Disclaimer: I don't own Marvel, in case you haven't guessed.
Author's Note: Okay, here we go. This story is not spoiler-free. I repeat, this is not spoiler-free.
I was sad when Endgame finished. And by sad, I mean I was sobbing. I don't think I was alone, either. Everyone in our theater lost it.
Tony and Peter offer one of my favorite character dynamics of all time. I couldn't bring myself to accept that it might really be over.
Please enjoy the story. Drop a suggestion if you have something to add!
Chapter One: Radioactive
He didn't see Mr. Stark swipe the Infinity Gauntlet. But he felt that white-hot flash rush over the battlefield, its heat soaking into every exposed surface.
A flood of panic coursed through him, pushing him towards a cold sweat. He squeezed his eyes shut, remembering the snap that had made him feel empty and broken.
There was a memory there, pulsing and real and awful. He couldn't quite put his finger on what happened next, only that he had been rushed to the battle soon after.
His stomach churned, and he glanced at his hands, waiting for the accompanying nausea. When it came, he stumbled to the ground, his hand clamping across his mouth. Don't barf, please, he begged himself, the acidic bile at the back of his throat burning as it rose.
When he steadied himself enough to sit up, his gaze spun with splotches of red and grey. Dust crumbled before him, covering the ground with puddles of ash. It fell through the arm that he'd arranged to shield his face, pushing its way into his eye. He rubbed it out as quickly as he could, his contact blurring.
His vision solidified, revealing the battered figure of Tony Stark. The man groaned, his hands trembling.
"Mr. Stark?" he called, only half-expecting an answer. "Are you okay?"
Half his face was charred and flaking off in pieces, like sparks flying from a burning log. He blinked, staring past Peter.
Someone clambered behind him, and he instinctively moved toward Tony.
"Please," he got out hesitantly. "Mr. Stark, you're going to be okay. You have to, I—" His throat burned as he reached out to him, holding him as he had held Peter what had seemed mere minutes ago.
Pepper touched his shoulder. "It's okay," she said to him. Turning to Tony, she cleared her throat. "You did so well. You really did."
Peter felt himself stagger backward, his nails digging into the side of his face. Fear pulsed through him, leaving him dizzied and unsteady.
He coughed harshly into his hand, trying to contain himself. His legs wobbled, then gave way.
Someone grabbed his arm as he toppled over, nearly pulling it from its socket. They set him gently on the ground near Tony and Pepper.
When Peter looked up, Carol Danvers stared back at him. Her eyes widened, as though she was fascinated by the sight of him. She opened her mouth, but the ringing in Peter's ears drowned out any sound.
He went limp, rolling onto his side and covering his head with his hands. Carol grabbed his shoulders and shook them.
"Are you hurt?" she asked, taking his wrist in her hand. "Where's the blood?"
He stumbled back towards Tony. "It's Mr. Stark. I don't know why— he's not— I just didn't see—"
She stepped toward Tony, brow furrowed. "What happened?"
Peter glanced around, waiting for someone to speak up.
"Gauntlet," Rhodey said, pushing up his mask. "Bruce could barely handle it, even as Hulk."
Carol nodded and took another step toward Tony. "Tony Stark? My name's Carol Danvers. Can you hear me?"
Tony groaned softly, his eyelids fluttering. Peter twitched toward him, the tips of his fingers going numb.
"Get Bruce. Now," Carol ordered, pointing at Rhodey. "We have to know what's going on."
He nodded quickly and leapt into the air, pulling his mask back over his face. "I'll be back soon."
Carol mumbled something unintelligible and examined Tony's injuries. "Can he do anything?"
Pepper shook her head and brushed a matted strand of hair from her face. "He's got a suit, but that's not going to help."
They glanced briefly at each other, their eyes locking in understanding. "Talk to him," Carol suggested. "Just until War Machine gets back."
Pepper took a deep breath and drew a shaky fingertip across the side of Tony's face. "You did it, Tony. Didn't know you had it in you." Her face darkened. "I know that you might want to go, but please— please stay. For Morgan. For Peter. For me. Please."
Peter swallowed hard and put a hand of Pepper's shoulder. "Hey, Mr. Stark. It's Peter." He bit down on his bottom lip, tasting blood. "I want you to know what you've done for me. It's been crazy, getting to know you. It's just— you've given me so much. I wish you could see how nice all of this has been."
The ground behind him trembled, and he whipped around. Bruce towered over him, Rhodey flying close behind.
"Gamma radiation," he got out. "I could handle it. I should've handled it."
Carol pushed Pepper to the side. "No time for theatrics. I can take care of this. Give me a second to—" She broke off, seeming to have forgotten she'd even spoken. Carol reached forward towards Tony, her hands gripping his shoulders firmly.
As though pulling it from Tony, Carol surrounded them with fluorescent red and blue light. Fog-like, it filled the air with an almost-substantial cloud.
It flooded Peter's eyes, swirling and spinning. He raked a hand through his hair, his face flashing hot and cold.
Carol took a heavy breath in, the light fading. She stepped back quickly, energy rippling visibly through her. "I have to release this. Make sure he's okay." Carol started to lift into the sky, her feet dangling high above the ground. Without warning, she dropped back down and tucked into a front roll. She took Peter's arm gently, pulling him away from the crowd surrounding Tony.
"You okay?" she asked, her fingertips emitting tiny sparks.
Peter forced a breath. "Yeah, Ms. Danvers. I'm great. I just really wish—" His voice broke as a sob rose in his throat. Tears clouded his eyes, swirling the battlefield into a watercolor.
"Go back to him, Peter." After a moment, she added, "No matter what comes next, know that we'll be there for you, too. All of us."
He nodded, his eyes tracing her path as she took off in a swarm of color. "Thanks, Ms. Danvers." Without another thought, he stumbled back toward Tony, straining to see him over the others.
Someone grabbed his hand, yanking forcefully on his arm until he ducked below shoulder level, crawling towards Tony.
Pepper gave a small smile upon his arrival and released him from her clutches. "Inhale, Peter. You've got to keep breathing."
He made a strained hiccuping sound. "Y-yeah. Yeah." His throat stung as the rush of air made contact. He leaned toward Tony, his ears throbbing with pressure. "Is he…?"
"I don't know," she said, seeming very small. "If I could tell you, I would."
Bruce shoved his glasses back on. "Listen, Pepper. We don't want to move him, but there's a med center not too far from here, and I think it's safer than hoping he'll pull through on his own."
She glanced up at him, sighing. With a last squeeze of Tony's good hand, Pepper sprang back. "Do it."
Peter ripped off his mask. "Wait!"
Rhodey and Bruce turned to look at him, their brows furrowed and eyes cloudy with worry. "Alright, kid?" Rhodey asked.
"Can you make sure he's okay?"
Bruce knelt down beside him. His face softened. "I don't know, Peter. But we'll try."
That would have to be enough. Peter needed it to be. "Okay," he said, gulping mouthfuls of cool air. "Okay."
Pepper wrapped her arms around him. "It will be. That's a promise, Peter. Got it?"
He couldn't look at her, but he nodded. "Thanks, Mrs. Potts." A tear pushed its way down his cheek, clearing a streak of dirt from his face.
"Keep breathing, Peter," she reminded him. "Don't let this get this best of you."
"I won't," he said firmly, wiping his face with the back of his hand. "I swear."
(A/N: This was strangely soothing to write. I promise I won't be too cruel as I add more.)