Mr. Stark, I don't feel so good."
Tony looked up at the sixteen-year-old hero who was staring at his hands. He knew what was going to happen. He had just watched the Guardians, the galaxy's strongest protectors, crumble into nothing but a pile of ashes. Tony knew, but he wished he didn't.
"You're alright." He said firmly.
"I don't know- I don't know what's happening." Peter stuttered. He took a few shuddering steps toward Tony, but his knees gave out and he landed square on the other man's chest. Peter wrapped his arms around Tony's torso, shut his eyes, and began to say, "I don't wanna go, I don't wanna go..."
It hit Tony like a bullet to the heart. Peter wasn't just a hero, he was a high school student who liked science and Star Wars and other nerdy stuff. And yet, here he was, asking - no, begging - to stay alive.
"Sir, please... I don't wanna go." Peter sniffled. "I don't wanna go.."
His voice broke Tony's heart. It was cracked and filled with a remorse no teenager should have. Tony dropped to his knees and gently lay Peter on the ground.
The boy stopped begging instantly. He looked Tony in the eyes before looking away, out into the distance. Tony knew that look. It was the look of defeat. Peter had given up.
You can't give up, kid! Keep fighting! Please!!
Peter looked back at the older man. He opened his mouth and uttered a single word.
"I'm sorry,"
Those were the last words of Peter Benjamin Parker as he faded into dust in Tony's hands.
Peter knew what was going to happen before it happened. The feeling was thick in the air, like swollen rainclouds that always crowded the sky before a storm. The back of his neck tingled, warning him of danger. It usually saves him from certain death, but this time, it was leading him to his death.
"Mr. Stark, I don't feel so good." Peter said shakily. He already knew what was going to happen. He had watched Drax and Quill fade into dust before his very eyes. He knew what was coming for him, whether Peter liked it or not.
"You're alright." Tony stated. Peter was surprised to hear the firmness in the man's voice. It sounded like he was declaring to the public about the newest school he had just funded. Peter would've laughed under any other circumstance.
"I don't know - I don't know what's happening.." He whispered. Peter took a few steps towards Tony, but his knees gave out halfway through. He collided into the man, but instead of pulling away and apologizing like he usually would, he curled his arms around him.
Peter felt hot tears pricking his eyes, and he didn't stop them. "I don't wanna go, I don't wanna go.." Maybe if he said it enough, it would be true.
Peter felt Tony's arms wrap around him tighter.
"Sir, please, I don't wanna go." The words wripped themselves from his raw, aching throat. "I don't wanna go.."
Tony gently lay the boy onto the ground. Peter stopped begging, feeling a sudden calm rush over him, like the eye in the storm. Suddenly, he wasn't scared anymore. Surprisingly, Peter felt nothing, even though he knew of the death that was coming in a matter of moments.
He turned to Tony and used his last breath to whisper, "I'm sorry."
He looked away, not bearing to see the look on Tony's face. He had come to terms with his fate, but he wasn't sure that Tony could.
He could feel the nothingness eat away at him, but he ignored it and closed his eyes.
Sorry, Aunt May, that I won't be home in time for dinner.
Sorry, Ned, that I can't help you with the cool new Star Wars lego set you got.
Sorry, MJ, for not attending the next Decathalon meeting.
Sorry, Flash, that I won't be there for you to bully anymore.
Sorry, everybody.
And with that, Spiderman became no more.