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Peter was staring so hard into the kitchen counter, Happy figured a hole would be burned there soon enough.
They were in the penthouse of the repurchased tower, something else that occurred while Peter was dusted away into the Soul stone, waiting for any news from Doctor Cho on Mr. Stark’s condition.
After Mr. Stark had snapped, chaos ensued. Pepper was crying, Dr. Strange was opening a portal, Ms. Danvers, Thor, and Rhodey worked together to get Mr. Stark through it into the medbay where a team of doctors were waiting to get to work and do the impossible.
Peter couldn’t watch, couldn’t do much else than try to cover his ears and block out the sound of Mr. Stark’s slowing down heartbeat. Everything was too much, too loud, he couldn’t think or move or do anything but feel the growing panic of possibly losing another father figure. The only thing to pull him from it was Pepper’s hands, gripping his own to pull them away from his ears and tug him into her chest for a tight hug.
“He’ll be okay, it’s okay sweetie.”
That was fourteen hours ago, fourteen long hours where Peter was sent away with Happy to clean up and pretend his mentor wasn’t possibly flatlining on the hospital bed. Peter had been avoiding everyone, only speaking when necessary, which was jarring to Happy. The kid never shut up.
“Peter, Tony did this to get you back.” Happy spoke softly, watching Peter carefully as he pulled his arms up to rest over the counter, his head falling into them. “He loves you, kid. He’ll be okay because he needs to see that you are.”
Peter sniffled, wiping a hand over his eyes to get rid of the coming tears. “So, so you’re saying this- everything that happened, is because Mr. Stark- wanted me back?” Peter whispered. At Happy’s nod, Peter let out a sob. “So it’s all my fault.”
“Kid no, that’s not at all what I meant, and you know it.” Happy scowled, and Peter couldn’t help but feel he was making him mad, that he was screwing everything up, again.
“It is, Happy! It’s all my fault.” Peter ran a hand through his hair, “If I never got close to Mr. Stark… if I never became Spiderman, this never would’ve happened. He never would’ve had to snap, because he wouldn’t have brought everyone back. He did this because of me, it’s my fault.”
Peter stood from the counter, turning away from Happy. He glared down at his mask in his hands. “I wish I never got bit in the first place.”
With that, Peter ran towards the elevator, ignoring Happy calling out to him and letting the doors shut behind him.
-
Peter tucked his knees to his chest, leaning against the back of the medbay chair and staring at Mr. Stark unconscious on the bed. It was well past midnight, everyone in the room having left to get some sleep once Mr. Stark was stable, the only thing disturbing the silence in the room was the constant beep of the heart monitor and the occasional nurse coming in to check on him.
Peter was still in his suit, not having been aware enough to change out of it since the fight with Thanos. The Iron Spider suit had since dissipated into the spider emblem on his chest that must have acted as a housing unit for the nanobots, and it now sat on the small nightstand by Mr. Stark’s bed. Without the Iron Spider suit, he was still left with his original on. Peter held his mask in his hands, staring at the white eye lenses that stared back at him.
“Why me?” Peter whispered. “Why did I have to get bit? Why did you have to save me, Mr. Stark?” Peter’s head fell back and hit the wall behind him, tears building up once more. “This is all my fault.”
A knock on the door frame startled Peter, and he sat up, looking at the door. Dr. Strange stood at the entrance, wearing jeans and a long sleeve, a weird look as Peter had only ever seen him in his billowing cape.
“I don’t mean to interrupt your self-deprecating moment, but you ran off in quite a hurry earlier.” Dr. Strange said. He seemed to have an almost arrogant air surrounding him. Now Peter knew why Mr. Stark never liked inviting him to team dinners.
“What do you want?” Peter snipped, then backtracked, eyes widening when he realized how he was talking to the wizard/magician/world-renowned doctor. “Sorry, I just-“
“No need to apologize. I understand.” Dr. Strange stepped further into the room, coming to sit in the chair next to Peter. They both were silent, staring at the prone figure on the bed. “What I don’t understand, however,” Dr. Strange broke the silence, “is you insisting that this is all somehow you’re doing. I personally wouldn’t give yourself so much credit, kid.”
