I just Avengers Endgame (since I'm in France it releases the 24th so earlier than the US) and it rocked me to my chore.
It affected so profoundly I had the spontaneous urge to write this short little drabble, one shot, whatever you want to call it. It's nothing amazing or mind-blowing by any stretch, just some emotional therapy for myself.
Enjoy it as much as you can but DEFINETLY WAIT TO HAVE SEEN AVENGERS ENDGAME BEFORE READING IT JUST TO BE SAFE. There are no real spoilers in here I think but I feel it makes more sense for you to read it after seeing the epic conclusion to Marvel 10 year monument.
WARNING! SPOILDER FOR AVENGERS ENDGAME!
WARNING! SPOILDER FOR AVENGERS ENDGAME!
WARNING! SPOILDER FOR AVENGERS ENDGAME!
WARNING! SPOILDER FOR AVENGERS ENDGAME!
WARNING! SPOILDER FOR AVENGERS ENDGAME!
YOU'VE BEEN WARNED, ENJOY.
Peter Parker was happy. He was dying; but he was happy.
He looked over to his left at his beautiful daughter holding his hand, tears brimming in her eyes. To his left, his son, the new and only Spiderman. They were both adults now, with families, responsibilities, living in a world he'd helped save long ago.
He smiled at that distant memory. In a couple months going he's gone from "Friendly Neighborhood Spiderman" to "Galaxy Saving Avenger". He couldn't believe it then and he still couldn't quite wrap his mind around it now.
The entire fight on Titan he'd felt hopelessly out of his depth. All around him were these incredible heroes, all kicking ass and tacking names while he was just some kid who didn't even have a driver's license. He should have been terrified and he was, but he also knew this was where everything would come down. Mr Stark thought he was ready and he wasn't about to disappoint him.
That entire battle with Thanos still haunted Peter to this day. His limitless, unbeatable power that didn't falter regardless of how many attacks they pummeled him with. Even with all of their combined strengths and the element of surprise, they were still unable to stop him.
Peter shook away the memory of what happened next. He didn't want that to be his last memory. Instead he thought about everything that happened after they got everyone back. He went back to school, started dating MJ, continued to be the "Friendly Neighborhood, Occasional World-Saving Avenger, Spiderman" and over seventy years later, here he was. Two beautiful children, a new generation of heroes to continue the fight and an old one he was about to be reunited with.
As Peter felt his heart slowing down, Liz and Tony tightened their grips around their father's hands. He felt their tears fall as they leaned closer to him.
"Don't go dad, please," Tony whispered. "I'm not ready. There's still so much I don't know; you've got to teach me."
Peter smiled compassionately as he stared straight into his son's eyes.
"It's not the suit that makes the man Tony," Peter said with a smirk. "And you're a greater man than I could ever hope to be."
Tony stared back at his father for a moment before nodding resolutely in understanding. Peter turned to his daughter who was doing her best to keep her composure as the older sister.
"Stay safe. Stay together," Peter asked her, his voice growing weaker. "I love you both so much. I'm going to see them now… see them all… again…"
Peter's hands slacked; his head rolled to the side, his eye lids closed; the heart monitor by his bed flat lined, the sound echoing across the room and across the world.
Peter Parker, the first Spiderman and the last of the Avengers, had died.
Peter wasn't sure where he was.
He opened his eyes to find himself laying on the floor of a familiar looking building. Was this… the original Avengers headquarters?
He looked around him and realized that it absolutely was. He remembered the hundreds, thousands of times he'd walked these halls, as a hero and later as a consultant. It was a place of great memories, friendships and…
"Peter?" a shocked voice asked behind him.
Peter turned around slowly, unsure if he was hallucinating. It was MJ; there she was. Young and beautiful, looking just like she had when he'd first met here in high school.
In two quick leaps they were in each other's arms, tears streaming down both their cheeks.
"I missed you so much," Peter whispered. "I'm sorry I took so long, I…"
"Don't Tiger," MJ cut him off with a smile followed by a passionate kiss. "You're right on time. The party was just about to start."
Peter then recognized the distant melody of Come and Get Your Love by Redbone. He looked back at MJ with a confused look but she just led him by the hand towards the music and the growing hum of voices.
Peter didn't believe his eyes. They were all here. The old breakroom of the Avengers headquarters was completely packed with all the Avengers he'd fought with long ago.
Right as he entered he saw Peter Quill and Rocket Raccoon operating the turntables and getting into a fight over which songs to play.
"Go," MJ whispered in his ear. "I'll see you later Tiger."
And with that, she moved into the crowd of people and disappeared. Peter smiled and went up two the bickering Guardians of the Galaxy who were doing their name a disservice with the insults they were throwing at each other.
Seeing Peter approach, they both stopped their bickering, huge grins taking over their faces.
"My God," Peter Quill exclaimed. "Peter what are you doing here?"
"You really want him to state the obvious Quill?" Rocket cut in sarcastically. "It's great to see ya Pete. It's been a while."
Peter tried to hold back the tears brimming in his eyes.
"Yeah Rocket, it's been a while," he replied shakily. "How are you? Is everyone here?"
"Yeah everyone's here," Rocket said. "We're getting the last touches ready and then we're gonna start the party. You should grab a seat, it's gonna be something pretty special. I think you might want to see the boss man though before we begin."
"I think I will Rocket," Peter nodded slowly. "See you later. Bye Quill."
"See ya Pete!" Starlord replied with a grin.
Peter waved at them and made his way through the crowd, trying to find his man.
He saw some of the other Guardians, T'Challa and his sister, Ant-Man, Nick Fury and so many others he'd fought alongside over the years as he made his way across the room.
Suddenly, he stopped when he glimpsed a familiar red cloak. He walked up to it and as it spun around, revealed Doctor Steven Strange, the former Sorcerer Supreme. Peter couldn't help himself and gripped the doctor in a massive bear hug which he accepted less than enthusiastically.
"Hello Peter," he grunted as he detached himself from the young man. "It's good to see you."
"Oh my god doctor Strange it's so good to see you too," Peter blurted out in tears. "The new Sorcerer Supreme isn't nearly as awesome as you."
Strange smiled benevolently at the young man. They'd always had a natural chemistry and friendship from their first meeting.
"If you're looking for your mentor, I think I saw him at the big boy table." Strange said pointing towards the far end of the room.
"Thanks doc, see you later." Peter said with a wave as he ran off where Strange had indicated.
After pushing his way through the crowd, Peter finally made it to the large circular table where the Avengers held their team meetings. Three men were seated around it, their backs turned to Peter.
"Mr Stark?" Peter asked timidly.
Steven Rogers, Thor Odinson and Tony Stark all turned towards the young man with wide smiles and smirks.
"Hey kid," Tony said with a smirk.
Peter ran into his arms and gripped him tightly in a hug which to his surprise, Tony returned. They stayed like this a couple seconds and separated before things got too awkward.
Peter smiled to Thor and Steve, shaking both of their hands.
"We were beginning to wonder if you'd ever show spider boy," Thor exclaimed with a laugh. "It seems you're a tough bug to kill."
"He got taught by the best," Steve said with a smile.
"Alright now don't get too mushy on me guys," Tony cut in as he got to his feet. "Since, you know, I can't say 'please kill me'."
Thor and Steve chuckled and followed Peter and Tony as they made their way down the stairs where everyone was waiting. They all had looks of happiness and contentment. Everything was finally right.
"Don't worry kid," Tony whispered in Peter's ear. "It's not over. It's never over. As long as there's evil, we'll be there to fight it. We're the Avengers."
Peter looked into Tony's eyes and knew what he meant.
It was never over. They would always be there.
