Archive of Our Own ^beta

Sharon Carter doesn't know what to do. If you know her you would know that sentence doesn't really make sense because Sharon Carter has never once, in her 35 years of life been unsure of herself, she knows what she wants and how to get through anyone she needs to in order get it, but today is different. Her aunt Peggy was recently moved to an old folks home because her dementia got the best of her, it's coming up on the 30 year anniversary of her parents death and she doesn't know who to talk to. That is how she ended up at Stark Tower, or Avengers tower if she isn't misinformed.

She is currently sitting in Tony's office, their security is seriously lacking, it took her like 8 minutes to sneak in. She is looking at his desk, it is messy, but he's Tony Stark that's to be expected. There are a couple of pictures, one of the Stark family Christmas party 1990. It was the last Christmas party when everyone was together. Maria and Howard were alive, Peggy and Daniels kids hadn't move to Europe and everyone was happy. It was a rare moment of bliss in Tony and Sharon's lives. She thought of the day fondly, as she knew Tony did as well. The second is from Aunt Peg and Uncle Dan's wedding. Maria, Ana and one of Aunt Peggy's S.H.I.E.L.D friends were wearing matching bridesmaid dresses, Howard, Edward and Daniel's brother were the groomsmen and had matching tuxedos, Peggy was in the most gorgeous white dress Sharon had ever seen, Daniel had a very handsome tuxedo with a pocket square the exact shate of Aunt Pegs signature lipstick, Sharon was standing in front with Tony, she had a purple flower girl dress the same shade as the bridesmaid dresses and Tony had a suit the matched the groomsmen besides purple accents that matched Sharon's dress. They were in front of the giant wedding cake that Sharon and Tony smashed into Peggy and Daniel's faces about five minutes after the photo was taken. She had always loved that photo, it was in the locket she wore whenever she went out, it was framed on her living room coffee table at home and on the bedside table of her S.H.I.E.L.D bunk. Sharon has been in the office for about 20 minutes when Tony shows up.

"Share?" He asks. The second she hears his voice, the voice she had found comfort in so many times before, when her parents died, when her best friend was diagnosed with cancer, when aunt Peggy began to call her by her mother's name, the second she hears that voice she breaks down. Tony immediately rushes over to her.
"Share, share, what's wrong? Are you okay, did something happen?"
"I-I went to visit Aunt Peg today and she called me Am-Amanda and she asked where Harrison was and I nearly broke down right in front of her. Everyone's telling me to stay strong and uncle Dan is telling me to take it one day at a time and talk to him whenever I need to but I can hear the pain in his voice everytime someone tells him something about her or her condition. It's so hard, and it's nearly been 30 years Tones, 30 years since my parents died." She says, crying a tissue he'd given her.
"I get it, it's hard but we have to power through. If not for us at least for Aunt Peg and Uncle Dan. They deserve this much, after all those years." He told her

"But you don't Tones, you don't get how it feels for her to be calling you your dead parents name." She says

"She calls me Howard more than she calls me Anthony nowadays. I can hardly bring myself to visit." He says, tears glistening in his eyes. She looks up at him,

"I'm sorry Tones, I didn't know."

"What do you say to getting out of here and getting some burgers?" Tony asks

"Nah, I should be getting back. Message me later though. I love you Tones, also message Dan, he's worried about you."

"I'll give him a call. I love you more Share-Bear."

They smile sadly at each other. She walks out. He slumps down into his chair and picks up the photo from the Christmas party,

"I miss you" He muttered to the smiling people in the photo.