Peter scowled, “Don’t call me that.” He sighed when Dr. Strange turned his eyes on him. “Happy said that Mr. Stark invented time travel to get me back. That without me, he wouldn’t have done it. How else was I supposed to take it?” Peter laid his head back once more. “I can’t help but think that none of this would’ve happened if I never went on that stupid field trip and got bitten by that stupid spider.”
“So,” Dr. Strange started slowly, “you wish you never become Spiderman?”
Peter rolled his eyes. “Yes, I’m pretty sure I just said that.”
Dr. Strange nodded, as if coming to a conclusion. “Well, Mr. Parker. You’re in luck. Today I’m feeling extra generous, and I think I have just the thing to help you with your problem.”
“You do?” Peter uncurled from his chair and watched skeptically as Dr. Strange made an intricate movement with his hands, an orangish glow illuminating the room in a sunset hue. Peter’s eyes widened, the glow reflecting on them as he stared with curiosity.
“I’m giving you a second chance.” With that, Dr. Strange thrust his palms into Peter’s chest, and everything went dark.
-
Peter jerked awake to the sound of his phone blaring Ned’s ringtone. He scrambled to grab the phone to silence it so as to not wake up May. Answering the phone, Peter groaned. “Ned? Why’re you callin’ this early in the mornin’?” He mumbled sleepily, eyes slipping shut once more.
“Peter! You slept in? Did you forget about the field trip?”
Peter’s eyes flung open as he sat up quickly, his blurry (blurry?) vision flickering around his room. His old room. What the hell? He was just in the Medbay with Mr. Stark, talking to Dr. Strange. How did he get home? And why was he in his room of their first apartment? Peter’s mouth hung open, barely paying attention to Ned’s rambling on the phone. This was his room in the apartment they had before Ben died. Peter and May had to move to a smaller one because the rent was too high for one income.
“Peter? Are you up yet kiddo?” Peter gasped as his Uncle’s low rasp filtered through his closed door.
“Peter? Peter are you even listening to-“
“Sorry Ned, gotta go.” Peter cut off Ned, feeling a little bad, but really just needing to open his door and see if his ears were playing tricks on him. He hung up, throwing his phone back onto the nightstand and tumbling from his bed, lunging to the door and yanking it open.
In front of him stood Uncle Ben, his hand in the air from reaching for the door handle. Peter’s eyes filled with tears as he looked up at his uncle in disbelief, throwing himself into the man’s chest.
“Whoa, whoa Pete. Is everything okay?” Uncle Ben brought his hands up to wrap around Peter, one going straight to his curls. Peter inhaled deeply, bringing in the scent of his uncle who had been dead for two years. Wait… his uncle who had been dead for two years.
Peter jerked back, his eyes flickering all over Ben’s face. His vision was blurry like it was when he just woke up, and Peter pulled a fist up to rub at on eye.
“Pete, maybe you shouldn’t go on that field trip today, you’re acting kind of strange,” Ben spoke slowly, regarding his nephew warily.
“Field trip? What field trip?” Peter asked, tilting his head in confusion.
“The field trip to Oscorp? The one you haven’t stopped talking about for weeks?” Ben squinted at Peter, resting the back of his hand against his forehead. “Are you sick? May, can you grab the thermometer?” Ben called out over his shoulder.
The field trip.The spider at Oscorp. ’I’m giving you a second chance’. Peter gasped as he remembered what Dr. Strange had said. A second chance. Strange threw him into the past, before the spider bite, for a second chance.
Strange gave him a do-over.
“I’m fine!” Peter yelped, throwing his hands up. “I’m perfectly fine! Better than fine, actually.”
Ben looked wary, obviously still concerned but choosing to trust Peter. “Okaaay, then go grab your glasses and get dressed, you’re already running late as it is.” Ben turned to head down the hall to the kitchen, calling over his shoulder, “I’m making pancakes, so be quick.”
Peter broke into a smile. He couldn’t believe this. He got a second chance and he got Ben back? Sure he would miss not having to wear glasses and needing to carry an inhaler around, but he got his uncle back, and he wouldn’t cause Mr. Stark to get injured.
He was finally going to get to live a normal life.
-
“Ned you won’t believe the morning I’ve had.” Peter hissed as he came up behind Ned at his locker.
