The worst thing about Tony dying in Endgame
Is that we don’t get to see him as the father figure for everyone
Not just to Peter, Harley, and Morgan
But for literally everyone
Because that’s kind of what Tony’s become over the years
It’s just natural for him now
To take people in and take care of them
Nebula understands it just in the short time she and Stark spend out in space together
How he worked with her and played games with her
How he didn’t yell or hurt her or blame her for anything
Just in that short while he becomes the father she never had
And she just ends up adoring him
Every time the Guardians make a trip to earth she *casually* visits Tony
Spends time with him in his workshop
He teaches her about earth tech and how to fix up the old Iron Man suits
And instead of constantly asking for better and being disappointed in her as Thanos always was
Tony guides her gently, talks to her about life, spends quality time with her
Nebula would never admit how much she cares for and depends on Tony
She even threatens to cut off Rocket’s tail if he were to ever mention the time he walked in on her and Tony having a particularly deep heart to heart while fixing an old car engine
Rocket just prays Nebula won’t figure out he told Quill from how many extra trips they’ve been making to earth recently
It takes Wanda awhile to warm up to Tony after Civil War
But she finally realizes he was just doing his best in trying to protect her and the team
And it was hard for him to juggle everything at one time
She starts staying at the compound again so they start seeing each other often
She helps babysit Morgan sometimes and they become really close
One day she mentions this old fountain that had been down the street from her childhood home that she used to throw coins in to make wishes
The next day an exact replica of it has been installed on the lawn of the compound
She tells Tony she doesn’t know how to thank him
He tells her she doesn’t have to
Tony becomes the only person that asks her about Pietro and genuinely listens to her talk about him and her memories of them together and what it was like losing him
He does the same with T’challa and Shuri when it comes to their father
And while all three of them know he could never EVER compare to their dad
T’challa still feels comfort knowing there’s someone he can go to, to ask for advice
And Shuri loves hearing someone say how impressed of her inventions and how proud of her they are
Steve starts thinking about the fact that just because he’s been alive for a hundred years does not mean he’s actually aged or matured that much
He stops looking down on Tony
And even stops looking at him as his equal
He starts looking up to him as someone to talk to and ask advice from
He starts baring his soul to Tony
And when he expects snarky remarks and sarcasm in response
Tony only meets it with encouragement and kindness, somehow always saying exactly what Steve needs to hear
When Bucky doesn’t know how to restart his life
Tony casually sets up different jobs for him around the compound and even at shield
Taking note of which ones he enjoys the most so he can find the perfect life for him
And even, like Fury did for Barton, makes sure he has a living space that suites him exactly
Thor finds that after Odin is gone, Tony is one of the few people he genuinely enjoys talking to about his triumphs in life and Asgard and how fond he is of his people and how he hopes he made the right decision with leaving them to Valkyrie
He knows it’s what Thor needs
And it’s been a long time since he’s been able to do that with someone
He’s so nice to Mantis everytime he sees her
Laughs at Drax’s jokes even when they aren’t funny
Spends time with Rocket even when he’s trying to be the asshole that pushes everyone away
Helps Scott with projects whenever he needs it
Makes sure everyone stays connected with Coulson after finding out he’s alive
Makes it to all of Peter’s debate meets and band recitals
All of Harley’s special events too
When one of the Guardians spills all of the details about Quill’s dad, Tony even starts spending more time with him and helps him try to find Gamora
Pretty soon the avengers compound is one giant house
Everyone loves coming back because everyone loves being around each other
They all feel safe and at home around him
And it’s because he takes care of them all
