Chapter 2
“Tones! Wake up, man!”
He came to with a gasp. “Rh-rhodey! No, no, nonono, Peter- Peter, I-I need to save him- I need him- gotta get to Peter, please- please, I can’t lose him-”
“Whoa, Tony! Calm down, what do you mean? Peter’s okay, man, you’re not gonna lose him.”
“N-no, no, Peter, Rhodey I need to find Peter- I need to save him, Rhodey, please.” Tony staggered to his feet.
No no no please not his baby
Rhodey and Cho watch worriedly as Tony raced from the room.
“What the hell happened?”
“Peter’s dying,” Cho said bluntly.
“What?”
~~~~~
Tony sprinted to his kid, throwing open the door to his bedroom. “Peter!” He pulled the half-asleep boy into his lap. “Oh god, oh my god, Peter, no, nononono, I can’t lose you please. Please, I- I can’t, I need you- please-”
“Mr. Stark!” Peter cut him off. “Mr. Stark, it’s okay! Don’t worry, I’m here, I’m fine, you’re not gonna lose me. It’s okay. It’s okay, Mr. Stark.”
But it wasn’t okay
Oh god, Peter was dying
His baby was fucking dying
Tony squeezed him tight, choking on a sob. Peter hugged him back.
“Mr. Stark, what’s wrong?” he whispered.
“P-Peter- god, no, no, I got you sweetheart, I’m not losing you. I can’t, I can’t.”
“Mr. Stark, take a deep breath!” Peter instructed. “It’s okay. You won’t lose me, I’m right here. Don’t cry.”
Tony pressed a firm kiss to his curls, cradling him close.
He would not let go
He wouldn’t let anyone take his kid
~~~~~
He was dying, Cho explained.
Tony shook his head frantically, rocking Peter back and forth.
No, it wasn’t possible
Peter leaned into his touch, whispering a soft “Oh.”
He kissed Peter’s cheek. “L-listen to me, kiddo,” he choked. “I will not let you go. Ever. You’re gonna be okay. I’ll fix this. I won’t let you go.”
Tears dampened his sweatshirt. “Shh, baby, don’t cry. I won’t let anything happen to you. It’s okay, you’re okay, Petey.”
Peter sniffed, squeezing Tony’s torso so hard he could barely breathe. “I’m scared.”
Tony cupped his cheek, looking into his blank eyes. “I know baby. I know, I know. But I won’t anything happen, okay? You’re gonna be okay.”
God, he was terrified.
~~~~~
Peter flinched violently when May, Clint and Nat burst through the door. Tony glared at them furiously.
“Peter- oh god, honey, no,” May whispered. “Oh Lord.”
“May!” Peter said, looking in her general direction. “May, it’s okay. I’m gonna be fine.”
“Oh honey.” She pulled him into a tight hug.
Tony wiped the tears stains from his face and smoothed Peter’s hair. “We’re gonna be okay.”
Natasha stepped forward, eyes worried. “маленького паучка? You better be okay. Or no more chocolate pudding.”
Peter grinned at her. “I won’t, мама паук. Don’t w-worry-”
Tony lunged forward as Peter fell to his knees, coughing heavily.
“Peter- Peter, kiddo, whoa-”
He gasped as Peter went limp in his arms.