“You’re telling me, mom made her famous omelets this morning. Those are like, a national treasure. She doesn’t share the recipe with anyone.”
“No, Ned,” Peter pushed up his glasses (that was a weird thing to get re-used to), grabbing at Ned’s arm and shaking him, “I mean, I was just with Mr. Stark last night, but then I was back home and Dr. Strange said he was giving me a second chance, and now Uncle Ben is alive and I’m not Spiderman anymore!”
Ned blinked, his mouth ajar as he took it all in. “Okay, did May’s meatloaf poison you last night? Are you having hallucinations?” Ned squinted, “Also, what do you mean Ben is alive? And Mr. Stark and Dr. String?”
“Strange, Ned. Dr. Strange. He’s one of the Avengers, I think?” Peter shook his head, tugging Ned under the stairs. “I went on the field trip and got bit by a radioactive spider and became Spiderman, but then Mr. Stark got hurt so Dr. Strange sent me back in time for a do-over,” Peter whispered.
“Dude, you’re not making any sense. Maybe you should’ve stayed home today.” Ned said.
Peter groaned, “No, Ned. Ugh, never mind.” Peter huffed, turning around and stalking towards the bathroom doors, ignoring Ned's call after him.
Stalking over to the sinks, Peter turned the tap on cold and pulled off his glasses, splashing the water on his face and rubbing at his eyes. This was insane. How was this even possible?
“Mr. Parker.”
Peter yelped, jumping back and pushing his glasses back on. He looked up, Dr. Strange staring back at him from inside the mirror where his reflection was supposed to be. “What the-!”
“Are you enjoying life as a normal teenager?” Peter scowled, crossing his arms over his chest and sending a wary glance at the bathroom door.
“A little warning would’ve been nice, you know. Now Ned thinks I’m crazy.”
“Better crazy than dead I would say.” Dr. Strange retorted.
Peter rolled his eyes at the wizard. “You could’ve helped me out.”
“Please, it’s far more entertaining this way.” Peter groaned, spinning around to head back into the hall, but Dr. Strange’s voice stopped him. “Your uncle is back, Tony’s alive and well, and you get to live a normal teenage life.” Peter turned back. “You’re getting a second chance kid, use it wisely.”
“Don’t-!” Strange disappeared from within the mirror, a bright shine of orange shimmering into nothingness, “-call me that.” Peter groaned, throwing his hands up and turning back towards the door just as the final bell rang.
You're getting a second chance kid, use it wisely.
-
The field trip went on without a hitch, and Peter was almost able to live his life like a normal teenage kid.
The days flew by, and yeah, it was weird having Uncle Ben back, and even more weird not having Mr. Stark to bounce his ideas off of, or the other Avengers around for team dinners and movie nights- But! Peter was thankful that in this altered time, he was able to keep his family away from that fateful robbery and tip the police off to the robber. The man was caught before any harm could come from his actions, and no one was any wiser about Peter’s knowledge of the future.
The years went on, and Peter spent them building Legos with Ned, winning decathlon competitions, finally getting a normal date with Michelle - MJ - and spending holidays with his Aunt and Uncle.
There was that one awkward moment in the beginning when Peter was still figuring this whole sent-to-the-past thing out.
“Mr. Stark! Thank god, you have to help me!”
“Uh, Hap, why is there a child in front of me?”
Yeah. That didn’t go over well.
But things were pretty perfect, all things considering. His family was back together, Mr. Stark was healthy, and everything was great.
Until it all went to shit.
-
Peter was on the bus headed to MOMA, chatting with Ned and MJ about their next competition when he saw it.
Descending from the sky was the giant donut ship, the one that carried him and Mr. Stark into space and ultimate doom in his past life. Peter froze, a wave of fear washing over him.
“No… not again.”
MJ and Ned ceased their conversation, about to ask Peter what was wrong but followed his wide-eyed stare instead. Peter could hear MJ’s breath hitch, and distantly Ned saying they were all gonna die. But one thought was rushing through Peter’s mind.
Mr. Stark.
As soon as the bus was parked, Peter jumped off and ran toward the fight, ignoring his friends and teachers calling out for him to come back. The museum wasn’t far from the fight, and Peter ran as fast as he could, wishing now more than ever he still had his spider agility, even though he had been without it for nearly two years.
