The End Game | MCU FanFiction

Chapter 12

Where am I?

Ow, why does everything hurt?

Why can't I move?

Oh my- I can't move, I can't see.

Am I blind? Oh God, I hate this. Why is everything dark? I hate the dark, it reminds me of... That place.

Breathing hurts- my chest hurts... Not again... Please, not again...

Am I back there? Back in the cave? Is that why everything hurts?

No, I escaped. Right? Or was it a dream...

Ow, everything just hurts so bad... Maybe I should just... Lay still... Just, sleep...

--

"Em, Pep- Ms. Potts? He- he's waking up again. Should I call someone-"

"No, wait."

Peter looked at Pepper from the other side of the hospital bed. They were back in Tony's room in the hospital again, and Peter knew what happened last time his mentor almost woke up.

"I-I think he's actually waking up this time. Tony, can you hear me?" Pepper quickly took Tony's hand in hers, quietly talking to him. Peter watched in fear how the breathing of his mentor sped up again. Last time that happened it didn't go so well...

Slowly, however, Tony's eyes opened. He winced at the sudden bright light his eyes were met with as soon as they opened. After trying a couple times, his eyes adjusted to the light and he was able to look around, everything slowly coming into focus.

He noticed Pepper, holding his right hand. He closed his eyes, and with a small effort, he moved his thumb to rub small circles on her hand, earning an happy squeal from his fiance.

He could feel the kid before he saw him. The teen's eyes practically bore into his skull. A genuine smile made its way across his face, as he opened his eyes and turned his head towards the kid on his left. He was met with a face that held way to much concern for a sixteen-year-old. He swallowed to clear his burning throat and opened his mouth to speak.

"Hey, kid."

It was supposed to come out in a joking manner, but was actually just above a whisper and made him couch right after. But when it stopped, Peter could clearly see a playful sparkle in the man's brown eyes, which sent a wide, goofy grin to appear on his face.

"Now," Tony continued with an awful sounding, croaking voice. "can someone please explain what the hell this arc reactor is doing in my chest."

--

It had been a couple days since Ned had seen his best friend. He was starting to get worried, because Peter was never sick. Last time he was even sick at all was when he had the spider bite, but that was, like, a year ago. After that, he had enhanced senses, so it was almost impossible for him to get sick, let alone for a week.

He had called him couple times, but his friend never picked up. He had been over to his house, but May had said he needed to rest.

So he was very confused.

And MJ had seemed off since she'd gone with that strange man a few days ago. So today, he'd decided to gather all his courage and talk to her.

That didn't mean he was ready, though.

It took him about ten minutes to actually leave his table and walk over to MJ's corner. Once he sat down, the girl didn't even look up from her phone. So he just sat there, awkwardly sweating and eating small bites of his lunch that he just wanted to devour like a beast. But no, not in front of the lady, he told himself.

Not that 'the lady' noticed, but still.

"So," Ned chuckled nervously, MJ still not looking him. "How's life?"

...

How's life.

Well, he was going to regret that for the rest of his life.

But if Michelle even noticed she most certainly didn't let that on. After sitting there for another five minutes, Ned got sick of it.

"Okay, listen to me. Peter's been away from school for way too long, he's not answering his calls and he can't be sick because he's- um, a-a very healthy kid." Ned said quickly, almost betraying his friend's identity. "And don't think I'm stupid, because I'm actually quite perceptive, MJ, and I know you've been weird- well, weirder since that day the cool suit-guy came here a-and I think that somehow has to do with each other because- well, because! And Pete and I were out of school early that day so we could play some videogames but he didn't answer his calls and I couldn't come see him at his home because May wouldn't let me and, and- I just want answers, Michelle!"

"Ohmy- yes!" Michelle exclaimed.

I won't even try to describe Ned's face.

Michelle looked up from her phone and gave him a questioning look.

"Oh, hi dork. What are you doing here? You know what, don't answer that. I need to go. Here, take my lunch. Eh, adios." she said, shoving her lunch bag towards him, before standing up and promptly racing out of the cafeteria, probably out of the school too.

But, of course, not before leaving the confused boy behind with her signature 'loser' still hanging in the air.

--
You know, I'm actually quite happy with this chapter! Just some teenage awkwardness to lighten the mood, ya know? ;)

Hope you liked this chapter, next one coming this Saturday. Let us know what you think in the comments, we really like seeing your opinions!

Chapter written by @deborah_ronner

PS. Next chapter is just a sweet chapter, so we can take a break from all the heartbreak. You're welcome!