X-Men Oneshots

Not fast enough (Peter Maximoff)

The stars outside shimmered with the usual indifference, a stark contrast to the chaos that raged inside the Maximoff home. Peter Maximoff, ever the embodiment of speed and energy, was rendered motionless by the weight of the moment. He paced, his normally rapid movements now a slow, agonized shuffle. His heart raced, but not from the thrill of life. This was a racing that felt like it would never end, a relentless pounding that echoed his deep despair.

Inside the battle-scarred city, the sky was a canvas of fire and smoke. Peter, moving at lightning speed, darted between the crumbling buildings, his focus solely on finding Y/N. The conflict had started suddenly, a vicious onslaught by a powerful enemy, and in the chaos, Y/N had been separated from him. Peter had seen them running towards safety, but the enemy's relentless pursuit had cut their path short.

He rounded a corner and skidded to a stop. His heart sank as he saw the scene before him: the enemy forces, their sinister leader towering above, and Y/N caught in the middle of it all. They were cornered, their back against a wall, struggling to fend off the enemy with every ounce of their strength. Peter's eyes locked onto Y/N's, a silent plea for help.

"No!" Peter shouted, his voice a roar that cut through the chaos. He bolted forward, his speed a blur as he weaved through the hostile crowd. Every second felt like an eternity. He was so close, so close to reaching them, but the enemy was relentless, their attacks growing more ferocious with every passing moment.

Y/N fought valiantly, their movements fluid and determined, but the numbers were overwhelming. They were pushed back, their strength waning under the onslaught. Peter could see it all in slow motion, the horrifying realization that no matter how fast he moved, he couldn't reach them in time.

He zigzagged through the battlefield, dodging explosions and attacks, his mind racing with a singular focus. He could see the final, fatal blow coming, the enemy's leader unleashing a devastating energy blast aimed directly at Y/N. Time seemed to stretch as Peter accelerated, desperate to intercept the attack, to protect the one person who meant everything to him.

But as he reached out, as his fingers brushed the edge of the blast, it was too late. The energy surged forward, engulfing Y/N in a blinding flash. Peter's heart shattered as he witnessed the moment of impact, a wave of energy crashing over Y/N, their form collapsing to the ground.

"No!" Peter screamed, his voice breaking. He reached Y/N in an instant, but the damage was done. They lay crumpled on the ground, their body unmoving. The enemy forces had been driven off, but the victory felt hollow in the face of the tragedy before him.

Peter fell to his knees beside them, his hands trembling as he cradled Y/N's head. Their eyes were open, but they no longer held the vibrant spark he had always cherished. Their breathing was shallow, labored.

"I'm so sorry," Peter whispered, tears streaming down his face. "I thought... I thought if I could just get here in time..."

Y/N looked up at him with a soft, pained smile. "Peter... you're here."

"I'm always here," he said, forcing a smile through his tears. "I'm always here for you."

"I know." Y/N's hand weakly grasped his. "I just... wanted to see you one last time."

Peter's heart ached with a pain that felt too deep to describe. "But it's not enough. It's not enough."

Y/N shook their head slowly, their strength waning. "You've done more than I ever could have asked for. You gave me a life full of love and adventure. I'm grateful."

Peter's tears fell freely now, mixing with the dirt and blood of the battlefield. "But I couldn't save you. I couldn't protect you."

Y/N's fingers gently brushed his cheek, their touch a final, gentle caress. "It is enough. It's more than enough. I love you, Peter."

"I love you too," Peter choked out, his voice breaking completely.

As the last breath left Y/N's body, the world around Peter seemed to fall into a profound silence. The chaos of the battlefield faded, leaving only the crushing weight of loss. Peter remained there, holding Y/N in his arms, the pain of the moment a relentless, gnawing void.

The stars outside continued their indifferent watch, and Peter knew that no matter how fast he could move, there was no outrunning this particular sorrow. He stayed there for hours, or maybe it was days—time seemed to blur together. When he finally stood, he was a man changed. His speed, his powers—they no longer felt like gifts but burdens, reminders of a world where he couldn't always protect those he loved.

Peter never stopped running, but now his steps were guided by a purpose beyond the bounds of speed. He ran for Y/N, for their memory, and for the love that continued to shape his path through the endless corridors of time. And in those fleeting moments of peace, he found solace in knowing that their love was eternal, no matter the distance or the time.