Chapter 2
Peter smiled as he watched Mayday swipe at a few toys MJ held dangling above her. "She's so smart. I bet she's gonna be able to start rolling over any moment now."
MJ smiled back. "Yeah, she's our little genius, aren't you?" Mayday cooed back.
Upon hearing her name, everyone had adored it, but none more than May. She was excited to share at least in part her name with her granddaughter, whom she visited almost any chance she could get.
Tony visited often as well, holding Mayday as he read books on complex topics in engineering and biotechnology to her. "What?", he had said one day at Peter's amused expression. "You gotta teach them young."
Peter smiled as he watched MJ and Mayday interact, heart warm at having his own little family. "Hey," he said. "Imagine she had superpowers like me."
MJ gave him a look. "Don't even say that. I don't think I could handle the stress of having two superheroes out there running around getting into who knows what kind of trouble."
Peter laughed. "Yeah, you're right. Although our team ups would be insane. Imagine Mayday climbing on the walls." They both laughed at the image, Mayday smiling too when she heard their laughter.
Peter sighed. "I didn't think it was possible to love someone this much. She's just perfect." MJ beamed. "Yeah. She really is."
A few months later, Steve found himself surrounded by a multitude of drones ravaging damage in New York. There was no clue as to where they came from, but the damage they were causing was catastrophic.
It was assumed to be a targeted attack, as their precision was accurate as they released fire at large buildings and cars with powerful 'laser' beams.
Steve had sent out an emergency call to the Avengers, who had all gotten there as quickly as they could. Peter arrived last, flipping onto the scene. He rushed over to where the group was huddled behind a damaged car.
"Queens, you're just in time. We've moved out as many people as we can from the area. There's only a few people left in that skyscraper to the left. Sam and Bucky will be moving people out of there. The rest of us will be taking out these drones before they move to somewhere else."
The team all answered in varying murmers of assent. "Alright then," Steve replied. "Let's go get 'em team."
They rushed out, charging the scene. Peter effortlessly shot out a web at one drone, yanking it down to the ground, sending it shattering into pieces.
"Good to have you back, man!" Clint shouted from besides him as they both shot at various drones.
"Thanks!"
"How does it feel being a dad?! Crazy, right?"
"Yeah, more stressful than this, that's for sure!"
Clint laughed as Peter took off after another drone.
Tony shot out at a passing drone, shooting a quick glance at Peter to ensure he was ok. The vigilante hadn't been on the last couple of missions with them, sticking mainly to solo patrols as he focused more time on adjusting to being a father. Having him return felt reassuring yet nerve-wracking.
Natasha shot at a drone before quickly facing Tony. "Don't worry so much Tony. He's alright!"
"Gone are the days when Tony didnt have to worry about being a helicopter parent," Rhodey joked.
Tony rolled his eyes before blasting off to the next target.
As the hour passed, the team cut down significantly on the number of drones. Less than half remained.
Peter brought down a drone, hearing a crack, satisfied that he disarmed it. Nearby, Clint was drawing back an arrow to shoot at a drone. As the arrow left his hand, another drone rushed towards him on his right.
Peter's senses warned him. He whirled around to face the archer, seeing the scene play out before him in what seemed like slow motion.
"Clint!," he shouted. He leapt towards him, tackling the man down just as the drone he thought he had broken shot out a laser beam, hitting Peter in the square of his back and out his chest.
He fell to his knees, aware of a sharp stinging pain. His heart felt as if it was on fire as he opened his mouth in an attempt to draw a breath. He gasped, black dots spotting his vision as he collapsed.
Clint pushed himself off the ground, turning around to see Peter laying on the ground, bleeding profusely.
"Peter!", he shouted. He turned Peter around to lay on his back, met with Peter's rapidly whitening face.
Peter gasped again, attempting to speak but unable to. A large wound was at the center of his chest, bleeding significantly.
"Help!" Clint shouted. "Please, someone help! Peter's been hit!"
Tony's blood froze as he heard Clint's yell.
He turned, seeing Peter on the ground. "No, no, no," he whispered, flying off immediately towards him. "Peter," he breathed out upon reaching him. Peter looked at him, breathing in short frantic inhales, a terrified look in his eyes.
