Legal Disclaimer: My work is my own creative intelligence and property, but I do not own the original source material it stems from (I wouldn't be writing fanfiction if it was, or would I?). The opinions and interpretations of characters and events reflected in my stories may not follow what is portrayed from the source material. Please don't sue me, I'm a stay at home mom.
Competition/Challenge Block
Written For: Monthly Challenges for All (Year 6); Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry 2.0 (Term 2)
Hogwarts: Slytherin; Care of Magical Creatures Task 4 (Write about a warning coming too late.); Library (The Outsiders [Leather Jacket])
MC4A: Hunt (Desi; Autism; Severe Allergy; Gummy X; Candy Bar); Swap (Black Leather Jacket; Maroon Sundress; Leather Braided Belt; Leather Flip Flops; Stuffed Dragon); Soup (V - Visiting; I - Ignorant; O - Outside; E - Eyeglasses; T - Trans)
Word Count: 2,447
Warning Tag: Severe Allergy Attack; Major Character Death; References/Implies Past Abuse & Trauma
Author's Note: So I guess I am just writing one shots for my Dreams saga now. Multichapters are just so... much. And I was an idiot who started 3 of them at the same time. Man was I overly ambitious.
Nevertheless, I will continue them... eventually. Honestly the next chapter or two of each of them are nearly finished I'm sure. It's just moving that road block out of the way.
Anyway, enjoy the major angst in this fic. My friend said go mean cliffhanger so I went hard. Sorry. Does it help to know he gets better? Being the Master of Death and all, that is...
Thanks for bearing with me.
How Nightmares Are Made
It is every parent's worst nightmare to see their child in imminent danger. Especially when they are completely new to the idea of caring for a kid, much less knowing anything about them and were just adopted and had absolutely no belongings or medical records to their name.
This was the situation Tony had recently found himself in, unbeknownst in the moment of said danger. It was an unusually warm March day at the park; sunny but had a bite of winter still in the air. They stopped by after lunch to get some fresh air before heading back to the construction site.
Just a normal uneventful day until the part where Harry came wandering over to him, a girl following close behind. The girl's eyes were shining with an awestruck wonder, and Harry was rocking on his heels with barely contained excitement that Tony hadn't seen before from the kid.
"Dad, this is Peter," Harry said, half-turning to present them. "He's my new friend and asked to meet you. I hope it was okay."
Harry's tone changed slightly, prompting Tony to reassure him with a gentle smirk and a squeeze on his shoulder. "Course it's alright."
He held a hand out to Peter, giving the child his full attention. "Hello, Peter. I'm—"
"Ohmygosh it's sonicetomeetyou THE DoctorTonyStark ohmygosh!" Peter blurted excitingly, shaking Tony's hand so fast it wobbled his arm. "You're my idol! I'myourbiggest fan!"
Tony chuckled, giving a slight shake of his head and ignoring the high tone Peter got to. "Not sure that's a smart idea, but I'm honored."
Peter dropped his hand when he realized he was holding it so aggressively. "Sorry! I—uh… I never thought I would ever meet you, sir. I follow all of your projects and things… Just… your tech is just so cool and fascinating."
"Ah, a fellow engineer-to-be?" Tony asked, enthusiastic about the idea of a child being interested in his work. "I was about your age when I really got into it myself. Do you know where you wish to attend?"
His attention was quickly pulled away when Peter's guardian approached—or he assumed it was, anyway. She wore a smile made of pure kindness that lit up her chocolate almond-shaped eyes. Her maroon sundress brought the red out in her auburn hair, and the natural tanned braided leather belt matched her leather sandals and brought out the color ofher sun-kissed skin. She immediately went to Peter and placed her hands on the child's shoulders.
"Hello. I hope he isn't bothering you," she said. "He told me you were here and insisted on coming over to say hi."
"Trust me, he is my favorite paparazzi so far," Tony responded, smiling when she chuckled at the joke. "Name's Tony. This is my son, Harry."
He offered a hand and she accepted it. "I'm May, Peter's aunt. Hello, Harry."
"No kiddin'? Wow."
May gave a nervous chuckle. "Well, it's nice to officially meet you, sir. Peter tells me so much about you and your work it's a dream come true to meet you in person."
"Please call me Tony. Sir is my dad and we won't talk about that."
Harry gave him a nudge to redirect the conversation. "Can we go to the sweet shop with my new friend?"
"That depends on them, kiddo." Tony got up, collecting his well-worn black leather jacket from the bench and threw it over his shoulder.
