked at Fury.

"The prisoner is dead."

"Time of death, 10:07PM, December 7th."
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"Come on, minkjære, let us explore the realm of Ghostwhite!" Loki grinned with mischief shining in his eyes as he tugged at her arm.

Eva looked around and hesitated as she looked at the shimmering mists around them. She is not sure how she let her husband talk her into coming to this place when all she really wanted to do was spend a lazy day lounging underneath her favorite tree.

"Are you sure it's safe? We don't have any idea what's out there!"

"But that's the fun of it!" Loki exclaimed, holding out his hand, "Trust me, minkjære. It will be worth it."

Although she's still a bit uncertain, Eva takes his hand, and together they ventured deeper into the otherworldly, surreal landscape. They encountered cretures Eva was sure had come from her dreams, and the landscape around them seem to be shifting, transforming with each passing moment.

Eva marveled at the mystifying beauty that surrounded her, and suddenly she started giggling.

Loki laughed in response, and again each time she did. Their exchange went on for some minutes until Eva pulled her hand free and started dancing around in a way that frightened him.

"Oh look!" Eva exclaimed, "There's a red elephant over there on the other side of the glade!"

He looked in the direction she pointed in and saw nothing but the mists of Ghostwhite.

"Come on, Loki!"

Loki wrapped an arm around her waist when she started walking towards it without regard for the water.

"What's wrong, minkjærlighet? Don't you want to see the elephant?"

"As much as I would love to, minkjære, I believe it is time you and I made our departure and return him."

"But I want to see the elephant!"

"Minkjære, you're starting to frighten me. Please come with me, and let us depart."

"Oh, okay. Bye bye, Mr. Elephant!" Eva said with a wave and a giggle.
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Tony, whenever he knew he was going to be out in public any length of time, made sure that he was never seen without a pair of sunglasses on. Whether he was in a meeting or later out saving the world, he always had a pair of shades to complete his look.

But why did Tony have so many sunglasses?

The answer to that question goes back to when Tony was a boy. Tony could look back and he could never remember ever seeing his father Howard without them on when he was in public. When he saw his dad wearing them, the thought they were the coolest thing ever. Howard would often buy him different pairs of sunglasses in hopes that Tony would share his of them too.

As he got older, Tony's love for sunglasses stuck with him. He started collecting them, always on the lookout for the coolest, and the most unique pairs. He would wear them while in the his workshop sometimes, or when he was out on the town, trying to hide that it was him under from the paparazzi.

But it's not only a fashion statement that he loved making with the sunglasses. Tony had sensitive eyes due to all the welding he did when he was creating his Iron Man suits. The sunglasses helped to protect his eyes from harsh lights and harmful rays.

At some point his love for sunglasses became infectious to those around him, and soon it seemed every one of the people close to him were sporting their own pairs. Pepper, who was at first for many years his assistant only and later the love of his life, always had a pair on her desk, ready for him to pick out a new pair to wear.

Even after Tony became Iron Man, and he could look at the world through his helmet, he always still kept up the tradition of wearing sunglasses. They had become a part of who he was, a symbol of his personality and style before the world.

Over the years, Tony's collection grew and rivaled his other collections in its size. He had pairs from every corner of the world, some having personalized touches like his name or Iron Man's emblem on them. But even with all the thousands of pairs he had, he would still go out and buy more. He loved the feeling he got when he found another new pair that he loved.

So don't be surprised when you see Tony Stark, and he's rocking a new and different pair of sunglasses. They're not just a fashion statement for him, they're a symbol of times gone past with his father, and a reminder of his own journey to being who he is now.
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Thor and Jane's twins, Freyja and Freddie, are very excited about their school's upcoming Fall play. They are both going to be playing pilgrims in the play and they can't wait to get on stage to show everyone what they've been practicing for weeks. But when Thor asked who the pilgrims are were, Jane knew it was time to share their story from history.

Jane asked her son to bring her his history book, and after Freddie returned with it, she flipped through the pages until she found the section. She showed him he pages as she said, "The pilgrims were a group of people who left England in the early 1600s in order to escape religious persecution that was going on at the time in England. They sailed to what later became Massachusetts here in the United States."

Thor looked confused, "Why did they leave England?"

"They wanted to be able to worship in their own way instead of being told how to do it by the government of the Church of England."

Thor nodded, "This is very different from what we believe on Asgard. No beliefs or religion is imposed on any of our citizens. although most of our people hold beliefs of the All-Fathers within their hearts. What did these **pilgrims** do in America?"

"Well they had a very hard time after they arrived. They had to make a life for themselves and had to build everything from scratch. They also needed to grow their own food since they didn't have much left from the journey, and the winter they went through after getting here was a very harsh, cold one. Although many of them died during the winter, they didn't give up."

"Yeah, they were very brave!" Freyja said, "Weren't they, Mommy?"

"Yes, sweetie, they were."

In the week leading up to the play, the twins dressed up in their pilgrim costumes and they rehearsed their lines to be sure they knew them. They recited lines about the hardships the pilgrims had faced, along with lines of gratitude for the native peoples who befriended and helped them, along with some about the importance of perseverance and faith.

Both Thor and Jane looked on with pride as they watched their children come onto the stage. Along with their classmates, Freyja and Freddie brought the story of the pilgrims to life, helping the audience to remember the bravery and determination that had helped to shape the foundation of the United States.

The audience applauded when the play ended, and Thor turned to his wife, "That was a very interesting story. I am pleased that our children were able to learn about such an important part of this Midgard's history."

"I'm glad too that they got to share the story with others. I think they made us all very proud!" Jane agreed with a smile.
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The sun was setting over District Twelve as Katniss and Peeta returned from a long day of hunting in the woods. Their two children, a boy and a girl, ran to greet them as they entered the Victors village.

"Mom! Dad! We have something to show you!" their son exclaimed.

With their curiosity piqued, Katniss and Peeta eagerly followed their children to another small clear in the wood. As they came closer, they saw that a beautiful mural had been painted on a close by rock face.

"Wow! Amazing! Did you guys paint this?" Peeta asked as he went closer to look at it.

"Yes, we did!" said their son.

"Katniss, you've got to see this!"

Katniss walked over to the mural and said, "Wow, this really is amazing, you guys!"


"It's our vision for a better future," their daughter proclaimed.

"What do you mean, Rosa?" Katniss asked. 'What's your vision for the future?"

"Well," their son began, "they've started to teach us about the Hunger Games, and Rosa and I, well we decided that we want to do everything we can to make sure nothing like the Games ever happens again. We painted our mural to show everyone what the future should always look like!"

They looked at the mural again, and studied it. Katniss and Peeta can't but feel so proud as they look at a scene of plentiful crops, kids play at schools, hospitals open and available to all. There was even a section for a memorial section remembering all of those who had died fighting the war for freedom against the Capitol's tyranny.

"This is so beautiful," Katniss said, tears in her eyes as she looked at the faces of those lost, "Your vision is so important. It reminds us why we fought and what we must always keep fighting for each and every day."

Peeta wrapped an arm around her shoulders, and he nodded, "I could not have said it any better myself. With vision like this, you two are going to change the world!"

As they returned to their home in District Twelve, Katniss and Peeta couldn't help but feel grateful for their children's VISION of a better future and the hope it had made swell up inside of their hearts.

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 It is a not so quiet day on board the Razor as the hull reverberated with the sounds of Grogu's cries. Din immediately rushed to Grogu's side, who was in his floating pram. The little one clutched his tiny frame, as he shivered uncontrollably. "Kid, what's wrong?" he asked as he picked Grogu up.
 
Din cradled him gently as he looked the baby over. Grogu's usually bright eyes were glazed over, and his tiny hands were hot to the touch. Din felt his heart sink as the realization that Grogu was sick sank in.
 
"Oh, kid, shhh," he said as soothingly as he knew how, "I'm right here, and I'm not going anywhere."
 
Din needed to return to piloting the ship, so he picked up the blanket from the pram, and wrapped the child up in it. He returned to his seat, and settled down into it with Grogu resting against his chest. The control of the ship hummed softly, but Din's attention was mainly on the tiny being still crying in his arms. In an effort to calm Grogu, to offer some measure of comfort, he started to stroke his head.
 
As the hours went on, Din was steadfast, and did not waver in caring for Grogu. He made a warm bone broth, and coaxed the baby to take some, in the hopes it would help Grogu feel a little better. Grogu fell asleep after he ate half of the bowl, and still Din continued to hold him.
 
Night came, and Grogu remained sick, Din continued to care for him. Grogu's rest was restless for most of the night, so he hummed a tune he supposed was a lullaby his mother sang to him once. The lullaby soothed the baby, and soon Grogu was finally asleep. Din took the opportunity to get some rest himself while keeping one ear open for any whimpers from the baby. But Grogu slept through the night, and the next morning, Din was awakened by a tiny hand banging on his helmet.
 
Din opened his eyes, and looked at the kid, "Hey, how are you feeling this morning, Grogu?"
 
Grogu babbled in response.
 
"Feeling better, huh?"
 
"Patu."
 
"I'll take that as a yes. I'm so glad you're better!" Din said, picking him up, "So how about some breakfast?"
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Odin and Loki were walking through the halls of the Palace, enjoying the quiet peace that had settled over Asgard.

In the distance from where they are, a group of young maidens are walking together. In the midst of them Loki sees his betrothed is in conversation with another one of the young women. They're laughing together, and Loki is relieved to see her making friends among the Asgardians, for her doesn't want her to be lonely after they've wed.

