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Tony looked at May as she came out looking at the car before her. Tony knew how she felt. He could see her eyes were puffy. He knew he had been dealing with his pain one way but to see her in pain hurt. To see May hurting and knowing it was his fault that is what hurt the most. He held an umbrella over her head as she walked out to the car in the rain. Tony watched her nod at him as if he was a good friend.
~
“Mr. Stark,” Peter said excitedly as they sat on the Queen jet. Tony smiled at the kid. He was the only one excited to be there. It was supposed to be a quick mission. Something that wouldn’t be too hard. He didn’t expect the worst to happen on the mission and take them all to this place in time.
“Hey Kid,” Tony said.
“When we get back can we do this update that I have in mind?” Peter asked him. Tony had agreed not knowing at the time he wouldn’t have the chance to keep his promise to the kid.
~
They rode in silence. Happy was driving them, but even Happy wasn’t doing well with this. Pepper and Rhodey seemed to watch Tony as if he might say something but he didn’t. Pepper seemed to hand May a tissue as she thanked her.
“I’m sorry,” Tony wanted to say but the words just never came out of his mouth. He just sat there knowing he could have prevented all of this by just being a bit quicker. Rhodey seemed to notice that he was thinking too much as he looked at him concerned. He didn’t deserve it, not after what happened with the kid. Not when he was at fault for everyone’s sorrow. The greatest of them all gone.
~
“There are five of them around Spider-Man,” Vision said. Tony seemed to panic as he tried to stop the two who were surrounding him.
“Someone get to my kid now,” Tony said.
“A little occupied,” Wanda reminded him. Tony blasted the two surrounding him before asking FRIDAY to locate Peter. He headed that way just knowing he needed to get there in time to help the kid. Five aliens were attacking his kid and no support for the kid wasn’t ideal. Peter was in danger. Tony knew it as he flew to the location only to be able to watch the kid fall before he could stop them. Tony blasted two of them as the other three became alert to the new threat against them ready to attack Tony. To hurt him like they had done his kid. Except Tony was very mad now. They had pissed off the wrong superhero and now they were going to pay with their lives. Tony just didn’t know how late he was at that point in time or their deaths would have been much worse then they had been.
~
The service was slow as Tony thought only of that day as May sat between him and Happy. Pepper held onto him. He noticed other avengers had slipped in as well as Peter’s classmates. His girlfriend MJ seemed to hold onto Ned. He never expected to see her cry but here she was having to cry at this moment because Tony wasn’t fast enough to save his kid.
“He would be glad to know you are here with May,” Pepper reminded him. Tony knew she was right but at the same time it felt wrong for Peter not to be here making a joke right now or sitting between him and May. As if he was the only connection they had anymore.
“He is with Ben now,” May told Happy. Tony knew that was a good thing in a way but at the same time he wished Peter was with them instead.
~
“It’s okay Mr. Stark,” Peter said. Tony looked at the kid who he was holding close as he was struggling to breathe.
“We will get you the help we need then you will be fine,” Tony told him.
“Tony,” Peter said. Tony stopped as he looked at the kid who seemed to be serious. “Make sure... May is okay.” Tony didn’t want to think about what he was hinting at.
“You can tell her yourself when we get you home,” Tony told him.
“Thank you for caring for her,” Peter got out between breaths. Tony looked at him confused. “Don’t blame yourself.” Tony looked at the kid as the kid seemed to just stare at him. His breathing had stopped according to Karen. Tony pulled Peter to him hugging the kid even though he knew Peter couldn’t feel it as his tears fell from his eyes. He picked up the kid’s body and brought him home one last time.
~
“What do I say about Peter Parker?” Tony said standing in front of a bunch of people giving a eulogy for the kid. “Peter was not just a remarkable student but someone who always did what was right no matter the price. Even if it would be his own life. Peter saved countless lives. Many who might not have known he was a hero because under the mask was a caring kid who never wanted recognition for the heroic acts he did. He only ever wanted people to be safe. He was one of the greatest heroes that the world ever had.”
No one was disagreeing with him as he saw so many people nod at everything he was saying as if he was right. Peter was gone but that didn’t mean his legacy was. Tony looked at the door and saw a boy there smiling before he turned and faded grabbing a hand that faded with him as he went on to his next destination. Away from the world that took so much until it decided his life was needed to finish his suffering. Tony knew Peter was safe and with his uncle now. A better place, but what world was going to come from it?