Flourish (Peter Parker x Reader)

6

Narrator

You stayed outside after the two of them went in, sulking against the same pillar as before. In a mere few words, Tony had taken any significance you felt and swept it under the rug. At this point, he was the only person you felt like you hadn't proved yourself to, despite how many years he had acted like a fatherly figure.

After a half decade of cleaning up your mistakes and outlook on life, teaching you to cook and clean, access to anything and everything, you still didn't feel like you had changed enough for his respect. He was the only living person whose opinion mattered to you and of course he still thought of you as a clueless little kid.

You knew inside that building, he was taking charge and making adjustments to the machines while the other heroes worked together to find others. You felt like the absolute last line of defense. It didn't really matter if you were here or not.

It had been so peaceful, quiet, and you were really enjoying the lifestyle. However, you knew there would always be a piece of you that enjoyed the thrill of action and danger more. This is what you were meant to do but Tony just thinks you'll mess it all up.

You let out a groan and buried your face in your knees, hoping to subdue some of the sadness that was sopping into your chest. Every part of you wanted to curl up in Peter's bed and sleep until he was home.

"What are you doing out here alone?" Bruce's husky voice startled you as you didn't even hear the door open. He walked over, similarly to Steve, and towered above. His face was beaming with a peaceful smile as he waited for your response.

"Helping, I guess." You sighed and leaned back against the steel. "Stark told me to stay out of the way so here I am."

The ground vibrated ever so slightly as he plopped himself down, crossing his legs and munching down on a handful of tacos.

"Ah, you know Tony." He spoke casually after clearing his mouth. "He has to have that last lash or we'll figure out he's a softy."

"He's not a softy, he's a control freak." You laughed dryly. "He thinks I'm just going to mess everything up."

"You might." He shrugged, earning a hard glare from you. "You have the same chance of screwing it up as the rest of us."

"Really?" You asked.

"Oh yeah, we mostly have no idea what we are doing." He laughed. "But we're trying, and so are you."

"Do you really think we can bring him back?" Your voice came out soft and worried. Bruce took a few seconds, studying the concern on your face, before choosing his words carefully.

"I think this is the biggest and best chance we will ever have to bringing everyone home." He spoke.

"No pressure or anything." You laughed humorlessly. "I want to help. I can do more than stay out of the way."

"I completely agree." Bruce nodded. "So have some tacos and tell Tony you're coming with us to get Thor."

"Thor?" You asked, watching as he climbed to his feet. "I've only met him once."

"Yeah, he's been... grieving." He hesitated as he dug through a box of wrapped tacos. "But he's an original member of the Avengers and we need him. Here." He handed you four. You graciously took the food and stood up as well, looking at him weirdly.

"Are you sure you want me to go?" You double checked while walking backwards to the door.

"Oh yeah, we could use your expertise." He nodded. You grinned appreciatively before turning around and yanked the door open, holding the tacos close to your body so that they didn't drop. You didn't have to go far, as Tony was talking to Steve and Natasha in the foyer.