They are precisely one month away from when they would exchange vows not be all of Asgard but a good portion of it. Eva's family will also be at the ceremony that Odin had agreed to officiate as both the King of Asgard, and as the father of the groom.

Loki had hesitated at the idea of Odin having such a huge role in their wedding, but Eva had thought it would be a good idea as it would help to continue to heal the rift between them.

He'd bowed to her wisdom.

Suddenly, Eva looked in his direction, her face lighting up when she saw him, and she waved.

He returned her wave, and was suddenly aware of the fact Odin was watching him closely.

"Have care, Loki. For while she seems to be strong, vital, and beautiful now, all too soon she will wither, then die. And she will do far sooner than you will."

Loki was taken aback by his words, and then he grew angry, "How can you say such things when we are to soon wed?"

"Mayhap you will not believe me when I say this, but my words are not intended to be cruel. They are a simple reminder of the folly which you are about to enter into with your union with the Midgardian woman. Her people are fragile creatures as they are born, live, and they die after such the blink of an eye for us. It is the way of things concerning them."

"But does a shorter lifespan means she is weak? Eva may not be as powerful as a single warrior of Asgard, but she has qualities that I admire. She is endlessly kind, and an indomitable strength of character that I admire."

With a nod, Odin acknowledged Loki's words, "It is true that that mortals, especially those of Midgard, have some admirable traits. Even so, it is their mortality that makes them weak when compared to us. When compared to them, we have life eternal, and we are far more powerful than they will ever be."

He thought about Odin's words for a moment. He knows there is truth to what Odin said. He knows that mortals are weak in some ways, but that didn't necessarily make them lesser beings than those who dwelt in Asgard. Yet he knows he cannot condemn Odin for perhaps having such thoughts as he himself once thought of humans as being less than the dust on his boot.

"I concede your point, Father," Loki said, "Nevertheless I still see Eva as the remarkable woman she is, despite her mortality."

"I do not doubt that she is a remarkable woman, my son, as she has been able to capture your heart so completely. But you must bear in mind she is also fragile and mortal."

"I will, Father. Now if you will excuse me, I must go seek out Thor."

Odin dismissed him, and as he watched him go, his old battle hardened warrior's heart ached for both of his sons. For they both loved mortal women, and sailed in seas that had a false calm now. He knew that when the two women they loved breathed their last, both of them would find themselves lost in the raging seas of grief, to perhaps perish on the razor sharp rocks of its shores before they returned to shore.

If they ever did.

Odin prayed they would not perish.
 
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Once in the land of Asgard, Loki was spending some exquisite time with his beloved daughter, Sigyn. They were on their rare visits to the Palace, and were spending some time walking through the gardens. Sigyn loved and was delighted by the colorful flowers and the fragrant smells.

"Father, why do some flowers grow taller than others do?" Sigyn asked, as she craned her little neck to look up at them."

Loki's grin contained mischief as he answered, "Well, little snowflake, it's all a matter of how much they've grown as nature dictates. And nature dictates that some flowers are destined to grow bigger and stronger than others." 

Sigyn wrinkled her nose that was so like her mother's, in thought, "But what does nature have them grow at all??

Loki chuckled, "Well, it is nature's way of ensuring that everything and everyone can survive and thrive. Some things grow to be big and tall, while others will stay small and delicate."

His daughter scowled, deep in thought, "But what about me, Father? Will I grow big and tall like the flowers do?"

Loki knelt down beside her, his expression going soft as he looked up into her eyes, "Of course you will, my little snowflake. You grow up to be very strong and as brave as your mother.

Although she'd never known her mother, Sigyn beamed with pride at the mention of her mother. As they continued to walk, she continued peppering her father with question after question. Loki could not help but marvel at how much his daughter had grown in both physical and intellectual.

"Boy, Father, grown-ups sure so know bunches and bunches of stuff, don't they?" the little girl remarked, her gaze holding adoration for her father.

Loki smiled at her, "Yes, we certainly do. But do not worry, my little snowflake. Even when you all grown-up and a beautiful young woman, I will always be here to teach you new things."

Then with a sigh of contentment, father and daughter continued their walk hand-in-hand, basking not in the warmth of Asgard's sun, but of each other.
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Although Loki and Eva had been together for years now, it wasn't until recently that he had come to realize that she had completely enchanted him. He had always been a mischievous trickster, leaving chaos behind him wherever he went, and apparently Eva was the only one who could keep up with him.

"Eva minkjære, have you ever stopped to consider how you have enchanted me?" Loki asked one day as they worked in their garden together.

Eva raised an eyebrow, and wiped her forehead, surprised by the sudden question, "You find me enchanting?" she asked as she gestured to the dirt in her face. "Looking like this?"

Loki stepped closer to her, "I mean it, minkjære. In the most literal sense. You have cast a spell over me, and I am hopelessly bewitched by the power you hold over me."

Eva laughed, "What makes you think that?"

He smiled, "It is simple, my love. I cannot get enough of you, and every time my eyes behold you, I become all the more entranced. Your unparalleled beauty, your razor sharp wit, and your intelligence are all more than I know how to handle."

Warmth spread throughout Eva, "I never dreamed I would be able to enchant such a notorious trickster."

"And I never dreamed I would fall in love with a woman of Midgard. But I have, and I never ever want to be freed from your spell, minkjære. My heart would stop beating if I ever am. Be mine forever?"

Eva looked into his eyes, "Of course, minkjærlighet. Of course, I will! My heart stop beating too if I were to lose you!"

A bird's nearby call shattered the moment, and Loki said, "Come, we have worked enough for today." He held out a hand towards her.

Eva considered arguing for a moment, then took his hand with her hand covered one, and together they returned to the inside of their cottage.
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Loki had never expected to ever visit Earth in way that wasn't a brief visit to the planet — not after what he did to their city of New York. It did not matter that twenty of their years had gone by or that he himself had spent many of those years imprisoned on Asgard by Odin's orders. Although he'd set foot on the world many times since, those visits had always been fleeting and he knew they must remain always so.

So when he spends two weeks on Midgard, exploring one of its countries with his wife, he cannot help but feel the wonder of being on Earth each and every moment he shared with Eva. They'd been married almost three years when she asked him if it would be possible for them to have a honeymoon together on Earth in England. At first, he'd said no it would be impossible but then he had talked with Frigga about how he could use his limited magic to bring it about.

Frigga had agreed to help him, and after long talks with Odin, the visit on Earth with granted. Loki would be free to disguise himself to those on Midgard, but only if he agreed to allow Heimdall to watch him at all times. At first that seemed an invasion of privacy, but Heimdall swore an oath he would honor Loki's privacy when it came to certain matters.

Now, on this day in the middle of their two week honeymoon in the country of England, they found themselves strolling in the lush, vibrant green countryside. The landscapes were breathtaking he had to admit, and the quaint stone cottages fascinated not only him but Eva. On this day, Eva wanted to see the ruins of an old castle.

As they neared the castle, the air was thick with an air of mystery. Moss covered the walls, and the remnants of the castle's once strong towers stood as testaments of a forgotten era. The sun's fading light filtered through the trees, casting an ethereal glow on the ruins.

Eva, so adventurous and inquisitive like her father, turned to Loki with a playful gleam in her eyes, "I've heard the local says this is a haunted place. Do you believe in ghosts?"

Loki regarded her with a smirk, his eyes twinkling as he answered her, "Oh, my dear Eva, it's a mere matter of perception when it comes to ghosts. As a trickster and conjurer or magic, I've encountered much supernatural phenomena, but ghosts... well I suppose they have their own elusive charm."

Understanding her husband's ever-curious nature, she smiled. She took a hold of his hand, and then led him deeper into the ruins of the castle, with its forgotten grandeur. The wind whistled through the cracks, bearing on it echoes of the past.
 
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Tony was just finishing up making breakfast for his family when his daughter Eva walked into the kitchen wearing a pair of brightly colored socks. The socks caught Tony's eye, and when he looked down at his own feet, he was surprised to see his socks matched Eva's perfectly. He grinned and lifted her up and they showed off their socks to each other, happy to have matched each other without meaning to.

Pepper walked into the kitchen next, and caught a peek at their matching socks. She shook her head and said with a smile, "Look at you two! Matching socks and everything!"

Later in the day, while Tony and Eva are watching a movie together, Ethan came walking through. He'd spent the night on his Uncle Jimmy's floor, and had yet to see their socks. He stopped, and looked at their matching socks, then asked, "Are you guys seriously wearing the same socks?"

Tony glanced at his daughter, and they burst out laughing. He wrapped his arms around Eva, and informed his son, "You know what they always say - the family that wears matching socks stays together!" Ethan rolled his eyes as they laughed again.

"Oh you guys are so silly!"

It was from that moment on, Tony and Eva always made it a point to wear matching socks whenever they could. It was a small tradition they'd started by accident on Sunday morning, but it was one they are happy that got started as it brought them closer together. They don their matching socks whether they're getting ready for school or just lounging around the penthouse, they always had on a fun pair of colorful socks. And each and every time they wore them, they were reminded of their special bond they had together as father and daughter.
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Ethan seated himself at the small table at the window, then placed a bowl of oatmeal and a cup of coffee in front of his father with care. He hated to admit to himself how fragile his father looked these days, what being wheelchair bound. But at least Ethan could smile at how sharp his Dad's mind still was.

Sharp as ever!!!

"Morning, Dad!" Ethan said with cheer.

"Morning, Ethan," Tony replied, carefully taking a sip of his coffee. "What's for breakfast today?"

