my guardian angel | peter parker x gn!reader

t h i r t e e n

not in vain

"We got this. We're gonna get your family and everyone else back. I can't wait to meet them."

Why..?

"See ya in a minute."

Why did you lie?

You sat on your bedroom floor, the warmth of your tears being your only comfort. Why did the universe have to take her away? Hasn't it already taken enough? Your entire body jolted with each sob and your lungs laboriously heaved with each hyperventilation. Your heart pounded in your ears, your head felt so light you were sure it would float into the ceiling any second. Death crawled all over your skin and your mind. You thought it would end you any moment, but at this point, you didn't mind.

A knock vibrated on the door behind you. "Y/N?" Rocket? "I just... wanted to see if you were okay?"

With one swift movement, you smeared the tears and snot on your face and stood up from the floor. "I'm okay, Rocket."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure."

You heard him sigh and pull on the handle but you were quick to grasp it and keep it still. "Oh, c'mon. Don't shut me out, Y/N. I know you're not okay and so do you. Stop pushing people away when you need them."

After a few moments of contemplation, you gave in, stepping away from the door and sitting on the bed. Seemingly noticing your absence, Rocket opened the door and stepped into the room, taking a seat by your side. "You know it's not your fault, right?"

"Yeah, I know."

"And it had to be done? She sacrificed herself to get the soul stone. Instead of moping about and wasting time, we have to make it worth it." You nodded but the single tear that fell from your left eye proved to him that you weren't entirely convinced. "We're nearly finished with the gauntlet. You should come help with the finishing touches."

You sniffled, wiping your nose with the back of your hand, before nodding and standing up. You followed Rocket out of the room toward where Tony and Bruce were putting the gauntlet together. Tony turned after hearing you approach, a small smile finding its way onto his face. "Hey, kid. You feeling alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," you confirmed, but your lack of eye contact contrasted your words.

Tony nodded, turning back to the iron gauntlet which was surrounded by mechanical claws holding the six infinity stones. He reached out, hand in a grabbing position although there was nothing between his fingers. He was wearing a wrist band, which you recognized connected him to the machinery around the gauntlet, shown by the white hologram glowing around his fingers. He twisted his hand, the claws beginning to move soon after until every stone was in front of its slot on the gauntlet. The stones hit the metal with a soft, anticlimactic clink.

A few moments of silence and relief passed through the room. "Boom!" The three of you practically jumped out of your own skin at Rocket's small prank, although the other two regained their composure a lot faster than you.

"What was that for?!" Bruce exclaimed, still slightly shaken up while Tony leaned toward the raccoon threateningly.

"Oh, it was a joke! Get over it!" Even under Tony's harsh glare, Rocket continued laughing while pulling down the screen.

You hung back while Rocket and Tony handled the glove carefully and carried it to the next room, which you hadn't noticed was occupied by the rest of the Avengers. As they laid it down in the compartment, Rocket spoke up. "Alright. The glove's ready. Question is, who's gonna snap their freaking fingers?"