The Dust Settles
Debris fluttered in the sky as the roar of the Iron Man suit echoed over the city. Clint and Nat evacuated most of Manhattan just as the fight entered Queens. Loki was back again with his own army of undead soldiers, straight from Valhalla. The hideous monsters preyed over the city and destroyed the buildings, their dead green eyes scaring civilians and their mighty swords swung and destroyed all that they touched. The dust and concrete floated in the sky as people ran faster, some hiding in near by buildings as Clint shot his arrows and Nat sent her blasters at them. The green ghostly zombies charged towards Captain America and Thor, standing in the center of a road. "Looks like they're lining up" Thor smiled, swinging Mjölnir and conducting electricity. "Well, they're excited." Thor pounds on Steve's shield with his hammer and the force knocks down all the soldiers. They high fived as a green roar of rage leaped overhead and pounded on a soldier on a building. "Keep them contained, keep the damage contained" Tony barked through the comms as he blasted at the larger warriors. "Find Loki, take the scepter, finish off his army" Thor ordered as hew flew off.
As the fight got closer and deeper into Queens, the damage became more heavy. Buildings were crumbled, streets were ripped, structures collapsed. While many of the families inside escaped with no or little injury, 1 family was not so fortunate. As one of the monsters destroyed an apartment complex, crumbling and collapsing, May Parker held a little bundle in her arms. She was the only barrier between concrete and framing and the child in her arms. She had lost so much within the past year: her bother and sister-in-law, even her own husband. Yet she stayed strong and put on a happy face just to raise her nephew. But now the little boy wailed loudly at the commotion, he was clueless to the attack on his home and she could only do so much. She tried to find a way out when the ceiling collapsed onto of them. The boy did receive a nasty graze on his cheek but his aunt was trapped under the building. He cried out as a pool of crimson spilled from her head and her legs were almost torn from her body. Surprisingly, May was still alive, but just barely. "Peter...." she coughed out and clutched the crying boy weakly, trying desperately to stay awake to comfort him.
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"Sir, structure collapse on 15th street by the army. Many individuals were injured but 2 civilians remain trapped underneath rubble" Jarvis showed surveillance of the area, revealing as first responders and good Samaritans attempted to dig through to get to the aunt and child. "With gas pipes leaking, not only is the air poisoning the both parties, but the chance of combustion has increased by 59%" Tony huffed and flew over. From below, fighting along the spy, archer, scientist, and prince, Steve left his orders as the army got smaller "Stark, I'm on my way, you'll need back up." He looked to the team. "The rest of you, finish up. Try to limit casualties and show them what you're made of. Barton, I want you on that roof, eyes on everything. Call out patterns and strays. Thor, you've gotta try and slow them down. You've got the lightning. Light the bastards up. Nat, stay here on the ground, keep the fighting here. And Hulk...SMASH." The super soldier ran after his husband. Tony smirked at his tail and sped to the scene.
They rendezvous and fought their way through the crowd, shouting for everyone to distance themselves from the danger and stay hidden from the monsters. Tony used his heat sensors to guide them to May and Peter. They blasted shielded from falling concrete, Steve getting a nasty gash on his side but he pushed through. They finally made it to the weakened family, barely crying or breathing. "Cap! When I lift the wall, grab them and run like hell!" He pushed on the wall with all his might, freeing May from her trap. Steve picked them up and maneuvered his way through the jagged building parts as it began to rumble and collapse. He made it out and placed them out of harm's way. Steve helped May on the stretcher and tried to comfort the little one enough so a paramedic could help. Peter looked to the hero who saved his aunt and he clung tight. Steve smiled softly. "You're alright tough guy." He looked back at the rubble and began to worry. "Tony!" he cried out when he noticed his husband wasn't behind him. Inside, Tony was starting to blast his way through until Jarvis came up again. "Sir the repulsion is beginning to react with the gas." he warned. As the rubble grew warmer, a flame sparked and the once tall apartment complex exploded. Steve helped the bystanders and responders get to safety as the building flamed. His heart dropped. He ran to the entrance of the debris. "Tony!!!" They crowd held their breath, waiting for a sign of Iron Man. Out like a rocket flew Tony, causing the crowd to cheer. He flew down to Steve and removed his mask, revealing a cheeky smile."Did you worry?" He asked, getting his answer when Steve threw himself into his arms and kissed him deeply. "Don't ever do that again" Steve pulled away. A quinjet roared overhead and landed in a nearby intersection. Clint, Nat, Thor and Bruce (not hulk) emerged from the jet, pointing to an injured and handcuffed Loki. "The monster's have been defeated!" Thor bellowed. All the children from the crowd ran up to the heroes, thanking them...all the children except one.