"Just some oatmeal. It's good for you," Ethan said with a smile.

Tony rolled his eyes. "Since when did oatmeal become gourmet cuisine?"

"Since you became a health nut a few years back!" Ethan teased, remembering when his father's obsession started and how much it'd increased along with his age.

Tony chuckled, "Touché. So, what's on the agenda for today?"

"You've got a doctor's appointment at eleven. Remember?" Ethan said as he flipped through his Dad's caledar

"Oh, that's right! I remember now! My memory's not what it was once upon a time!" Tony sighed.

Speaking of memory... "Hey, Dad, do you remember that Avengers cereal they used to have when Eva and I were kids?"

Tony's brow furrowed. "Avengers cereal?"

"Yeah, it had all the little marshmallow shapes in it," he said, and laughed, "Eva and I used to fight over who got the Iron Man one after she started eating that kind of cereal too!"

Tony thought about it a second then his face lit up with the memory, "Oh yeah! I remember it now! Your Mother always fussed when I used to give you and your sister that cereal without any fruit in it!"

"Yeah, that's the one!" Ethan said with a smile, but a wisp of sadness overtook him thinking about his late Mom, "It's funny how thing stay with you, you know?" He raised the spoon of oatmeal to his Dad's mouth.

Tony nodded, lost in the memories of those days long past, his dear Pepper gone for several years now. He couldn't help the sadness he felt now because the past was forever in the past. His life had been filled with so much adventure, and excitement then, but now he was in a wheelchair, dependent on hos son and daughter for his daily needs.

At the same time though, he was grateful to his kids for their devoted love and care of him. He might be quite old now, but he still had so much love to give and experience.

"Don't worry, Dad. We'll make sure you get some Iron Man marshmallows in your cereal tomorrow," Ethan said, sensing his father's somber mood.

Tony's face brightened up, "Sounds like a plan."
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"Are you ready to go, Sigyn?" Loki asked as he stops outside the closed door of his daughter's room.

"Almost, Father!" Her muffled voice responded.

"Darling, what are you doing?" He asked after hearing a series of slamming going on.

"Nothing!"

"If you are doing nothing, snowflake, then pray why am I hearing such—" The rest of his inquiry was cut off when his daughter's scream was followed by the sound of something of a fair size hitting the floor.

Upon hearing the crash, Loki quickly turned the doorknob and pushed open the door. The scene before him was a whirlwind of chaos. Clothes lay strewn across the floor like a colorful tapestry, with his daughter at the heart of it, half covered with more of her garments.

His eyes widened in disbelief as he took in the disarray even as amusement tugged at the corners of his mouth. Since her head was covered by one of her cloaks, he crossed the room, and lifted it from her face, "Sigyn, what happened here?"

"I...I.." the little girl, then dropped her head.

"You were trying to fetch something off of the top shelf of your wardrobe again, weren't you," He stated without asking.

"Yes, Father, I was," she murmured quietly.

"Stand up please."

His daughter got to her feet.

"What have we discussed about this, Sigyn?" he asked solemnly.

"That... that I'm not to climb on the shelves in my wardrobe because it's dangerous. They could break or I could lose my grip and fall and get hurt," she answered still looking down.

Loki lifts her chin up, and looks her in the eye, "Yes, you mayhap be hurt if either should happen. I do not want you to ever do it again, Sigyn. You are to ask me to help you if there is something that you want and cannot reach. Do you understand me?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good. Now, as for the matter of your disobedience in this, your punishment shall be for you to muck out, on your own, Drifa's stall for an entire week after we return from Høstgudstjeneste. Do you understand this, Sigyn"

Her eyes are bright with tears as she nodded her head, "Yes, sir."

He allowed the decree to sink in for another moment, then he asked, "Now tell please me what you were trying to find when this happened?" He waved his hand over the mess in the room.

"I was trying to find the gloves Gam Gam gave me on Midgard. I want to take them with me."

Ah, the gloves her grandmother the Midgard woman had given her. Sigyn had told him the story of them belonging to her own mother when she was a child the first time he'd seen her playing with them on. He certainly approved her of her having anything that once belonged to his beloved wife, but the fact they were made to resemble the gauntlets of his once enemy were a bit much.

"I am sorry, snowflake, but you will have to leave them here," Loki informed her.

Her lips turned down in a frown, "But why, Father?"

"Well for one thing, you do not know where they are at this moment do you?"

"No, Father."

"Then there is your reason why. Now, come let us—"

"But I want to wear them to the Gratitude Ball, Father!" Sigyn said, crossing her arms, and stomping her foot.

Loki frowned at her now as she was close to a tantrum, and in the most serious tone he replied to her, "Sigyn, I have told you that we do not have time for you to look for them. If you wanted to take them with us, you should have located them before the day and hour of our departure. Now, come with me outside to await our ride to the city."

She opened her mouth.

He held up a finger, "Not another word, Sigyn, or you will be mucking out Drifa's stall for two weeks. Am I understood?"

Sigyn clearly was not happy, but she nodded her understanding.

"Alright, please pick up your bag of the other things you wish to take with you, and let us depart." The mess of her room would have to wait until they came home to be picked up.

With that, father and daughter stepped out of their cottage home to await the skiff that was to take them to the Palace. Loki tried talking with his daughter as they waited, but Sigyn was more interested in moping over her favorite gloves. After they were waiting more than ten minutes, Loki almost gave in and told her she could go look once more for them as he hated to see her unhappy. But he kept his silence as he knew it was better not to let her have her way. He also knew after they were departed for the city, her spirits would brighten, and by the time the' reached their destination, she would be the easygoing child she had always had been.

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Pepper was hard at work in her study, reports and other paperwork related to the founding of a new company littering her desk top. She'd spent enough time as CEO of Stark industries to have grown accustomed to the demands of such work but she had no idea that laying the foundations of an entirely new company would be so challenging. As soon as she finished writing the sentence she was currently on, Pepper turned her eyes away from the screen, and immediately they fell upon the picture of her daughter.

Eva was five years old now with more curiosity and wonder than either she or even Tony sometimes knew what to do with. She's a perfect combination of both of her parents with her mother's feisty spirit and Tony's brilliant mind. Pepper loves Eva beyond any boundaries or measure, and she treasures each chance she gets to making unforgettable memories with her daughter. 

On a day where the sun was shining so brightly, Pepper received an invitation to attend a charity ball that was being hosted by the Maria Stark Foundation — an origination that Tony had founded in honor of his late mother. As she opened the invite and read, she soon realized it was a girl's only invite. The theme of the charity ball was "Pearls and Lace", which was a nod to Maria Stark's exquisite taste in both jewelry and fashion. With a smile, she accepted the invitation, knowing it was the perfect occasion to share a special night with her daughter.  

Excitement danced in the air when Pepper showed the invitation to Eva. Her daughter's eyes twinkled with ardor, "Mommy, will I have a beautiful dress too?" Eva asked, her voice teeming with enthusiasm.

Pepper gave her a warm smile and replied, "Of course, you may, sweetheart. Now, let's find the perfect dress for you that'll match the ball's theme." After making sure the guys in their aka Tony and Ethan would be okay without them, they left to go on a shopping adventure, and visited the city's most upscale boutiques.

It was in a small boutique tucked away on a charming street where they discovered a breathtaking dress. It was adorned with delicate lace patterns and shimmering pearls, the epitome of elegance. As Eva twirled in front of the mirror, her laughter filled the room, making Pepper's heart nearly burst with joy.

Finally when the night of the charity ball arrived, Pepper watched as Eva fluttered about the penthouse, eager to have her turn to get ready. Then the moment came when they were both standing in front of the full-length mirror, and Pepper couldn't help but marvel at their reflections. She was dressed in a gown that stunningly highlighted her poise and grace, while Eva was vision in her tiny pearl and lace dress.

Eva clasped her Mommy's hand as they descended the grand staircase, stepping into a world of glamour tempered by the philanthropic reason they were all here for the night. The ballroom was dazzling with bright chandeliers and tables adorned with shimmering pearls and lace.

While Pepper mingled with the other attendees, she couldn't help but take note of Eva watching her interactions with pride. But watching her Mommy with interest only last so long with the little girl, and soon she was talking to the ladies in the room on her own. One thing she was not as Tony Stark's daughter was shy!

In the midst of the elegant affair, Eva's eyes turned to a quiet corner of the ballroom where an elderly sat alone. As she watched the lady for a little while, Eva began to wonder why she was alone. She thought the lady looked sad, and so she ventured across the room.

"Hello," the little girl said sweetly, "Would you like me to stay with you and talk to you since you don't have anyone to talk to?"

The lady's eyes brightened with gratitude, and she nodded at Eva, "I'm Mrs. Montgomery, dear. What's your name?"

"My name is Eva. Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Mont...Monty!"

The woman smiled, as she realized that the child didn't quite know how to pronounce her name.

Later, that evening when they were on their way home from the ball, Eva exclaimed, "Tonight was so fun and magical, Mommy!"

Pepper leaned over and kissed the top of Eva's head, "Yes, baby, it really was. And while pearls and lace might be beautiful, it's the kindness and love we show others that makes life truly remarkable."

"You mean like me and Mrs. Monty?" Eva asked.

Placing an arm around her daughter's shoulders, Pepper murmured, "Yes, my love, like you and Mrs. Monty."
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Tony was in his workshop with dozens of holographic displays lit up showing various projects he has been working on when Rhodey entered the room. When he took a quick glance over, he noticed that his BFF had on his War Machine armor.