"Friday, what do I do?!" Tony frantically asked. Steve rushed right behind him as she spoke. "Put pressure on the wound! He's bleeding out! He needs medical attention now!!"
Steve immediately rushed forward, placing his hands firmly on Peter's injury. "Stay with me Queens! Tony, you've gotta take the jet to the Tower. If you fly him yourself, he'll bleed out with no one putting pressure."
Tony's hands shook as he neared Peter. "I'll carry him, you keep putting pressure Rogers." Steve nodded as Tony picked up Peter. Together, they ran to the jet.
"Hold on, Pete. Just hold on," Tony begged. They loaded Peter into the jet, Tony now putting pressure as Steve took pilot, flying off to the Tower.
"You just stay awake Peter, ok?" Peter's eyes met his, a mix of pain and eery acceptance in his expression. "You're ok. You're ok. I'm right here."
"Tony," he gasped out. "Please-", he was cut off by a sharp stab of pain. He scrunched his eyes as he tried to hold in a groan. "You're ok," Tony gently answered, trying to hide the panic in his tone. "I've got you."
They reached the tower, met immediately by Cho's medical team. "Please, help him," Tony cried out as they took the vigilante from him, wheeling him into surgery.
Tony ran after them, watching from the glass window outside the surgical room. Steve followed, holding a firm hand on Tony's shoulder for support.
The monitor connected to Peter showed his rapidly increasing heart rate. Cho shouted out frantically as they attempted to stop the bleeding from the front and back of Peter's wound.
"Come on, Pete, come on," Tony whispered. His heart beat in his chest rapidly as he watched intensely. Cho glanced at Peter's heart rate before shouting again at her team.
Whatever she said was gibberish to Tony, eyes locked on Peter as he was now unconscious, limp as the medical team worked fiercely on mending him.
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Peter wasn't sure exactly how he had gotten hurt. All he knew was one moment he had been pushing Clint out of the way, and the next a laser beam had shot through him.
The pain had been immense. Nothing he had ever felt before. Just taking a breath required utmost effort, with each inhale and exhale sending sharp shards of pain into his chest.
As he lay on the rough gravel, he was aware of something warm rushing out of him. He hadn't have to think much to realize what it was.
Strong hands had gripped him and flipped him back, and he was suddenly met with the terrified expression of Clint.
Peter opened his mouth to speak, but found the pain was too much. He could only offer a pitiful gasp, which seemed to scare the archer even more.
The man began screaming out something, but to Peter it sounded far away, almost as if underwater. Peter blinked, attempting to steel himself, to not allow himself to be dragged into unconsciousness.
Suddenly Tony and Steve's faces replaced Clint's as they hovered above him. A sudden wave of guilt hit Peter as he noted the panic etched into every one of Tony's features.
It felt harder to breathe, but for his family he had to hold on. Tony spoke, the noises coming out muffled.
Suddenly Steve was pressing his hands down on Peter's chest. Peter grimaced as it felt like he had been electrocuted with pain at the pressure. A tear slipped out as he attempted to steady his pained breathing.
Then Tony was lifting him, Peter faintly aware of him begging him to hold on. The outside wold of smoke and noise was replaced by the gentle hum of an engine as Tony entered the jet, laying Peter down on the floor gently.
Steve ran out of sight, Tony now putting pressure, words of reassurance spilling out of him, uncharacteristically scared and unsure. By now, the dark tendrils of unconsciousness began curling around at the edge of Peter's vision.
The pain was unrelenting. Peter knew what was happening; he could feel himself physically slipping away; he was dying. He hated himself for not being more careful the way everyone had begged him to. Hated himself for thinking he could survive something like this. Now he was leaving his family behind. He needed to make sure they'd be ok. Needed to make sure this wouldn't destroy them beyond repair. Needed to say sorry, let them know how much he loved them.
He strained, pushing himself with everything he had to speak. "Tony," he gasped out, the man staring at him, with a pained expression. "Please-"
Please don't think it was your fault. Please don't think I'd blame you. Please look after May, after MJ, after Mayday. Please don't think I don't love you all.