By the time Peter made it to Central Park, the alien guy was gone, and so was this time’s Dr. Strange. Peter ran up through the wreckage, trees tipped over and dirt ripped up from the ground. There were broken park benches scattered all over the grass, lamp posts tipped over. His eyes frantically searched the area, stopping when a shimmer of red and gold caught his eye.
Peter gasped, running over to where Mr. Stark was laying in a hole in the ground, pieces from the nano suit broken and scattered on the ground surrounding him along with parts from an electric post. The helmet was completely destroyed, leaving Tony’s head exposed and blood dripping from a cut on his forehead, his lip split, and bruises starting to form. The nanobots along his left arm were gone, seeming to have shifted to his right in the form of a blaster.
“No, no, no.” Peter pleaded as he slid onto his knees at Mr. Stark’s side. This couldn’t be happening, this wasn’t happening. “Mr. Stark? Please, Mr. Stark- wake up.” Tears started streaming down Peter's face, his hands frantically shifting from one part of Mr. Stark to the other, resting finally at his pulse point on his exposed wrist. He waited for the telltale thump thump of his heartbeat, but he felt nothing. “No-Mr. Stark-“ Peter choked his shaking hands feeling around his neck to be sure because this couldn’t be happening.
“Mr. Stark, you can’t..” Peter sobbed, folding his arms around himself, hugging tightly to form some type of comfort. “You can’t go, please…” Peter collapsed over Mr. Stark’s unmoving body, helplessness taking over.
“Strange! Anyone! Please… I can’t- I can’t do this anymore!” Peter threw his head back, an anguished scream tearing from his throat. This couldn’t be happening. He wanted his old life back. He wanted everything to go back to the way it was. This wasn’t fair. He was Spiderman, is Spiderman.
“Mr. Stark…” Peter’s breath hitched with his sobs, unable to pull in an even breath from his crying and his stupid asthma.
Finally calming enough to think straight, Peter wiped his eyes, pulling in a deep breath as he stood, backing away from his fallen mentor. “I am Spiderman, I-I know I’m Spiderman,” Peter mumbled. He looked down, searching for any sort of weapon, and landed on the broken end of a nanobot sword. It must have been detached from Mr. Stark’s suit in the fight.
Peter sniffed, trying to keep his tears at bay as he lifted the broken sword. “I am Spiderman, powers or not.”
“Now you're getting it.”
Peter spun around, sword held up and ready to fight. Dr. Strange stood in front of him, or what looked like Dr. Strange. The man had a light orange glow surrounding him, and he was hovering in the air. “What?” Peter whispered.
“Now you see.” At Peter’s confused look, Dr. Strange lowered himself to the ground and gestured to the carnage surrounding them. “Whether or not you are Spider-Man, Thanos will come, and he will destroy everything and everyone you love.”
Peter’s eyes dropped, understanding washing over him as he looked back at his unmoving father figure. At least before, Tony still had a fighting chance. Looking back at Dr. Strange Peter bit his lip. “I… I think I understand now.” He sighed, staring at the sword in his hands. “What do I do?”
Dr. Strange shrugged, “Now, you have a choice to make. Continue living what you have left of this normal life with your alive Uncle but dead mentor,” Peter winced, shrinking back, and Dr. Strange’s voice softened, “or come back home and be with Stark.”
Peter looked up at Dr. Strange, his decision already made clear on his face. Dr. Strange nodded and raised his hand to Peter’s temple. With a gentle tap, Peter squeezed his eyes shut as the world spun and he was flung back into his chair.
Opening his eyes, Peter’s breath hitched as he realized he was back in the medbay with Mr. Stark still laying on the bed. Peter’s eyes once more filled with tears, and he grabbed one of Mr. Stark’s hands to hold in his. Out of the corner of his eye, he watched Dr. Strange get up to leave. “Wait.”
Dr. Strange paused, turning back to Peter under the arch of the door. Peter met his gaze head-on. “Thank you, for that. For showing me what I would have missed, what would have changed.”
“Of course Peter,” Dr. Strange nodded, “just never forget how much you mean to him.” He pointed at Mr. Stark’s unconscious figure. “This team would collapse without you here to keep him in line.”
-