Day Fifteen: "Run, don't look back."
It was a warzone.
Peter started to feel dread when the HYDRA members kept coming. He wasn't just strong, he also had fast healing. But it was hard to heal while he kept taking blow after blow, getting shot at by different weapons, being tackled, almost being restrained by vibranium. There were so many members at all angles and his Spidey-Sense was going off the charts.
Needless to say, it was getting harder and harder to concentrate. He should've come with Tony. He should've realized he couldn't handle all these people by himself. A smaller HYDRA base he knew he could handle. He took one down with Tony once and Tony praised him for how well he did. When he first got here, Peter thought this HYDRA base was another small one but he was deceived real fast.
There were smaller buildings next to a larger one that had members consistently coming out of them. Peter had done great in the beginning. He took down a whole building full of them (even if it was a smaller building) and destroyed the weapons in there. That's when more HYDRA freaks came out and he got overwhelmed.
He was bloody and bruised and he cursed his healing abilities for not acting immediately. He was nervous to attempt Instant Kill, worried he might lose control and actually kill the members. He didn't want that. All he wanted to do was incapacitate them and have the authorities deal with the rest.
Peter shot a web and swung himself up onto a roof of one of the smaller buildings. A group of five members tried to shoot at him. Peter shot some web grenades before the bullets managed to hit him, causing a mini explosion at the impact. He backed up further on the roof and tried to think.
He could practically hear Tony's scolding now. He was going to berate him for going alone and being careless. He was probably going to tell him his patrol curfew was going to be cut and he had to stick to friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man duties.
He wouldn't mind that.
"Give it up, Spider-Freak!" a member shouted obnoxiously. "There's more of us than you."
"Yeah, I never would've guessed," Peter mumbled.
"Maybe if you come down we can work out a deal," the freak shouted. "Maybe if you give us some...inside information regarding Iron Man, Tony Stark…"
Peter growled and risked going to the edge. Thankfully he wasn't shot at. Yet.
"I'm not telling you anything about him!" he called back. "Try again!"
His Spidey-Sense went crazy again despite no one aiming a gun at him. He looked around frantically, trying to find the source of the problem. His enhanced hearing picked up quiet beeping. His eyes widened. He immediately went to jump to another building but halfway through his jump, the building under him exploded sending him along with debris all over the place.
He was crushed under some debris and he started to hyperventilate. It was like what happened with Toomes'. No, it was worse. HYDRA freaks were already coming his way, aiming their rifles at him. He managed to lift a building off himself before. He didn't know if he could do that and avoid getting shot at at the same time, though.
"W-wait," Peter panted when a well-built man made his way in front of the group. "You said you wanted information?"
He wasn't going to give any information on Tony Stark, Iron Man, but he was willing to give information about himself. Fake information, that is.
"Let me out and I'll tell you whatever you want to know. About me, not Iron Man," Peter said. He desperately wanted the debris off him and he couldn't stop thinking about all those months ago.
He tried not to flinch at the rifle aimed between his eyes and he shut his eyes, preparing for the worst.
"Who are you?"
"That's a good question. He probably keeps it a secret for a reason."
Peter's breath hitched. His eyes snapped open as Iron Man came flying down from the sky. He flew past oncoming bullets and blasted some freaks out of the way. Some bullets ripped through his armor but nothing too serious. He grabbed the leader's arms and tossed him away from Peter.
"M-Mister Stark," Peter whimpered.
"We'll talk about this later," Tony said. There was something about his voice that was off.
The HYDRA members collected themselves and went to attack again.
"Iron Man-"
"Don't aim those at me," Tony snapped when multiple rifles were aimed at him. "Damn, they really are coming out from everywhere. Like a bunch of rats."
Tony blasted the ground in front of the members to get them to back away as pieces of the ground flew over the place. He turned to Peter and already started to pull the debris off him. Peter gasped when he was finally pulled out. His legs throbbed but miraculously they weren't broken. He thanked his healing for that.
"There's too many of them, kid," Tony said, brushing off the dirt on Peter's shoulders. "You're battered like no tomorrow…" he mumbled, mostly to himself.
"Mister Stark-?"
