A/N: So, here we are! At the end of this collection. BUT, how is this going to end? Does anyone have a vague sense of dread, like Tony did before Thanos showed up…?
THANK YOU, so much, for your reviews and love! It means A LOT to me to know that you're out there, waiting for my updates. (HUGS) I really hope that you'll enjoy this conclusion.
Okay, folks. There's no sugarcoating this – we've diving to painful waters, now. And I'm sorry! But this… couldn't be avoided.
I really hope that you'll enjoy the somewhat emotional ride!
Plus One – Ashes
Tony had had a very bad feeling for years. (Since he took an unplanned trip to space with a damned bomb and saw just how much danger was lurking, there in the infinity.) The nasty feeling escalated tenfold when he found out that Thanos was coming. When it became apparent that Peter would get sucked into the colossal mess, too, dragged all the way to the space… Tony nearly lost it.
Because there was a tiny, horrible voice in the back of his mind that screamed 'THIS IS IT – THIS IS THE WORST!'.
They gave the battle absolutely everything they had. Because against Thanos nothing else would've been enough. But, as it turned out… As close to winning as they came for a bittersweet moment, in the end their all wasn't enough.
Tony was stupid enough to imagine that getting stabbed hurt. It did, like hell. But if that had been left as the day's worst pain, it would've been a blessing. Because all of a sudden the people, comrades, around him began to fade away. And then came the worst.
"Mr. Stark…"
It was the kind of a thing Peter should've never, ever had any part in. Even the teenager himself was willing to admit that. But he left the bus. Followed danger when it came calling. Because he had a neighborhood to protect, even if it was from terrifying aliens. And, if he was being honest… He probably would've followed Tony even without an intuitive suit.
It was the most ridiculous and intense battle Peter had ever been to. Yet he did his best to stay brave through the whole fiasco, even when it became apparent that things were headed downhill, big time. He succeeded in being far too brave for someone of his age. But what did that courage earn him?
Peter stared, wide-eyed, how the people around him began to disappear. Confused and, he admitted, a little scared. What was going on? Why was everyone turning to ashes?
Then his spider-senses screamed a deafening warning. Something absolutely horrible was coming. What was happening, to him, to everyone?
Not knowing was, perhaps, the most terrifying part. Peter did know one thing, though, with all his madly hammering heart. He wasn't ready. He didn't want to go, didn't want to leave, not like this. So he reached out for the only person who might be able to help.
"Mr. Stark…"
There are no words to describe what Tony felt when the teenager slumped to his arms. The kid fought with every single cell in his body to hang on. Peter's panic and despair weren't the worst part. Nor was the absolutely gut-wrenching realization that this, right here, would always be the closest they'd ever come to hugging. The worst wasn't even the crushing knowledge that he wouldn't be able to help this time, that he was once again letting down the boy who trusted him with his life. In the most horrible way. The absolutely worst was that Tony couldn't bring himself to utter a single word of comfort when the teenager needed comforting the most.
Peter begged. Pleaded. Absolutely terrified, because what teenager was supposed to be at peace with the knowledge of death approaching? The boy apologized, despite having absolutely no reason to, that damned kid…! And then, eventually, did his very best to be brave once more. Resigned to what couldn't be avoided. Tony would wonder, for the rest of his life, what the boy saw in those final few moments.
Ashes floated in the air along with the words Tony didn't manage to squeeze out.
'Everything' gonna work out, you'll see.'
'I'm so proud of you.'
'You did great, you have no idea how great.'
'Don't go.'
'Don't you dare leave me!'
'Stay with me!'
'I'm so sorry!'
'I'll figure out a way to fix this, I promise.'
Tony sat there, absolutely frozen. His glazed over, wide eyes staring at the ashes floating down and away. He was still unable to speak. What point was there in saying anything when Peter was gone, would never get to hear him?
They lost, in the worst way. The Mad Titan snapped his fingers and a child was torn apart, reduced to dust. Tony's kid was stolen, ripped from the world. And he'd been left behind, in pain and alone. (Story of his life.)
Tony didn't think he'd ever felt so cold, hollow and defeated in his life.
He barely noticed how, at some point, the clearly-not-human woman left behind with him approached him. There was something like understanding in her eyes. "I'm sorry about your son."
Tony didn't bother correcting her. Instead he bowed his head. And finally let the tears start falling.
'I love you, kid.'
End
A/N: So… That just happened. (winces) Don't hate me – the movie did it first…! Let's hope that in the next movie, those turned to ashes can be brought back. Especially Peter.
SOOOO… Here we are, at the end of this mini-collection. Thoughts? Comments? Rants? PLEASE, let me hear your thoughts! I LOVE hearing from you.
THANK YOU, so much, for reading and sticking around all this time! I've enjoyed taking this ride with you. (HUGS) Who knows. Maybe I'll see you again later?
Take care!
Iron pug: Cute it was. (smiles fondly) That's TOTALLY how I see the relationship between Tony and May, too, especially after Peter's secret is out. They both want to protect him, so bad, and it might just be the only thing they agree on. (chuckles)
Oh, my solemn goal is to make EVERYONE adore that kid as much as I do. (giggles) Tom Holland, THANK YOU for taking the role – and whoever made the call, THANK YOU for hiring him! He's PERFECT.
Gigantic thank yous for the review! Until next time.