The gold and maroon embossed word MARAUDERS that was written on the back of the jacket could barely be seen. "We were going to grab a treat before heading back to the office. You're welcome to join us if you like and we can drop you off wherever you like. Harry has taken quite a liking to your nephew and I'd hate to tear them apart so soon."
Tony leaned in somewhat to try and keep the next exchange of words from children's ears. "He isn't the only one smitten," he muttered, winking.
Flirting wasn't usually something he performed on the fly legitimately. Often it was used in a sarcastic or dismissive manner, but this time this woman struck him differently. Like she walked right out of an old, fond memory of his, except everything about her was just slightly off.
May offered him a courteous giggle at the comment, having him come to his senses, he placed a hand on Harry's upper back.
May was not Lily.
May looked to Peter for assurance. The kid, naturally, was nodding like a bobblehead.
"Sure, we'd love to."
Tony escorted the group to the parked SUV Happy occupied. He rapped his knuckles against the window, startling the bodyguard awake.
"Look alive, Happycakes."
He overheard Harry talking to Peter. "Happy isn't his real name."
"But it could be, yeah?" Peter countered. "Nicknames are just as valid."
"True. My name isn't really Harry," the boy admitted, "but it's easier for people to remember than my real name. I barely even knew I had a name before…"
Tony tuned out what Harry was oversharing with his new friend. It hurt too much to know that information already, but hearing it from him just made it sting that much more. Happy rubbed a hand over his face before hitting the locks. The doors clicked and Tony opened a back door.
"Beautiful ladies first," Tony said, offering May a hand to help her in.
"Thank you."
Happy got the kids situated in the far back seats from the other side. They still chattered away, oblivious from the world and the adults as everyone else loaded up. Tony sat next to May, leaving Happy alone in the front to navigate the New York traffic.
"Where to, Boss?"
"I know a good sweet shop," May said. "Myzal's Chocolates is just a few streets over, if you didn't have one in mind already that is."
"Perfect." Tony nodded, confirming with Happy so he could pull up the address and embarked on the journey.
"So, you already know so much about me, I'm flattered by the way. The kid has spark and confidence that's for sure," Tony acknowledged.
"He really does," May said. "He really admires you. He is so smart. All I can do is do my best to help nurture it and make sure that the doors stay open for him."
"Trust me that will do wonders in and of itself," Tony encouraged.
She gave him a look that had his chest fluttering, and he cleared his throat and looked over her shoulder to the window instead.
"Anyway, what do you do? If you don't mind my asking of course."
"I do a lot of charity work," May responded. "Mostly organizing resources and moving them where it's needed most. But we're faced with never ending shortages and lack of funding, so I've shifted into getting fundraisers put together and sponsors and such. It isn't anything nearly as explosive as your line of work, if you call it that."
Tony found the comment surprising, though probably warranted since she more than likely knew whatever the media said about him rather than the undercover projects he's had going alongside the weapons manufacturing he recently shut down. Medical equipment was an up and rising project of his, as well as disaster relief and other far more helpful lines of work; internships, scholarships, job opportunities, and of course the never ending research and development of technology as a whole. Oh, and being a guardian slash father figure to a child of his late, mysterious lovers—family?
"Well, as I am sure you know by now that Stark Industries no longer manufactures harmful products. A side effect of inheriting a company from your pops who founded it during the peak of warfare worldwide and all." Damn, guess he also was the sort to overshare. "I've been spearheading advancement in the medical field recently, as well as everything else that inspires progression in the technological development of the world and nurturing young minds to help work towards their life's dreams with scholarships, internships, and even jobs."
May seemed fairly interested in his babbling about work. This encouraged him to wander his subject further into her own interests.
"I've been looking into launching a disaster relief program, too. Since all this talk of superheroes has emerged through the grapevines in recent years, figure there's a beneficial solution out there that would aid in cleaning up their messes from saving the world and everything."
"That's quite responsible of you," May said. "Especially when you label yourself as a superhero."
Tony laughed nervously at that. "I never actually said that."
May clicked her tongue, imitating his voice, "'Truth is, I am Iron Man,'" she smirked, "sounds like such a declaration to me."
"Got me there," Tony said, smirking. "I don't let it get to my head, though."
"Good. It shows responsibility with the power entrusted to you. Don't lose that sight," May replied.
That statement honestly meant a lot to Tony.
"Tell me more about your disaster relief. Would you be interested in sponsoring similar programs and foundations as well?"
