Chapter 13
Two years, three months, and sixteen days is all the time they’ve had thus far – time spent with their heads bent over their respective projects, calling out formulas at random, elbows-deep in whatever scientific advancement they’re focused on; sometimes, Tony would help Peter with his homework, whether it meant talking to him only in Spanish on some days, or reading up on every history book concerning the War of 1812, or even if it meant pushing him a little harder than Tony would have liked, because Peter had to be better than him, and Peter already was better than him.
And Peter was exactly what Tony needed, a refreshing breath of air – he looked up to Tony, but more than that, he helped him through his mistakes, and he helped Tony bake cookies, and they celebrated Christmas together and went Christmas caroling, and Peter made Tony a Christmas present that still sat on Tony’s desk; he proposed new ideas and new thoughts, and Tony knew, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that Peter Parker was going to take over Stark Industries as soon as he turned 21.
But all of that’s forgotten now, as the two stand waiting and watching as the world is about to end; Tony wraps an arm around Peter’s shoulders and pulls him into his side as the greatest threat the Avengers have ever faced are about to kill them all.