Peter sat on the stretcher next to his aunt, sobbing and gripping to her hand. May squeezed his hand and weakly opened her eyes. "My little Peter Rabbit...you hold so much bravery for such a small boy" She wiped his chubby cheeks and closed her eyes. A woman from social services came and grabbed him as the paramedics wheeled May into an ambulance and drove off. Peter wailed loudly as the only family he had left was gone. Tony heard the cries and looked over at the dusty and bloody baby. Steve noticed and his heart shattered. "He was the civilian with the woman we rescued." He said sadly. The other Avengers watched and heard the boy crying and wheezing. The soldier took a deep breathe and walked over to the social worker, surprising the team. "Excuse me... Do you mind if I hold him?" Steve asked as the Avengers followed behind. The agent's badge shined as she turned to face the taller man. "Captain. You were the one to save him weren't you?" Steve nodded, his sky blue eyes, not leaving the boy. She handed him gently to Steve, who instantly warmed up to him. "Poor kid. He's been through a lot" Steve watched as the helpless little boy stopped crying and curled up in his arms. "I'll bet. You were very brave" He whispered to him, chuckling when he heard a hiccup. Tony and the others surrounded the soldier and toddler, cooing and taking turns holding the sniffly baby. "What's his name?" Tony asked as he awkwardly held him. "His name is Peter Parker. Investigation shows he's no older than 2 and the the woman he was with was the only relative he had." The Avengers grew mute upon hearing the news. Tony gave him back to the worker and cleared his throat. "What's going to happen to him?" The worker rocked Peter gently and sighed. "He'll be going to the foster system until and if his aunt stabilizes." Natasha broke the silence following the response. "And if she doesn't?" "If she doesn't make it, I'm afraid Peter will have to stay in the orphanage" She explained. Tony was heartbroken. He looked over at Steve and an idea hatched in his head. He would have to discuss with Steve later. "Fingers crossed that this little guy has a happy ending" Bruce smiled. The others said good bye and headed to the jet. Tony lingered and watched Peter. he cleared his throat a bit and sighed. "Well, I would like to keep updated on this family..." He mumbled softly. "Oh! Well this is very surprising but you may stay in touch with the Parker's. Here is my card for any questions or concerns you may have." Tony took the card and nodded. "Thank you...Maria Hill" He looked over at the toddler one last time before he left with the team on the quinjet.
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Back at the tower, the team of superheroes began to wind down for the day. Thor would be returning to Asgard with Loki the next day and after a day of turmoil, they agreed a sleepover that Stark tower would definitely strengthen their bond. Tony opened up his tower to allow the heroes to bunk in the guest rooms (Loki would stay in a cell until tomorrow). They got dressed in their pjs, ate some dinner, and got to know each other little more. Steve smiled but when he looked to his husband, his face went serious.
1 AM hit and the team slowly retreated to their rooms. Steve laid in bed with Tony, who was buried in his phone. Steve snapped to get his attention and chuckled when Tony flinched. "Ok, something's wrong" Steve smiled as he wrapped his arms around the smaller man. Tony scoffed nervously. "I don't know what you're talking about Capsicle" he lied. Steve rolled his eyes. "We had a roomful of heroes and not once did you finish your alcohol nor did you brag about yourself." Tony's cheeks grew red ash continued reading whatever was on his phone. "Hey...look at me, honey" Steve made Tony face him and planted a kiss on his lips. "Whatever has you this quiet, I want to know too. I know today was very...traumatizing to say the least...but I want to help you honey. I want to listen" Tony sighed and swallowed a lump in his throat as he pulled away from Steve's safe and comforting hold. He took a deep breath and showed him what he was reading on his phone. On the screen was a website for adoption and fostering agencies. "Steve...Let's talk about a family..."