Tony wrapped his arms around him and pulled him close as bullets went flying. Some penetrated Tony's armor but still didn't hit his actual body. He used his body as a shield for Peter. Peter's eyes widened when he realized what was coming.
"Run, kid." Tony let him go and gave him a harsh shove. Peter almost fell over. "Run, don't look back."
"M-Mister Stark-"
"Get out of here!" Tony snapped.
Peter flinched violently. "Tony..."
"Don't make this harder than it needs to be."
More bullets, shouting and rushed footsteps came. Peter's heart beat roughly in his chest. Tony moved forward and gave Peter another violent shove. Tears welled in Peter's eyes.
"I-I don't…"
"Please, kiddo."
Peter didn't need to see Tony's eyes to know they were probably pleading. His tone was indication enough. When Peter didn't move, Tony gripped his arm and threw him as far as he could manage.
Peter grunted as he collapsed on his side. Tony threw him pretty far, all things considered. He stood and with hesitance and dread, he turned and started running. He didn't want to leave. He wanted to stay and help more than anything. But he didn't want to disobey his father figure's request. As it might really be the last one.
He tried to ignore all the horrendous noises coming from behind him. There were multiple explosions going off now and the ground shook. More than one rifle fired. There was more shouting.
Then there was one gunshot that almost sounded different than the others. Peter stumbled and whipped around.
There was nothing but silence. A tense silence. It felt like his heart shattered. It felt like there was a severed connection. Then he understood.
"N-no...No, no, no! TONY!" he screamed. "Please, no!"
This couldn't be happening. It was not possible. Tony was strong. Tony was brave. Tony was Iron Man, for god's sake! His heart started throbbing worse now. He gripped his chest and collapsed to his knees. He should've disobeyed like he had before. He was a teenager! He was allowed to disobey!
There was a thought in the back of his mind while he ran that Tony would make it out. He might be injured but he'd make it out. He had to. That was also why he ran. He had faith, albeit small faith because of how many HYDRA freaks there were, that Tony would make it through. Tony would make it through, scold him, call him Underoos and say it's time to go home.
How could he let this happen? He hated himself for obeying Tony's order. He hated not bringing him along with him in the first place. If they were together from the start, they could've handled it perfectly.
Or perhaps Peter should've also attempted to get more back-up, not just Tony. Maybe the old Avengers...But he found it hard to trust them still. Now, because of that, Tony was...Tony-
Peter gripped his head and screamed. Tears streamed down his face.
He should've disobeyed. He should've died with Tony.
He decided he'd let the HYDRA freaks do whatever they wanted to him. He deserved it for killing Tony.
Peter's eyes snapped open and he screamed. His scream echoed in his surroundings. He fell off his bed and scrambled to the wall, eyes still wide and tears still streaming down his face. He couldn't think. He barely registered that he was in his room at the Tower.
"Peter? Peter!"
Oh god, that voice…
Strong hands gripped his shoulders. "Peter, kiddo, breathe."
"I...Tony!"
Peter looked Tony up and down. He was completely unharmed. There were no signs of any injuries. He looked distressed but that was it. He was dressed in pajamas and looked like he came running from his room to Peter's.
"I...I thought you-"
Tony pulled him into a strong and warm embrace. He rubbed his back and whispered soothing words in his ear. Peter snuggled into him and whimpered. He didn't want to let go. He wanted to stay with Tony.
"It was just a nightmare, Underoos."
Oh, that nickname. He thought he'd never hear it again.
Tony pulled back slightly but kept his hands on his shoulders. "Do you want to stay up for a while? Watch a couple movies and try sleeping later?"
Peter nodded and sniffled. Tony smiled softly and helped him stand. He held him close.
"You get to pick the movies," Tony said. He rubbed Peter's arm in a soothing manner.
"I better," Peter mumbled, chuckling.
Tony ruffled his hair.
Author's Note: This one was a bit more intense, huh? Would you be surprised if I said this one is actually shorter than the last one, even though the last one was more "domestic" whereas this one is more action filled? I have no idea how that happened. xD
(also sorry not sorry that this was a nightmare ;) )
That's all for now. I'll see ya'll in the next chapter.
Thanks for reading!
~Kurosaki