Rhodey took off his armor, leaving it to be a silent sentry with the rest of its metal brothers, and then he walked over to Tony, "Hey, Tony, I don't know why but I've been thinking about our recent victories a lot. It's unbelievable what we've been able to do together."

When Tony glanced up from his work, Rhodey thought his friend looked wearied, and when Tony actually spoke, he confirmed it.

"Yeah, I know we've have some big successes, but you know what they say, Platypus: Success is not final."

Rhodey gave a nod as he understood the sentiment that went behind Tony's words, "You know, you're right about that, Tony. I mean success is just a passing moment in time, right? It's what we do next that actually matters."

Tony leaned back, and stretched out his legs, lacing his fingers behind his head, "You know, we have saved the world so many times, but there will always be a new threat coming down the road in the future. We can't stop to rest on any kind of applause we might have gotten for our heroics. No, we have to keep looking forward, and try to be ready for whatever might come."

Rhodey nodded, and after a few seconds of silence, he motioned for Tony to get up, "Now if we're all done philosophizing, I need you to take a look at my armor. I'm having some issues."

With another stretch, Tony got up, and gestured for him to lead the way, "You started it, you know."

"What? Started what?"" Rhodey said on his way back to his armor.

"The philosophizing!" Tony retorted, making air quotes with his fingers even if Rhodey wasn't looking at him right then.

"I did not!"

"Did too!"

"Yes, you did!"

"No, I didn't!"

Yes, you—"

Rhodey threw up his hands, "Okay, maybe I did! Can we please just get on with looking at the armor?"

Tony smirked at him, and said, "So tell me, what seems to be the problem?"
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Dearest Pepper,

As I am writing this letter, I hope you are in good health and the highest of spirits. I wish to confess, my dear, that I've been keeping a secret you. Lately, I have found myself so captivated by your radiant presence that there's no hope of escape for me. Not only this but a certain admiration for you has taken hold of my heart. The best I can describe it is if It's a flame that had nearly been snuffed out has suddenly had log thrown onto it, and it has now a new burning bright life to it.

Every day, you take my breath away as I witness your unwavering strength as a woman. Every day, I behold the infinite reasons why I fell in love with you. I love how dedicated you are to the things we want to accomplish together, the light in your eyes when you do something that before looked impossible, and the sheer brilliance to all that you touch which is always nothing short of extraordinary!

For now though, my intentions will remain secret within my secret admirer's heart. I hope you will consider this first letter a microscopic sample of the unspoken feelings that are found deep inside my heart. You should know that my love grows for you with every moment that passes by.

Yours faithfully,
A Secret Admirer
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rivalrywell = good / fountain200 years ago"I'm a sirene not a monster."bear hug (color #796359)stained glass (color #098079)
a secret admirerfound and lostvirusenchantedcursetie
Success is not final.bewitchedtime machineShakespearelong-distance relationshiphigh heels
retirementgroan / grownhaunted placebroken glasspyramidsblack hole
pearls and lace (color #dcd0cb)drunken love confessionsweek / weakcolorful socksthe Candy Housedeadline
towerAlone we can do so little.holidaysglovescereal / serial (killer)cyber pets

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It is time, Jarod decided one day as he stood by Sydney's grave. It is time to disappear forever off of the Centre's radar forever now that the man who for all intents and purposes was his father is gone.

As Jarod looked down upon Sydney's final resting place, he finds himself hoping that somehow, someway that the man who knew him better than anyone else, is actually at rest. But whether or not he is at rest, there is nothing Jarod can do to help him. Now the only thing he can do, is to help himself by disappearing forever.

And it is time to do just that as he'd been playing this cat and mouse game with the Center for almost twenty years now, and he's tired of it.

He begins to walk away from the grave, and stops after a few steps. He looks back at the headstone, and considers. His mentor is gone, never to be touched by the Centre's evil influence again, but there are others they can still get to. They will too if they think it will make him come back.

No, he decides, it's time. It ends today. They will be okay. This can't go on forever, and he doesn't want it to. He wants to have a normal life for once, or rather as normal as he can make it. So with that in mind, he starts to walk forward again, and this time he does not look back.
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There is a very special day coming up soon for Natasha and Nadia — it's the annual recital for the eight year old's ballet class. The recital is almost here, so they have spent every moment they can rehearsing their routines. Yes, mother and daughter are going to be dancing together during a very special moment in the recital. Natasha had helped out with Nadia's ballet class over the years, and this year her daughter's teachers insisted that she must perform a dance in the recital.

The night of the recital finally arrived, and the auditorium quickly filled up with the families of all the school's students. All of them were eager to see the progress their sons and daughters had made over the last year of learning.

Minutes before the recital was scheduled to begin, Natasha and Nadia had spent a few minutes with Clint and Franky, the family talking and laughing together. Then when one of the teachers came through to tell them it was five minutes before the performance started, the family broke up.

Clint took his five year old son's hand, and kissed his wife, "I'd say break a leg, honey, but you're far too graceful for that! So instead, I'll say good luck!"

"Good luck, Mommy, Nadia!" Franky echoed.

"Thank you, boys, " Natasha replied with a smile.

"Thanks, Daddy, Franky!" Nadia said, also smiling.

"Go get 'em, girls! Come on, Franky, we'd better go find our seats!"

As they disappeared, Natasha turned to her daughter, "Ready, Nadyechka?"

"Da," Nadia answered, "Я готов, мама."

With that, they took their places, ready to go on stage and dance together when their moment arrived.
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Sebastian was sitting on the couch in the living room with his father, Steven. His Dad's arm was wrapped around his shoulders and the atmosphere in the room around them was so solemn. Sebastian's great-grandfather Steve Rogers, widely known as Captain America, had recently passed away and his absence hung heavy in their hearts.

"Dad, I miss him," Sebastian said quietly, his voice filled with a mixture of sadness and longing, "I miss Grandpa Steve so much!"

Steven's eyes reflecting his own grief. "I know, son. Your great-grandfather Steve was an incredible man, and we were so very fortunate to have as much time with him that we had."

Sebastian nodded, tears glistening in his eyes. "I'll never forget all the time I had with him. He taught me a lot, Dad. He was my hero."

Steven gives his son a warm smile, doing this own remembering. "I know, he was mine too. Along with Nonno. Oh, I wish you could have known Nonno too."

"Me too but I am grateful that at least I got to know Grandpa Steve. But I wish I could've had more time with him, Dad."

Steven leaned closer, his eyes filled with understanding. "You know even though he may not be physically here, his spirit lives on in you, Sebastian. I see a lot of him in you."

"You do?"

"Mmmhmm, I do."

Sebastian felt a tear escape, and he swiped it away. But even as sad as he was, his Dad's words stirred up a flicker of hope deep within him. "You really think so, Dad?" he asked one more time.

Steven gave his son an enthusiastic nod. "I really think so Sebastian. I see your determination, your sense of justice, your unwavering belief in doing what's right. I believe all these qualities that you'll carry on Grandpa Steve's legacy in your own way.

Sebastian's cracked from the mix of gratitude and determination he was feeling. "I'm not going to let fade away, Dad. I'll do everything I can to honor him, along with the legacy of our great-grandparents Tony and Pepper Stark. I want to and I will make a difference, just like they did."

Steven's face lit up with with the pride he could help but feel, "That's my boy. I know you will, Sebastian. You have the intelligence, the heart, and the courage to make a lasting impact on the world."
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Thanos, the Mighty Titan who thought he had the right to murder half of the universe in order to achieve his perfect vision of it, was now dying. One or two more blows from the two Avengers working together in concert to finish him, would end his threat to the universe forever. 

Together, they moved in on Thanos. His eyes blazed as they came closer to him, and knowing his time was about to be ended, he used his last breath to utter a venomous curse that was heard throughout the entire battlefield.

"Stark, you may have defeated me, but my curse shall follow you till the end of your days," Thanos ranted, spitting his final breaths out before he was ended by them, his voice laced with malice. "You are going to die in unrelenting agony, and your death will not come swiftly. No power in the universe will be able to save you from this fate! Not even its greatest wielders of magic!"

With one final, decisive charge, Iron Man and Captain America lunged at Thanos, their combined might sealing his fate. When he fell where he had uttered his vile curse upon Tony, the battlefield became suddenly quiet except for the heaviness of Steve's breaths.

Tony turned to him, fear gripping him as he saw how Steve was barely staying on his feet. Tony's heart raced as he looked around, desperation evident in his eyes. He grabbed Steve's arm, his grip tight and urgent, "We need to get you to a doctor now!"

 When Steve mustered a weak smile, Tony couldn't help but notice the pallor that had overtaken his features. It was a smile tinged with resignation, "Too late, Tony. It's... it's too late."

"No, it can't be too late! We have a doctor who's become a wizard! Where's Strange? Does anyone know where to find him?"

"Tony, I—" 

With those two words, Steve lost his valiant battle to remain on his feet, his body collapsing to the ground, the weight of the moment heavy upon them all.

Tony knelt down beside Steve, his grip on his friend's arm tightening. The pain etched on Steve's face, tore at his heart. "We're not giving up, Steve. We've been through worse. We'll find a way to fix this."

Steve gave another weak smile, his voice weak. "I appreciate the sentiment, Tony. But you know as well as I do that... this... this is different this time. This fight... it's taken everything out of me."

Tony's eyes searched desperately for a solution, for a way to save the man who had been both his friend, and his antithesis. He looked to Doctor Strange again, pleading for his help. "Strange, you've seen things beyond our understanding. Can't you do something? Anything?"

