19 Resolve

Allen POV

The first thing he noticed was the warm humming of the Time Stone within his chest. The second thing he noticed was a faint beeping sound along with soft speaking. The third thing he noticed was the aching pain running through his body, forcing him to wince and open his eyes only to be blinded by a bright white light. His body tensed and he let out a panicked whimper. Where is he? what is happening?

"Shhh, everything is alright Allen," he can hear a familiar voice.

"Dad?" He asked, his eyes beginning to adjust to the light. "Where am I?"

"We're at the hospital" Tony's large hands rested on his head. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm ok…" he mumbles, pushing down the pain from his body.

"Are you sure?" Tony's worried tone carried over and pierced his guilty conscience.

"I'm a little thirsty…" he admits.

"Of course," Tony grabs him a glass of water and helps him up. "Is there anything else?"

"It… It hurts all over…" he admits again.

"We'll get the doctor to check over that ok? And maybe get some medicine to help with the pain."

"That'll be nice", he nods. Suddenly a flood of memories rushed in, "Bella! What about Bella and the other kids?" He makes an effort to stand up.

Large hands pushed him back down into the bed and his tired body quickly gave in.

"They are mostly fine Allen." The Ancient One walks in.

"Master!" He exclaims, "What about Bella? And Cindy and Alex and Marcus and Lois and -"

"I must admit, I do not know of all the children's names, but from what I am aware of, out of all the names you have listed, Bella and Lois have passed on. Their parents have been informed and preparations for their burials are being made."

Allen's heart dropped. Kind Bella, who acted like an older sister, who helped him settle in, who was so brave and so loving. Dead. And Lois. He was the same age as Allen, so cowardly, always hiding in the corner but somehow the first to share all his food.

Allen can feel something lodging in his throat, causing him to choke a sob. His dad's gentle hands rubbing circles on his back, only causes him to cry harder. Desperately his tries to push it down but he can't stop, sobs beginning to turn into hiccups and he can't breathe.

"My fault" he says between sobs. "All my fault."

"Hey don't say that", Tony cuts in.

Allen shakes his head. "I could've saved them. I had the power. I could've escaped earlier before they'd-" a hiccup, "died. I'm sorry, I'm sorry master I grew so complacent, I'm sorry Da- Tony I'm so weak, I know I shouldn't cry, you don't want me no more right? Please don't abandon me- I'll be useful. I'll try my best so-"

Tony's hands gripped onto Allen's shoulder shaking him from his outburst. Tony looked so mad. Because of him. He made him mad. But he can also see tears forming and a rim of red, is he sad? Did he make Tony sad?

"Hey, Allen, Look. You're my kid no matter what and I will be there for you. I promise."

He's heard this before. In a fleeting memory years ago. The time stone humming in his chest.

"I'm not going to abandon you ever," Tony began, "You don't need to be useful, heck you can just lay around and play all day and I won't love you any less. You don't need to be anything to be loved Allen. You just need to be yourself."

"You're not gonna abandon me?"

"Never"

"Even if I don't bring anything"

"Even if you don't bring anything"

"Even if I make mistakes?"

"Mistakes are allowed I'll never love you any less"

"…you want me?"

"Of course- if you'll have me as your father."

"Oh. Ok." Allen relaxed.

Tony's grip on Allen lessened and pulled Allen into a hug. His hands running through Allen's hair. "I love you" He let out a wet chuckle when he feels his shirt getting wetter. "Thank you for being born." Tony can feel Allen's arms around him tightening at those words but he didn't mind it. It's his kid after all.

"Master!" Allen's head shot up. "I- ah- " his face red.

"I must say, that was an admirable display of parental love." The Ancient One smiled. "I am very happy for you Allen."

Allen's cheeks reddened even further.

"Now," she continued, "what did you say about being complacent?" Her eyes darkening.

"I-" Allen scrambled, "I didn't practice that hard and I- I forgot to ask dad about training and I…"

The Ancient One sighs. "I hold high expectations of you Allen."

Allen's shoulders dropped in shame while Tony hovers over Allen protectively, glaring at The Ancient One.

"However, I am fully aware of your circumstances. It is ok to rest. It is ok to be a child. It is not ok to slack on your training. Mistakes are allowed Allen and it is our job as your guardians to guide you."

"Msorry Master"

"You are forgiven, and I too must apologise." She bent down to his level. "I am sorry Allen, that I took so long to find you."

"Oh, issok" he mumbles. The feeling so foreign.

"Um so… sorry to cut in but what took you so long? No offence" Tony says.

"Our society had been busy battling with beings of other dimensions and unfortunately my presence was required elsewhere. After noticing the lack of stone within my possession I made a haste decision and went to you, Mister Stark, assuming Allen would be with you, instead of directly to Allen himself. I am sorry Allen." The Ancient One explains.

Tony scratches his head, "I'm glad that I got to be there when finding Allen, but I'm pissed that you took so long." Then a small mumble, "not that I have a say in it."

"It's ok Master, I- I um… I forgive you." He managed to say.

"Thank you Allen, I expect to see you once you are fully healed and ready to continue in your studies. I shall make arrangements with your father later." And without delay she portaled off not before dropping a sling ring into his palms.

Father and son duo looked at each other and let out a chuckle.

"How'd you meet Master?"

"She portaled right into my workshop scared the sh- heck outta me," Tony grinned.

"Did she explain everything to you?"

"Yup"

"So you know I have-"

"Yup"

"You don't think it's weird"

"What do you mean weird? I think it's so cool mini Merlin" He ruffles Allen's hair.

"So you know about the time stone?"

"Other than the fact that it is holds the power to literally do anything and that your it's chosen wielder I don't know anything. The Ancient One told me that you'll show off your powers to me later, you think your up for that?"

"Really? Of course I can make portals too yknow"

"Whaaat that's so cool, Dyou think you can portal me to New Zealand right now, I think we both deserve a holiday"

Allen let out a chuckle, "I dunno about the legalities with that but yeah." He shows off the golden sling ring.

Tony eagerly analysed the artifact and let out appropriate oohs and ahhs as Allen explains the uses and theories to Tony.

Allen hadn't felt so loved before. Then a resolution was made.

"Dad". He called out.

Tony turned his attention to Allen, "yeah?"

"When I was held captive. I felt so weak and helpless." He fiddled with his fingers. "I hated it. I hated how helpless I felt and I- " I looks up right at Tony, "I want to be a doctor, I want to help kids that are sick, I want to save people."

He mentally prepared himself for any signs of rejection. A scoff, a 'you can't do that'.

"I'm sure you'll be the greatest doctor there is Allen." Tony says voice strong and steady and so full of trust.

"You think so?" Allen whispers.

"I know so." Tony replies.