Chapter Text
Peter had always been familiar with death. His parents, Uncle Ben, May… It seemed as though everyone he had ever cared about had been taken from him.
He could remember the Snap vividly—the way his body clung desperately to Tony’s as he slowly began to crumble away, piece by piece. The way Tony’s heartbeat stopped for what felt like three agonizing minutes before he was somehow brought back to life.
But now, his identity—his very existence in the eyes of the world—would be erased. The people he never thought he would have to say goodbye to; Ned, MJ, Tony—would hear him say goodbye without even remembering it afterward.
He had tried his best not to break down the moment he said goodbye to Ned and MJ. The way their eyes widened in shock, followed by immediate denial, was something Peter swore he would see in his dreams for years to come.
Peter was on his way to Stark Tower, knowing that Tony had just returned home after nearly a year of treatment in Wakanda.
Through the window, he could see the man in the lab. The left side of Tony’s face was darker than the right, the lingering effects of his injuries still visible even after months of advanced treatment. His new metal arm caught the light—a prosthetic that the entire Avengers team had poured their time, knowledge, and effort into creating, their way of showing just how much they appreciated the sacrifice he had made to save them.
Peter pressed himself against the window, producing a soft thud.
Tony immediately snapped his head toward the sound. He let out a tired breath before saying something, presumably asking FRIDAY to open the window.
The window beside Peter opened after a moment, and he hurried inside.
“Tony, I—”
Peter was cut off when Tony pulled him into a tight embrace, one hand rubbing the back of his head as he murmured words of reassurance.
“Oh, Peter. I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry I wasn’t here for you.” Tony rambled, his voice unusually gentle.
Peter stood there awkwardly for a moment, suppressing a sob before eventually returning the embrace.
Tony sighed. “I’m sorry about what happened with May. And the whole identity reveal thing. FRIDAY tried to take down all the videos that were being shared on social media, but it was already spreading like wildfire. There wasn’t much we could do.”
Peter let out a shaky breath and pulled away, looking directly at Tony.
“Tony, it’s okay. I swear.” Peter managed to get the words out, his voice cracking.
Tony looked sad—devastated, even. Peter wanted to blurt everything out and get it over with, but there was something in Tony’s expression that made it impossible. Pity. Concern. And Peter could have sworn there were tears gathering in Tony’s eyes.
“Listen, Pete, we’ll host a nice fune—”
Peter flinched at the mention of a funeral for May. Before he could think better of it, he cut Tony off.
“Tony, you’re—”
He stuttered, and the slight confusion on Tony’s face made Peter want to turn around, find Stephen, and beg him to cancel the spell.
Peter sucked in a shaky breath.
“You’re going to forget about me.”
Tony stared at him.
“Aboit Peter Parker. Not Spider-Man.” Peter’s voice trembled as the words finally began spilling out. “I asked Doctor Strange to erase my identity so those villains—” He gestured toward the sky, where cracks of purple light still lingered between the clouds. “—so they wouldn’t come here. So they wouldn’t make things even worse. I—”
Peter's voice caught in his throat.
“I’m sorry.” he spat out.
Tony’s expression grew even more confused as he slowly processed Peter’s words. And Peter could have sworn he saw fear in the man’s eyes.
“Peter, what—? Is this a prank?” Tony blurted. “Please tell me it’s a prank.”
He fell silent when he saw the look on Peter’s face.
“You aren’t joking.”
Peter nodded, doing his best to suppress his tears.
If Tony hadn’t already been on the verge of tears, he certainly was now.
“What? Peter, no!” Tony’s voice rose. “We’ll fight off those villains from the other dimensions or whatever. Call Strange. Get him here. I’m—”
“You can’t, Tony!” Peter shouted, cutting him off again. “He’s already doing the spell. I can’t even ask him to cancel it if I wanted to!”
The words left Peter’s mouth before he could stop them.
He immediately regretted shouting.
Tony stared at him, stunned. His expression was a mixture of fear, anger, and grief.
“Yes, we can! You can’t leave, Peter!”
Tony stepped closer and placed both hands on Peter’s shoulders.
“You can’t leave! I-I’ll learn magic. I’ll make the spell myself if I have to. I swear on my life, Peter!” Tony’s voice cracked. “You’re important to me. To all of us!”
Peter tried his best not to break down.
Tony looked utterly heartbroken. Tears slipped down his cheeks as he stared at Peter.
“You can’t leave me.” His voice dropped to barely a whisper.
“Not again.”
The words twisted something inside Peter’s chest.
They stood there for a moment, neither of them saying anything.
Then Peter finally broke the silence.
“I’m sorry, Tony.”
Before Tony could react, Peter shot a web at him, pinning him to the floor.
It was an aggressive move. Peter knew that.
But it would take Tony time to get himself free.
And Peter didn’t have time.
“Peter! Fuck—Peter, fucking listen to me!”
Tony shouted from the floor as Peter wiped his eyes. He glanced toward the window he had entered through, only to find it already closed—the moment he had entered the lab, FRIDAY had sealed it shut.
“FRIDAY, open the win—”
“No! FRIDAY, do not listen to anything Peter tells you to do!”
Tony's voice cut him off.
Peter looked back at the man on the floor.
Tony's eyes were red, tears streaming down his face. He looked utterly desperate as he stared at Peter, his mouth opening and closing as though he couldn't quite find the words.
“Peter, please, kid.”
His voice was gentle now, almost pleading.
“Don’t leave me.”
Peter was crying uncontrollably by then, tears streaming down his face as he struggled to catch his breath.
“I’m sorry.” Peter whispered.
Peter looked at Tony for a moment longer. The sight of him alive—hurt more than Peter expected.
Years ago, Peter had clung to Tony without knowing it would be the last time.
This time, he knew exactly what he was doing.
Then he turned toward the window behind him.
Before he could think twice, Peter braced himself and crashed straight through the glass.
As he webbed away from the all-too-familiar Stark Building, Peter swore he could still hear Tony shouting his name.
Over and over again.
Peter didn't dare look back.