Doctor Strange, his expression grim, shook his head. "Tony, I understand your desperation, but the injuries Steve has sustained... they're too severe. Even my magic can't solve everything, and has its limits. There's no easy fix for this."

Tony's frustration and his determination. "There has to be something we can do. We can't just let him di... fade away like this."

There was acceptance in Steve's voice, "Tony, we've been through battles that we thought we couldn't win, yet we always found a way. But this... this is where the long road ends for me. I'm proud of what we've accomplished together. But it's time for me to rest."

Tears welled up in Tony's eyes, and he started to protest, further urge Steve to hang on and keep fighting but he never got the chance. He never got the chance because before he could say another word, Bucky Barnes and Sam Wilson appeared from elsewhere on the battlefield and when they did, Tony knew it was only right that they both get to talk to Steve in his final moments.
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Once upon a time, in the realm of Asgard, a young and curious Sigyn, one day when she was supposed to be studying. approached her father with wide eyes and an eager smile. She held a picture book of enchanted tales in her small hands, she said excitedly, "Father, I want a magic wand! I want to do magic just like Grandmother and you!"

Loki knelt down to so he was at Sigyn's level, his eyes sparkling with both amusement and love. He gently brushed aside a stray strand of her red hair then said, "Oh, my dear Sigyn, why would you want a silly, old thing like a magic wand?"

"I told you, Father! I want a magic wand so I can do magic like you and Grandmother do! And this book says if you want to do magic, you've gotta have a wand!" Sigyn explained solemnly.

Loki felt his heart melting all over at his daughter's precious innocence, and for a moment, he considered just giving in to what she wanted without argument. But he knows there is really no value to the magic wand she's requested, so he shook his head, "No, my little snowflake, there won't be a magic wand for you."

Sigyn's face crumbled, and she huffed, "But why, Father?"

"Because," Loki began, "I know the idea of a magic wand and of everything that it is supposed to allow you to do is enchanting, but such a thing is false. The reason it is alse, my little snowflake, and why it is false is this: Magic is not something found in objects like a wand made of wood or metal. No, my dear, the place where magic comes from is found within you."

"In me?" she said, puzzlement all over her little face.

"Yes, you," Loki confirmed, kissing her cheek.

"But how, Father? How can I have magic inside of me? I can't do anything special like you or Grandmother!"

He gave him a warm smile, and took her hands into his own, "Oh, my little snowflake, magic is not just about conjuring tricks or illusions. Instead, magic is out the energy that is a very part of our being. It's the way we think and feel and create! It's found in the love we give to others, and in our hearts dearest dreams.

Loki smiled warmly and took Sigyn's hands in his own. "Magic is not just about conjuring tricks and illusions, my little one. It is about the energy that flows through our very beings. It's in the way we think, feel, and create. It's in the kindness we show to others, the love we share, and the dreams we hold dear."

Sigyn's brow was furrowed as she tried to understand what her father's words meant, "So, I have magic inside of me because I love you, and Grandmother, and Uncle Thor, Uncle Heimdall, and Auntie Sif and Uncles Fandral, Hogun, and Volstagg? Oh, and Grandfather too although he's terribly grumpy most of the time?

Loki chuckled, heart almost bursting with pride, "Yes, precisely, my precious snowflake! Magic is found in your heart and in the joy you bring to all of those who love you. It is the happiness you find in helping others, and the wonder you find in the simple things. With all this, you have the power to create your own magic."

Sigyn thought for a moment, biting her bottom lip as her mother used to do, then she said, "I don't really need a wand to make magic, do I?"

"No, my love, you are magic itself. Be who you are, and you'll find boundless wonders within your heart.

Loki nodded, his eyes filled with pride. "Exactly, my precious Sigyn. Magic is in your heart. It's the joy you bring to those around you, the happiness you feel when you help someone, and the wonder you find in the simplest of things. You have the power to create your own magic, just like your grandmother and I."

Sigyn's eyes sparkled with newfound understanding and excitement. "So, I don't need a wand to do magic?"

Loki chuckled softly. "No, my dear. You are magic itself. Embrace who you are, and you'll discover endless wonders within."

She threw her arms around his neck, and exclaimed, "Thank you, Father! I don't need a wand because I have my own magic within!"

He hugged her back, murmuring, "You do indeed, my little snowflake. You do indeed!"

Sigyn beamed, her small hand reaching out to touch her father's cheek. "Thank you, Father. I understand now. I'll find my own magic within me!"
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Peter Parker was nervous when he walked into the offices of the Daily Bugle. Why was he nervous? Well because he knew he was already skating on very thin ice with the newspaper's editor-in-chief, J. Jonah Jameson. The editor had already verbally shredded his latest batch of photos of himself as Spider-Man calling them "uninspired" and "bland," and as a result Peter had a sinking feeling that his days as a freelance photographer for the Bugle were numbered.

From the very second he stepped into Jameson's cluttered office, the editor got straight to the point just like he always did. "Listen, Parker, I'll make this quick. I need a new, spectacular picture of Spider-Man and I need it in the next 24 hours. If you can't deliver, you're fired for good."

Peter's stomach did flip flops. He had been struggling to capture a new angle on himself as Spider-Man for weeks now, and he had no idea how he could come up with something truly spectacular in just one day.

Of course he he couldn't let himself get fired. He needed the money, and he needed to keep his connection to the Bugle, even if it meant putting up with putting up with Jameson's not so nice personality.

After taking a couple of deep breaths Peter set out to find new inspiration for his secret identity. He went swinging throughout the city, in the hopes something, anything, might catch his eye.

With most of the day already having gone by, Peter could feel his desperation get bigger and bigger. He took some pictures of himself stopping a few petty crimes here and there but so far he'd captured nothing that was sensational enough for Jameson's standards.

Peter had just nearly given up any hope he had of saving his freelance work with the Bugle when he spotted a group of children trapped in a building that was in flames. He didn't hesitate, swooping into the flames using every bit of his physical enhancements to get them all to safety.

As he rescued each child from the peril, he saw the flashes of cameras, and one time he turned his head to look to see who was taking the pictures. A group of reporters were nearby capturing all of the action. Peter couldn't help but smile to himself as he felt some hope, because perhaps just the sort of shot Jameson would want had been captured.

Sure enough, the next day's edition of the Daily Bugle featured a front-page photo of Spider-Man saving the children from the burning building. Jameson sings the praises of the shot calling it spectacular and iconic and Peter breathed a sigh of relief.

Of course, Peter knows he will never ever be able to satisfy the editor all of the time, but at least for today, he'd managed to keep his job. But best of all, he'd been able to rescue those little kids from an awful fate. That was the best thing of all.

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Vincent ascended the spiral staircase of the old abandoned library, his keen senses alert for any signs of the presence of others. When he finally reached the top of the staircase, Vincent emerged into a large room filled with ancient books and manuscripts, illuminated by the soft glow of candles.

It was here that Vincent found a place refuge in the world above, and the best part was it was a place where he could lose himself in the knowledge and wisdom of the ages. The library laid completely forgotten and so it was hidden from the world, known only to a select few who shared Vincent's desire for solitude and contemplation.

While Vincent was perusing through the stacks of books, he heard a faint rustling sound, even as a familiar presence flooded his being. He turned with a smile to see Catherine standing close by, her form illuminated by the light of the candles.

"Vincent," she said softly, her voice echoing in the quiet of the library. "I went Below looking for you, and Mouse told me where you were."

"But I've yet to tell anyone Below about this place yet," Vincent mused.

"I guess he must have followed you here," Catherine supplied.

Vincent nodded, knowing she was right in her speculation about Mouse.

"So are you going to show me around this... breathtaking place, Vincent, or what?"

With a smile, he picked up his lantern, and after Catherine's hand, Vincent guided into the sanctuary of the old library.

 
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Sebastian sat at his desk, surrounded by paperwork and case files. It had been case after case after case lately, and he had gotten a little too bad in this aspect of the job. Thankfully, things were a little slower, and he had time to get things all caught up.

Suddenly, he heard a knock at the door, and he looked up. Pride was standing in the doorway, with a curious expression on his face.

"Hey, Sebastian," Pride said. "I think I've found something interesting when I was going over the surveillance footage from our last case. It looks like the suspect was wearing a shirt with stripes."

Hearing this piqued Sebastian's interest, "What kind of stripes?" he asked.

"Vertical stripes," Pride replied. "Thin, navy blue and white stripes."

Sebastian pulled up the surveillance footage on his computer and studied it closely.

"You're right. He is wearing stripes. And you know what? I am pretty sure I've seen a shirt like that one before. Just let me check something."

Pride nodded and waited.

Sebastian pulled up a website on his computer and started searching for the shirt. After a few minutes, he found a match.

"Aha, I knew it," Sebastian said a triumphant smirk on his face. He pointed to his computer screen, "See? It's a popular brand among college students. They've got a store in the French Quarter."

Pride nodded, "Good work, Sebastian. Let's go pay them a visit, and see if they can't help us ID our suspect."

The visit to the store was not a waste of time. Once they identified themselves as federal agents, the store's employees were only too happy to help. They gave them the information they needed to track the man down, and arrest him.

"Nice work, Sebastian," Pride said, as they headed back to their office, "You've got a sharp eye for detail, and a good memory, two things very helpful in this job."

Sebastian smiled. "Thanks, boss. I guess you could say the stripes gave him away."
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When Tony had just snapped his fingers and defeated Thanos once and for all, he knew exactly what the cost to him would be. He knew there was no possibility of surviving the power of the Infinity Stones, and they would leave him fatally wounded. As he began to fade away, he could feel his consciousness drifting until he found himself in a strange and ethereal realm.

