Work Text:
TW: MCD
Peter became aware of his surroundings quickly. He was strapped to an operating table in what looked like a decrepit hospital that should have been condemned years ago. He isn't wearing his mask or suit. He can't move his head much as his forehead is strapped down too. He starts to try to break out of his bindings when he feels someone put their hand on his chest to stop him. Turning his head as much as he can, he sees the face of the criminal that he had been helping Mr Stark take down. He instinctively starts looking for him when the criminal starts to speak.
“Don’t worry, your precious Iron Man is strapped to the table next to you. However, unfortunately for him, he doesn't have your healing ability so he's still unconscious.”
Peter goes back to trying to break out of his binding only to realise he's been strapped down with Vibranium.
“Oh don't tell me you want to leave already. I haven't even told you the fun part yet. You both have been trying to stop my chemical experiments but you don't even know what I have been working on. However, as I'm a nice person, I'll give you first-hand knowledge. See I already know what it does to an average human so it would be boring to give it to Stark over there but I’ve always wanted to know how quickly the effects would manifest in a mutant. So it's your choice who gets it. I'll even let the other person go free at the end of the experiment.”
Peter takes one look at the vial in the criminal’s hand before he stops fighting and holds his arm out. The criminal smirks and injects the liquid. The only thing that Peter notices is that the liquid is very cold which causes him to shiver slightly.
“I knew you’d understand. The longest a normal human has survived is 20 minutes after injection. With your abilities, you might last an hour. I look forward to finding out. Hell, you might even get the chance to say goodbye if Stark wakes up in time.” The criminal starts to walk out of the room before turning back around. “I'll be back to check on your progress in 20 minutes, try not to die before then. Also just in case you think about trying anything stupid, there are cameras everywhere.”
After he has left the room, Peter starts calling out to Mr Stark to try to get him to wake up. He knows he should stay calm as panicking raises his heart rate which increases the speed at which the liquid goes through his bloodstream but he is worried about his mentor. Even so, he forces himself to focus on Mr Stark’s heartbeat. He would know it anywhere so he can tell that it sounds normal so hopefully, that means he will wake up soon.
After about 10 minutes, he can hear his mentor starting to move so he goes to start talking to him. However, as soon as he opens his mouth, he is aware how dry it is and starts coughing. This gets Mr Stark’s attention.
“Peter? Is that you? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, just have a bit of a dry throat.”
“If you’re sure that’s all it is, then that's fine. Do you know where we are?”
“The criminal knocked us out and strapped us in some kind of abandoned hospital. He should be back in about 5-10 minutes.”
“He’s already been in? Did he say anything?”
“Not much. He just wants to test his latest creation on one of us.”
“Okay, let me do the talking and I’ll get you out of this safe, Pete.”
“Mr Stark, I won't let him give you anything. Besides it's too late, I already let him give it to me.”
“YOU WHAT?!?! Peter, what were you thinking? You have no idea what some random substance will do to you.”
“Maybe, but I know what it would’ve done to you and I won't let that happen!”
“Oh, isn't this just so precious, arguing over who gets to die? So touching.” The criminal claps mockingly as though he is enjoying the show. Peter glares at him which makes him smirk victoriously. “You already have a dry mouth which is the first stage but as you are glaring at me, you obviously haven't got the blurry vision yet so this is going to be very interesting for me to watch.” He leaves the room again.
“Pete, don't worry. I'll get out of my bindings and then I’ll get you out.”
“No, they are watching. If you get yourself out, leave. The substance may take longer to work but it will likely still kill me.” Peter’s voice catches but he continues, “You need to get yourself to safety and not worry about me.”
“Peter Benjamin Parker, I will always worry about you and there is no way that I am going to leave you here alone. My restraints look like I could probably break them.”
Peter can hear him trying to break free but he doesn't seem to be having much success. As he's listening, his eyes start to hurt, so he closes them for a few seconds. When he opens them, his vision is blurry so he blinks to try to clear them hoping that this isn't the second phase but when it doesn't work, he knows it is.
“Mr Stark? I'm in phase two.”
“Shit!”
This time Peter hears the footsteps of the criminal coming back in.
“Did I hear the words ‘phase two’? Delightful. The subject reached phase two 33 minutes after injection. Do be a dear and let me know when your heart rate starts slowing down so I can note that too.” He moves so he is standing in front of Mr Stark’s bed. “I told your little protege there that I would let you go once my experiment was finished. Don't make me a liar by punishing you.”
As soon as the criminal is out of earshot, Mr Stark starts moving again.
“Mr Stark, stop. You heard him, he will let you go.”
“Peter, don't be naive. He was never going to let me go and even if he was the next stage has your heart slowing down. I need to get you to Helen before that happens.”
He continues to squirm until Peter hears a snap and then the sound of belts being unbuckled. He can hear his mentor walk over to his bed but all he can see is a mess of colours. He is aware of Mr Stark trying to find the keys when he hears multiple footsteps approaching. He tries to tell him to hide or flee but he is too late. He can hear the sounds of a struggle before finally hearing the criminal speak.
“I really was going to let you leave after you watch your protege die while you can do nothing but watch. However, now you will suffer the same fate as him.” Peter can hear him open a drawer as he says, “Hold him still while I inject him. If he's lucky he might die at the same time as Spider-Man or earlier so he won't have to watch his failure. Strap him down on the same bed as Spider-Man. I'll be merciful and let them die holding each other.”
Peter feels Mr Stark being thrown on top of him and strapped down. He has to swallow a few times but he manages to say, “It's not your fault. I’m sorry I let you down.”
“No, Pete, you could never let me down. I'm sorry I couldn't be a better mentor for you. I promised I would do my best to keep you safe but I failed at that just like I fail at everything I do.”
“You are not a failure. You have taken care of me, you make sure I do my homework, you give me somewhere safe to go after patrol and you never make me feel bad for being myself. You are more than a mentor to me. I love you.”
Mr Stark goes to reply but has to clear his throat first. Peter can feel his stomach drop as he knows that Mr Stark is in stage one.
After clearing his throat, Mr Stark says, “I love you too kid. I never thought I would want to have anything to do with kids as I didn't want to turn out like my father. However, you made me believe that I could be more than what everyone expected me to be. I can never thank you enough for that.”
Peter goes to reply but starts to yawn. Mr Stark’s voice catches as he speaks, “Go to sleep, Pete. When you wake everything will be better. I'll be there with you and we can go on our next adventure together.”
Peter allows his eyes to close for the last time knowing that they could face the next adventure together, not as Iron Man and Spider-Man but as Tony Stark and Peter Parker.