The conversation about work-related stuff continued between them. Occasionally Tony would pick up on the kids' conversation about their hopes and dreams. May soon gravitated away from charity talk, shifting to a more sensitive subject on how she has been looking for resources and doctors who would be willing to help Peter with his journey in transitioning safely and appropriately. It wasn't exactly something Tony expected to dive into, seeing it quite a personal subject to share with a near stranger. Yet, he shared a bit about Harry in turn and the legalities of everything still being combed through months later. She seemed a bit shocked his age was the same as Peter's, Harry was just so small for his age, something Tony was also working on with an endocrinologist and pediatrician. Nevertheless, he would do the very same for Harry if he were in her position. Not like he thought she was using him, so to speak, he did share a lot of information about his connections in the medical field, and if he had any indication that this wasn't going to be the first or last time they will see each other—not going to deny Harry a friend—he knew he was in a perfect position to help.
The car pulled up to the curb of the candy shop and Happy helped the kids out while Tony needlessly aided in helping May. The group entered the store, chatting about what they were going to get.
"Help yourselves. It's on me," Tony told them before they spread out.
"You'll regret those words," May said.
Happy went to order a coffee and the kids went to the candy wall to scan the endless list of sweets. Tony wasn't big on sweets in general, but he liked the occasional gummies. Classic bears were best of course, so he settled on grabbing a small bag. May was eying the fudge, but looking hesitant to pick something.
"What's your favorite? I'll spot you, too," Tony said.
"It's fine. These are always so pricey anyway and I don't really need it."
Tony raspberried at that. "Who comes to a candy shop for needs? It's all about the wants."
May laughed at that, and the joy filled Tony's ears and chest with a warmth he hadn't felt in a long time. It was then he saw the baklava on a display with various high quality candy bars. It sent his mind flying to a vivid, distant memory of learning how to make said treat from Lily and James. He grabbed a batch without a second thought and went to the register to wait for the rest to bring their treasures. Harry brought a modest bag of mixed goodies in it, along with a small green and golden stuffed dragon whereas Peter looked like the entire store was in his hands.
"Told you," May said, smirking. "He'll be good until Christmas with all that."
"It was my pleasure," Tony replied, holding the door for everyone to meet up with Happy who stood outside by the car.
Everyone piled into the car. Tony offered to take May and Peter wherever they needed and so they got the GPS situated and rolled back into city traffic. Everyone happily enjoying their treats.
"Hey, Harry, try this pastry," Tony said, offering a piece of baklava. "It was your parents favorite. Baklava. It isn't as good as their recipe, but it is still decent."
"Thank you," said Harry, accepting it.
Peter took a piece too, always eager to try new things. "This is delicious!"
As Tony shared some with May and Happy, he felt his entire world come to a standstill when Peter started yelling and grabbing at Tony's arm.
"Something is wrong with Harry! He's choking!"
Tony turned to face his son, seeing his face peppered in angry red spots and he clawing at his throat. His lips were puffy and his tongue appeared to be swollen as Harry gasped for air.
"Oh, my God he's having an allergic reaction!" May hollered. "Pull over! Call 9-1-1!"
Tony barely could hear her over the watery ringing in his ears. He climbed into the backseat between the kids and did his best to pry open Harry's mouth to get whatever remains of the pastry was left out. Happy pulled over and was already on the phone while May jumped out to pull the seat down and try to help. The world spun around Tony as he held Harry in his arms, watching him convulse from lack of oxygen, the hives spreading, his lips purpling, his eyes slipping closed. He couldn't get his tongue flat enough with a finger to try and perform CPR, but it didn't stop him trying anyway.
"Do you have an epipen? Medical card? Anything?"
"I—I didn't…"
"We don't have his medical records yet," Happy said to the dispatcher on the phone. "We didn't know he was allergic—"
May ripped the phone from Happy and asked for medical advice while they waited. Tony didn't feel like he was in control of anything, not even his body. He barely registered pulling Harry out of the car and laying him on the concrete, leather jacket under his head while May checked his mouth before attempting CPR herself. Sirens wailed, a crowd started circling but Happy kept them at bay. Tears formed in Tony's eyes as he saw Harry's eyes turn black through his glasses before closing, smoky-like wisps escaping through his lashes.
This was not happening again… not again.
"Stay with me, kid… stay with me…" Tony whispered, closing his eyes to trap the tears. "I'm sorry… I'm sorry."