He stood on an endless plane that glowed in shades of red and pink. Where was he? Was this Heaven? Or was this Hell? He didn't know, and he had nothing to base any sort of conclusion on. As he looked around, he saw a single stone floating in the distance. When he started to walk towards it, he felt another presence nearby. As he turned, he saw a familiar figure standing before him.

It was Ho Yinsen, the man who had sacrificed his own life to help Tony escape captivity in Afghanistan all those years ago. At seeing the other man, Tony felt a flood of emotions - among them, immense gratitude.

A warm, welcoming smile was on Yinsen's face when he said, "Hello, Stark. It's good to see you again."

Tony was at a loss for words, "Yinsen... you're so how am I seeing you now? How is this possible?"

Yinsen did not speak, waiting patiently while Tony figured things out for himself.

"I'm dead aren't I?" Tony said suddenly, "I'm dead, and this is some sort of afterlife?"

"No, you are not dead, not yet anyway," Yinsen told him, "Your life is hanging by a thread. What is the last thing you remember before waking up here, and see me?"

"Thanos. I remember he had the Stones, and I fought he for them to keep him from snapping his fingers. He threw me away like I didn't weigh any more than Morgan's favorite toy dog and then I...I remember that I snapped my fingers."

Yinsen nodded, "Yes, you welded the Infinity Stones, and with their the power you saved the universe. And in doing so, you will pay a heavy price. Your physical body is dying, but your spirit as always is still strong and determine. That's why you're here."

Tony looked around where they were, and then he looked to Yinsen, trying to understand. "Where are we? What is this place?"

Yinsen smiled once more and gestured, "This place is the Soul Realm generated by the Soul Stone. It is a place where those who sacrifice themselves or are sacrificed by another in order to obtain the Soul Stone go."

"But I already had the Soul Stone. I wasn't... wait she sacrificed herself to get the Stone. Does that mean this is where Natasha is? Is this where she went after she... she..." He could not finish the question as he remembered Clint's account of what had happened in Vormir. He'd been heartbroken by her death, as had they, and their heartbreak had been the reason they'd gone forward with their plan.

Yinsen gave a solemn nod, "Yes, this is where Natasha Romanoff went when after she made her sacrifice for the Soul Stone. However, this place is not the final destination. She was here for a little while, but her spirit has moved on to a different plane of existence."

Tony was quiet for a moment, thinking about Natasha and all the sacrifices that had been made to bring this moment into being. Finally he asked, "So what now? What happens to me?"

"You have a choice to make, Stark," Yinsen said.

"A choice? What kind of choice?"

"One where you can stay here for a little while then move on as Natasha did when you're ready. Or, you can go back. You can return to the world of the living and finish what you started."

Tony thinks of Pepper and Morgan instantly, and about how he wants to be with them. He also thinks about the kid... Peter, how he had literally just gotten him back, and how he doesn't want to leave him again so soon. Rhodey, they'd been brothers for almost forty years. Did he want to leave him right now? And what about Happy? He is pretty sure Happy would have a hard time dealing with his death if Tony made the choice to move on.

"I have to go back," Tony said finally, "I have to finish what I started."

Yinsen nodded, "I thought you might say that. But remember, Stark, the path ahead is not an easy one. You were gravelly wounded by the Infinity Stones. The road ahead of you is a long and very painful one."

"As long and painful as leaving everyone I love behind?" Tony countered.

"Point well taken. They will give you strength for the road again. Just remember to swallow your pride once in awhile and let them help you when it feels like it is too much to take.

"I will," Tony nodded, feeling a newfound determination. "Thank you, Yinsen. Thank you for everything."

Yinsen smiled again. "Well, this is goodbye for now. Stark. Remember I'll be watching."

"So we'll see each other again?"

"Yes, when the time comes for you to move on."

And with that, Tony felt his consciousness returning to his physical body. He opened his eyes and found himself lying on the ground, surrounded by family and his friends. The road would be hard, of that he could be sure, but he was ready to face it.
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Bruce Banner had always been different from other people. He had never been interested in either power or dominance, but rather in compassion and empathy. He was a scientist by profession, but it was his kindness and gentleness that truly set him apart.

One day, while on a research trip to a small village in a remote part of South America, Bruce was approached by the father of a little girl who was sick. He explained to him that since their village was so remote, they had no access to a doctor, and his wife was at her wit's end at how to help their little girl. After Bruce agreed to help them, her father told him his daughter's name was Maria as he led Bruce to his family's home.

Maria was her lying in bed, looking weak and feverish. Sitting down beside her, Bruce began to talk to her in a gentle and calming voice.

"Hi there, Maria. My name is Bruce. I heard that you're not feeling well. Is that right?"

The little girl nodded, "I don't feel good."

"I think I can help with that but first I need to take your temperature and ask your mother so questions. Okay?"

"Okay," Maria said.

After putting on some gloves, Bruce took out a thermometer from his bag, "Okay, sweetie, I need to stick this under your tongue. It needs to stay there for a few minutes."

Maria opened her mouth, and allowed him to put the thermometer under her tongue.

"Okay, Maria, close your mouth please. I'm going to watch the time, and I'll let you know when it's time to take it out. Okay?"

She nodded again.

While they waited for the right time to take out the thermometer, Bruce turned around and said hello to the little girl's mother. He then asked her a series of questions about how long Maria had been sick, and what her symptoms were. When he finished, it was time to take the thermometer out.

Bruce felt all of their eyes, especially Maria's parents' eyes on him as he read the numbers there. He looked at Maria, "Well, sweetie, you've definitely got a fever, but the good news is, it's not too high and I have some medicine with me that will help bring it down. The only thing is, I have to warn you, the medicine doesn't taste all that great."

Maria made a face at hearing this.

"I know, I know, but I promise you, Maria, it's going to help you feel all better," he said, while taking it out of his bag, and getting the dose ready. "Can you sit up for me, Maria?"

Maria nodded, and tried to sit up, but soon it was obvious the little girl was too weak. Her mother started to come over to help her, and Bruce told her, "I've got this." She stayed back as he helped the girl sit up, and then he picked up the small cup again.

"Ready?" Bruce asked.

"Yes," said the little girl.

"Okay, on the count of three. One... two... three." He put the cup to the girl's lips, and Maria took it into her mouth.

She swallowed it without spitting it out, although she did make a face, "That was yucky!"

"I know, sweetie, and I'm sorry. But like I said, it's going to help you get better soon. Ready to lay back down?"

"Yeah," she said.

After Maria was settled back down, and it was obvious she wasn't going to go to sleep, and her parents approved, Bruce decided to stay with her awhile. Bruce asked her about her favorite things to do and about the games she liked to play. Maria also told him about her dolls and how they went on grand adventures together all over her hometown.

Bruce smiled as he listened to the little gir.l He'd only been in their family's home for about an hour, but he could tell the little girl was already seeing him as a new friend.

After a little while longer, Maria started to yawn, and Bruce insisted she tried to get some rest now. Once she was settled in the bed, Bruce handed the medicine to her mother, and gave her instructions on how to give it to Maria. He looked over to see the child asleep so, he said a quiet goodbye to the parents, and was about to leave when the little girl called out.

"Bruce?"

He stopped at the door, and looked at her, "Yes?"

"Don't go!"

Bruce smiled at her, "But I need to, sweetie. You need your rest, and there are some other little boys and girls who need me to check up on them. But I'll come back in the morning to check up on you, and we'll talk some more, maybe play a game if you're feeling like it. Okay?"

Maria yawned again, and nodded, "Okay." Her eyes closed, and she was asleep.

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Betty placed the last bowl on the table and turned to see her husband watching the sun go down over the ocean. It still felt surreal to her that Bruce, her husband of nearly two weeks now, was here with her in this beautiful place. He stood with his hands on his hips, his shirt fluttering in the breeze, and she couldn't recall a time when she'd seen him more relaxed - not even before the accident that had turned him into the Hulk.

She watched him another moment, and then called out, "Bruce, dinner's ready."

Bruce immediately turned his back to the endless, beautiful turquoise waters that stretched out to the horizon, and walked over to the patio where his wife was waiting for him to join her.

On the small table, Betty had finished laying out the last of the leftovers from the last two nights. Before them were succulent grilled lobster tails accompanied by butter and a mixture of roasted asparagus, zucchini, and red peppers.

As they savored each bite of their delicious meal, Betty couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness knowing that this was their last night on the island. When she'd first arrived, she'd felt so out of place and alone here since she was the only person on the island who didn't have someone special with her. On the morning she had been about to leave to return home, Bruce had arrived.
 
Since then one thing had led to another, including Bruce asking her to marry him, and his friends... no their friends had talked them into getting married on the island. It had been such a magical and unforgettable experience one she knew she would always treasure.
 
She looked over at Bruce, who seemed to be lost in thought, and asked, "What are you thinking about?"
 
Bruce looked up, and a small smile played at the corners of his mouth. "I'm just thinking about how lucky we are to have had this time together. It's been so incredible, and I'm so grateful that Tony didn't give up on his attempts to get us to get married here on this beautiful island of his."
 
Betty felt a lump form in her throat, and she blinked back tears. "Me too, Bruce. This has been the most amazing honeymoon, and I don't want it to end."
 
Bruce reached over and took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Don't worry, Betty. We'll always have the memories of our special days here to cherish. And knowing Tony, we'll be able to come back here anytime that we want to."
 