A sharp torrent of pain stopped him from saying the rest. Hopefully Tony would understand. Tony offered more words of comfort, Peter attempting to let them soothe him.
The hum of the engine was replaced by shouting voices as he was vaguely aware of being surrounded by a group of nurses and Dr. Cho, Tony now longer in view.
He felt himself being moved away. A mask was slipped over him, while the team moved rapidly around him.
By now the pain had faded. He felt as if he was almost detached from his surroundings. The black tendrils from before moved quickly, and then everything was dark.
A pause, and then suddenly he was thrust into a warm white.
He blinked in surprise. He was standing now, no pain at all. He looked down at himself to see no wound from before marking his chest. He twisted himself to glance at his back to confirm there was nothing there either.
He glanced around to see no walls, no ceiling, just pure white surrounding him.
As he took it all in, he heard footsteps moving towards him. In his heart, he knew who it was before he turned to see him. He swivled to see a figure growing closer.
Uncle Ben.
Peter stilled. He felt as if he would drop as he took in the familar sight he had achingly missed so much. His warm expression he always carried. The gray speckled throughout his hair that May had teased him about. The strong shoulders that had carried Peter countless times as a child. His bright eyes that twinkled with mischief and joy.
Peter's mouth opened, yet he felt himself unable to speak. Ben moved closer until he was merely a foot away.
"Hey kiddo," he gently said. Peter stood frozen, still in disbelief. Tears filled his eyes when finally he found he could speak.
"Ben," he croaked out.
"Pete," Ben answered, and then Peter was throwing himself into his arms.
Ben chuckled, the sound sending a warm feeling shooting throughout Peter. "I missed you so much," Peter whispered. "I'm so sorry. I'm sorry for-". Ben shushed him. "It wasn't your fault. Any of it. I never blamed you. Never."
"But-"
"No buts, kiddo. I'm so proud of you. So proud of the man you've become." Peter smiled, content to spend the rest of his days here in Ben's warm embrace. For years he had carried the guilt of losing Ben. Now, he had heard the words he had yearned to hear for so long. It healed something in him.
He listened to the soothing sound of Ben's steady heartbeat as he leaned against him. He pulled back slightly after a bit, facing Ben. "You ready?" Ben asked gently.
Peter turned back, worry creeping in. As if he could read his mind, Ben spoke.
"They'll be ok, Pete. I know, it's hard. Trust me, I know. But they'll be ok. They've got each other to help them get through."
At this, the worry slowly slipped out. He turned to face Ben, searching his face for any hesitance or doubt. Instead he was met with a reassuring gaze on his face, a look in his eyes of grief yet understanding. Peter nodded.
"Ok. I'm ready."
Ben offered a gentle smile, looping his arm across Peter's back as they walked off together. "I'm so proud of you kid. You did good down there."
A loud noise had Tony turning, revealing Peter's flatline on the monitor. "No," Tony whispered. His legs went weak, threatening to give out. Steve gripped him by his shoulders tightly.
Cho immediately dove into CPR. Tony watched, leaning against the window for support as they tried again and again to resuscitate Peter.
Time crawled on as Cho tried repeatedly, and then one last time, tears streaming down her face. She took one final look at the monitor to see the flatline remained. She stopped, head hanging low. "Time of death-"
The rest of her sentence was lost on Tony as his legs gave out, falling on his knees.
He gasped, trying to breathe but feeling suffocated.
"Tony!", Steve shouted, his voice sounding muted and tinny to Tony.
"Tell them to try again," he gasped out. "What?", Steve asked. "Tell them to try again," he croaked, lurching himself up.
He banged on the glass window as the medical team began removing the various tubes and wires from Peter, Cho headed their way.
"Stop!" Tony shouted. "Try again! Bring him back!" Steve pulled him away from the window. "Tony, you have to stop!"
At the sight of Cho walking towards him, Tony growled. "You monster! You let him die! How could you let him die?!" "Tony, I'm so sorry," Cho whispered.
Steve held Tony tightly as he thrashed against him. "You let him die! You let him die!" His heart beat rapidly; he felt his vision go spotty before passing out, a cry in his throat.