Betty nodded, knowing that although she didn't know Tony as well as her husband, he was right about the other man. So they continued to enjoy their meal in peaceful silence, watching the sun set over the ocean.
 
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Before he left to return the Infinity Stones to their proper places in the past, Steve had already decided to remain there and have the life he'd longed to have ever since he'd woken up seventy years in the future. 

When he'd see Peggy in 1970 during the Time Heist, she'd looked older of course but she had been as beautiful as he had remembered her. He had wanted to make his presence known in her office so much that it had almost hurt physically.

However, things didn't exactly go as he thought they would when he arrived in the 1950's. For one thing, he found that she was already a high ranking member of SHIELD, having helped Howard and now General Phillips found the agency. But more to the point, Peggy had moved on from him, and she had made a life for herself.

Steve had found where she lived, and since she had some visitors, he'd waited to reveal himself to her when he was certain Peggy would be alone. The day finally came when he was sure no one else was in the house but her, and he decided the best approach would be to simply knock on her front door. So he walked up to the door, and knocked on it.

"Just a moment!" her voice called out from within.

While he waited, he tried not to draw attention to himself by looking around, yet he knew the longer he was on her doorstep, the more of a chance he'd be recognized. Still, all he could do was wait for the door to open, and when it did, there was a gun pointed directly at his face.

"You've got five seconds to explain to me why I shouldn't blow your head off!" She said, a hard look on her face.

Steve looked into her eyes, and said, "Peggy, it's me. It's Steve."

"Steve Rogers was lost almost twelve years. Try again, and make it quick," she countered.

"Okay, how about I tell you something that only you and I know?" Steve suggested.

Peggy's eyes narrowed as she considered what he'd said. "Fine, one thing. But make it quick, and know this is your one chance to convince me," she said, lowering her gun slightly.

Steve takes a deep breath, "I still owe you that dance, Peggy," he said softly, his eyes locking with hers.

Peggy's eyes widened then softened a fraction, "Steve?" she whispered.

Steve nodded, "It's really me, Peggy," 

Tears welled up in Peggy's eyes, and she threw herself into Steve's arms. "How? How is this possible? After the plane went down, they told me they couldn't find any trace of it or of you!" she said, her voice muffled against his chest.

Steve held her tight, savoring the feeling of holding her again, his own tears threatening to spill over. "It's a long story, but I'm here now, Peggy. And I'm not going anywhere," he whispered, his voice choked with emotion
After a few seconds, Peggy pulled away and at his surprised look she said, "Let's take this inside, shall we, before everyone in the neighborhood takes notice."

Steve followed Peggy inside, and as they walked through the small but cozy house, Steve couldn't help but notice the pictures on the walls along with the knick-knacks on the shelves. Each and every one of them were a testament that Peggy had made a full life for herself in the years since he'd last seen her.

"Steve," Peggy said, drawing him out of his thoughts over to where she was sitting on a sofa by a fireplace, "I never expected to see you again for as long as I lived and I... I need you to tell me how it's possible you're here now."

With a nod, he crossed the room, and he sat down on the sofa beside her, "This is a long story..."

"Go on. I've got the time," Peggy confirmed.

Steve nodded, and began to tell her a version of what happened to him after the last time they spoke to each other in 1945. Although he told many details about his life in the future, he left out the fact he'd known and lost her as an old woman, He was also vague about the details of how they had pulled off the Time Heist, and how he was able to travel back in time. When he finished, the reaction Peggy gave to his story was not the one Steve had not expected.

Anger filled her eyes, and second later, her palm met forcefully with his cheek, "You never let me go! How dare you!" she shouted.

Steve stared at her in shock, raising one of his own hands to the cheek she'd slapped hard enough to actually leave a sting!

Peggy's voice was filled with disappointment as she went on, "Steve, I can't believe you would do something like this. from what you told me, you clearly knew that I moved on with my life. You knew I found love again with a wonderful man, and that I had a family with him! You knew I had made a new life with Danie," she said, her voice quivering with emotion. 

Steve hung his head, realizing the extent of the pain he had caused, "I'm sorry I never meant to undermine the life you built, Peggy. I guess I blinded by my own desires and being so alone in the future. I didn't stop to think this all the way through."

Peggy's eyes welled up with tears, "Steve, you have no idea how hard it was for me after I lost you.Your death hurt me for a long time but I knew I couldn't wallow in my grief forever. I knew I had to find a way to move forward, to create a life for myself. And I did. I found happiness with Daniel, and we have a family together."

Steve nodded, his own eyes glistening with unshed tears because he knows now for certain he will never have any kind of future with her. The door on the life they might have had is forever closed and locked up tight behind them. He knows there is only one thing he can do now if he truly loves her, and that's to wish her well before he finally lets her go.

"You deserve that happiness, Peggy, and I am glad that you found it. Your husband must be a special man."

"He is. Daniel truly is. From the moment we met, he tried to always treat me with respect, and he wanted to be a friend to me at a time when I was alone."

So, they had started out as friends. That's good. That's very good since that's the way so many of the best relationships, the best marriages began. If that were true, and Steve knows that it is, he also knows there is nothing else for him to do but bow out of this as gracefully as he can, and live her life forever.

But there's just one more thing he needs and wants to do before he does that. Steve looked up at Peggy, "You're right, Peggy. I should have never come back without considering the life you've built for yourself. I apologize from the bottom of my heart."

Peggy nodded, her anger subsiding slightly. "I understand why you did what you did, Steve. But it doesn't change the fact that you hurt me deeply."

"I know, and I'm sorry. Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?" Steve asked, feeling the weight of his mistake heavy on his shoulders.

Peggy thought for a moment then she smiled, "Actually, there is something you can do."

"What is it?" Steve asked eagerly.

"You promised me a dance, Steve. All those years ago, and I never got it," Peggy said, her eyes softening.

Steve smiled back at her. "I did, didn't I?"

 "Well, Captain, I'm waiting. Are you going to make good on that promise?"

Steve stood up, taking Peggy's hand in his. "I wouldn't dream of breaking a promise to you, Peggy." Peggy turned on the radio, and then took his hand.

They moved to the center of the room, and Steve took Peggy in his arms. The music playing in the background was soft, and they swayed together in perfect harmony, lost in the moment. For those few minutes, both the past and the future didn't exist, and just lived in the present, together.

As the song ended, Steve looked down at Peggy and smiled as much as he could under the circumstances. "Thank you for this dance, Peggy."

Peggy smiled back at him, a hint of sadness in her eyes, "It was lovely, Steve. But I think it's time for you to go now."

Steve nodded, since he knows that he couldn't stay in the past any longer. He gave Peggy one last hug and had turned to leave, but she stopped him.

"Steve, wait," Peggy said, and he turned back to face her.

"I just wanted you to know that I will always love you and I'll always cherish the time we had together, even if it wasn't as much as we wanted. And I hope you find happiness and someone of your own. Stop mourning what you lost, Steve, and move on," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Steve smiled at her, feeling a sense of peace settle over him. "I will. And I will always love you too, Peggy."

With one last look, Steve walked out the door and back to his own time, ready to start a new chapter in his life. But he would always remember the dance he shared with Peggy, and the love they had for each other, even if it could never be again.
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Almost from the moment they met, Fitz and Simmons were always a dynamic duo, whether they were working on new tech or fighting off the latest Hydra threat. Each and every ordeal or trial they had came through since joining Coulson's team made them all the more stronger when it was over.

Then one day, during an assignment that was supposed to be simple, they found themselves in a dire situation. They were trapped in a Hydra base, surrounded by enemies, and they had no way out. Fitz came to quickly realize the gravity of the situation, and he was beginning to doubt their chance of surviving this.

When Simmons could see the worry as well as the fear he was trying to hide etched on Fitz's face, she knew she had to do something to boost his spirits. "Fitz," she said, and placed a hand on his shoulder, "Remember what May is always telling us. Courage is like a muscle. We strengthen it by use."

Fitz gave her a skeptical look. "That's easy for May to say. She's bloody trained agent after all. Me... you... the two of us are just bloody scientists!"

Simmons shook her head. "That's not true, Fitz. We've been through this before. We're always facing impossible odds, and in the past we've come out on top. This is no different! We can do it again."

When Fitz gave her a look, and he could see the determination in Jemma's eyes. He knew she was right. They had to and they would find a way out of this, no matter what it took.

So they put their two heads together to come up with a distraction. The move would be risky of course, but no more so than remaining in a base full of SHIELD hating HYDRA agents!

As they put their plan into action, Fitz felt his confidence and courage growing. With every moment that went by and they were not captured, he no longer doubted their chances of survival. He kept his focus sharp on the task at hand, and he was determined to see it through.

Their plan worked, and thankfully a few hours later they walked back into their own base where they knew they were safe. As they entered the base and made their way to Coulson's office, Fitz told Simmons, "You're right, Jemma. Courage truly is like a muscle. We need to be sure to use it more in the future."

"Yes, we do because every time we use it, it'll only grow all the more stronger!" Simmons concluded with a smile.
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Tony paused a moment, inspecting his brown, straight out of the 1940's suit one more time before he placed atop of his head the finishing touch to what he had on: a vintage matching fedora.

"You're taking my breath away, Mr. Stark," Pepper said as she stepped beside him at the full length mirror.

Taking several moments to eye her own vintage dress, and with a wink he told her, "You're positively giving me heart palpitation, Mrs. Stark!"

She smiled at his compliment, and thread her hand through his offered arm she asked, "So are you ready to go to the party?" They were hosting a 40s themed costume party for Stark Industries, and they needed to arrive soon if they didn't want to be late.

Tony nodded, "Let's amscray, baby doll!"
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"The sun and water are so beautiful here!" Pepper said, as she gazed out at the pristine blue waters of Indonesia. The sun beamed down on her skin, warming her to the core of her being. The sound of waves crashing against the shore were filling the air, and the salty scent of the ocean was so pungent that she could almost taste it!

They had arrived for their honeymoon destination two days ago and since then they'd all been getting over the jet lag while enjoying a little of what the beautiful paradise had to offer.

She smiled as her husband's arms were wrapped around her from behind.

"He's going to be up soon," James murmured into her ear, "Are you ready for Cyclone Morgan this morning?"

Pepper turned around in James' embrace, wrapping her arms around his neck. "I'm glad you're feeling better this morning."

"Me too."

"So Cyclone Morgan?" she asked, her heart filling with warmth at the mention of their son's name.

James grinned. "Yeah, with me down for the count yesterday you know he's going to be keeping me busy this morning. You know how he is - always full of energy."

Pepper chuckled. "That's our little Morgan. I can't wait to spend the day with him."

Just then, a loud crash echoed from their private bungalow on the beach. James tensed, his War Machine instincts still kicking in even after all these years of retirement. "Stay here," he said, moving towards the door.

Pepper's heart raced with fear as she watched him go. "Be careful," she called after him, hoping that everything was okay. She stood there, her mind racing with worst-case scenarios, until James emerged from the bungalow with a sheepish grin on his face.

"Sorry about that," he said, holding up a broken vase. "Looks like Cyclone Morgan got into a bit of mischief while we were out."

Pepper breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that everything was okay. "It's okay," she said, smiling. "We'll just have to keep a closer eye on him from now on." Together, they both went back inside, and thankfully found Morgan where James left him, sitting on the couch.

James knelt down beside Morgan, who was now sitting on the couch. "Hey there, Cyclone. What are you up to?"

Morgan grinned up at James. "Playing with my ball," he said, holding it up for James to see.

James smiled. "Looks like fun. Did you have a good time with Mommy yesterday?"

Morgan nodded vigorously. "Uh-huh! We went swimming in the ocean and saw lots of fish."

"That sounds amazing," James said, ruffling Morgan's hair. "I wish I could have been there with you."

Morgan's face fell for a moment, but then he brightened up again. "But you're here now!" he exclaimed, throwing his arms around James' neck. "I'm so happy you're my daddy."

James' heart swelled with love for his son. "I'm happy too, buddy. And I promise we'll have lots of fun together while we're here."

Morgan beamed up at him. "Can we play catch on the beach later, Daddy?"

"Well, I can't think of a reason why we shouldn't, buddy! But what do you say we get the little mess you made cleaned up, and then have some breakfast Sound good?"

"Yeah!"

"Okay, let's get cracking!"
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It's been a few years since Tony and Pepper had married each other, and needless to say, they were still very much in love. They had been through so much together, from battling supervillains to running Stark Industries. Despite all the challenges they faced, they always managed to come out on top.

One evening, they were out on the balcony, enjoying the sights of the city below. Pepper leaned against Tony, and he wrapped in his arms around her as they also took in the sunset together.

"Pepper?" Tony said softly.

"Hmm?" Pepper murmured sleepily.

"Never let me go."

All her sleepiness vanished in an instant, and Pepper turned to look at him. When she saw the sincerity in his eyes, it both touched and frightened her.

"I won't, Tony," she replied, softly caressing his cheek. "I'll never let you go."
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Director Phil Coulson was having a busy week at SHIELD Headquarters, managing multiple operations and fielding countless phone calls from his team. He was grateful for the help of his most trusted agents, Daisy Johnson, who had been working alongside him for years. He never could have dreamed that when they found her in the back of her van tracking to hack her way deeper into SHIELD's mainframe, how much of a part of his life she'd be.

Despite the chaos of their work, Coulson always made sure to take a few moments each day to check in with Daisy and make sure she was doing okay. She'd been through so much in her life, especially with the last few years after learning the truth about her parents and discovering she was Inhuman. He knew how much pressure she was under, with her unique abilities and the weight of responsibility on her shoulders, and he always wanted to be sure she was as okay as she could be.

One day, as they were both taking a breather at the same time in the break room, Coulson noticed that Daisy looked particularly tired. He knows she's been working non-stop on one thing or another for days, and by the weary expression on her face, it was starting to take its toll.

"Hey, you okay?" he asked, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Daisy gave him a look then, shrugged. "Just a very long week, you know? And it's okay like, what, Monday? Or is it Tuesday?"

Coulson nodded, taking a seat beside her, "It's Monday. But yeah, I hear you. But you've been doing great, Daisy. You're making a real difference out there."

Daisy smiled faintly, "Thanks, sir. I appreciate it."

As even more of the week wore on, he continued to check in with Daisy, and they worked together to tackle each challenge every freak, super villain, or HYDRA presented to them. By the end of the week, they had successfully completed several missions, and Coulson knew it was time to give the team a little downtime.

"Hey, how about we grab a drink tonight?" he suggested, grinning at Daisy.

Daisy raised an eyebrow, her tone teasing when she asked, "Are you asking me out on a date, sir?"

Coulson laughed. "No, no, just a friendly drink. I think we've earned it after this week."

Daisy grinned back, "Sounds good to me."

And so, that evening, Coulson and Daisy, along with Mack and Yo-yo headed to a nearby bar to unwind and chat about their week. They laughed and shared stories, forgetting about their crazy world and work for just a little while.
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Before her Daddy died, Morgan had worn pajamas that were her favorite colors, or favorite cartoon characters, or had designs with her favorite things on them. She was a little girl who loved unicorns, fairies, and other things her mother had called whimsical. Morgan didn't know what the word whimsical meant, but she knew it was a good thing.

But after her Daddy died, Morgan still wore the same pajamas to bed each night. This did not change for the first few months after her Daddy's death, and it wouldn't change until one day when she went shopping with Mommy and Aunt Tina. As they were walking through a store, Morgan spotted something in the sleepwear department.

"Mommy, look!" Morgan said with excitement, interrupting her aunt.

Pepper gave her sister an apologetic look, then turned to her daughter and spoke in a gentle tone. "Morgan, sweetie, you interrupted Aunt Tina. It's important to be polite by waiting for your turn to speak."

Morgan looked at her aunt. "I'm sorry, Aunt Tina."

"It's okay, sweetheart," Tina said, smiling kindly at Morgan. "So what did you want to show us?"

"I just saw the neatest pajamas!" Morgan exclaimed, her face lighting up.

"Where are they?" Pepper asked.

Morgan took her hand, and led her back to the sleepwear department. They only had to backtrack a little way, and when they arrived at what she wanted to show her mother, she pointed to the pajamas. "Look at them! Can I get them, Mommy?" Displayed before the three of them was a pair of pajamas that looked like Iron Man's suit.

Tina looked at her older sister, and when she saw the tears in her eyes, she wrapped an arm around her shoulders. In the meantime, Pepper took a quick deep breath and nodded, "Of course you can have them, sweetie."

Morgan squealed with excitement.

Pepper smiled through her tears, happy to see her daughter excited again. "Okay, you need to try them on before we buy them." She took Morgan's hand and guided her towards the changing room.

While Morgan tried on the Iron Man pajamas, Pepper and Tina sat outside the changing room and talked quietly as they waited. Pepper opened up about how difficult it had been to help Morgan cope with her father's death while at the same time she was trying to deal with her own grief. "I just want to make sure she's happy," she concluded.

Tina gave her sister a sympathetic smile. "I know it's tough, Ginny, but you're doing a great job. Morgan is such a wonderful little girl." she said. "And those pajamas are sure to bring a smile to her face."

Pepper nodded, so grateful for her sister's support again. A few moments later, Morgan came out from the changing room, a great big grin.

"Look, Mommy, I'm a superhero!" Morgan said, striking a pose, "Just like my Daddy!"

Pepper laughed despite how much her heart was aching and hugged her daughter tightly. "Yes, you are, my little superhero," she said, feeling a sense of hope and joy in her heart for the first time since Tony's death.
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T'Challa had just returned from his journey to the ancestral planes, where he had met his father, T'Chaka. He was sitting in his private chambers, staring at art images that represented both Bast and Sekhmet.

"Baba, you know I am not like Shuri, who scoffs at many of our traditional ways. I must admit that for the longest time, I did not truly believe that we are embraced by Bast after we die and we live on on the ancestral plane after we live life here. But now that I have seen you, I know it is, and we do live on. You live on!" T'Challa said out loud, speaking to the empty room.

A voice answered him, but not that of his father. Instead, the voice was that of his mother, Ramonda. "But of course he does, my son," she said, stepping out from the shadows. "Do you think that the bond between parent and child ever truly ends when death claims one of them?"

"Mother, I did not hear you come in," he said, standing up to greet her.

Ramonda gave him a warm smile, "I came to see how you were doing, after your journey to the ancestral planes," she said. "It makes me happy to see that you are in good spirits."

T'Challa returned her smile, "I am more than just in good spirits, Mother. I am overjoyed. I cannot express the relief I feel now that I know that Baba has not passed into nothing and that he lives on."

Ramonda nodded, understanding the depth of her son's emotions. "Your father was a great man, T'Challa. And he is not only to be found on the ancestral plane now but..." She laid her hand over his heart, "He is also here in your heart. For always. He is always with you, my son. You have only to look there if you are in need of him."

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