A Slice Of Life, Death And Everything In-Between

Oh Smile Please (As Red As A Rose)

Prompt by @nefariouscryptid: Iron dad biological prompt #20 "please don't go I can't do this without you" maybe Pete gets v v hurt? ;)

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The thing is, Peter was almost unconscious when his dad finally slams to the ground beside him.

 

Through his blurry vision, the boy watches as Tony stumbles out of the Iron Man suit, falling to his knees next to Peter's bleeding and throbbing head. His hands, trembling and barely visible through the tears that cloud the spiderlings eyes, hover over Peter's body for a few seconds.

"Peter?" Tony's voice is shredded, ripped apart in a way the boy has never heard before. "Buddy, please --"

He cuts himself off to sob and Peter twitches a little at the sound, his head twisting to the side as his legs jerk. Sucking in a gasping breath, the spiderling weakly lifts his hand, reaching out toward his still crying father.

"Dad? " He groans, his ribs sparking a fire under his skin. "Don't c-cry."

A calloused hand suddenly engulfs his own, the palm warm and familiar and Peter nearly sobs himself, swallowing down his agony and forces his eyes to focus.

Tony is leaning above him, his dark eyes wide in horror and hope, before he leans down, pressing Peter's bleeding knuckles against his lips. Peter can feel the way they tremble against his skin.

Peter coughs, struggling to grip Tony's hands back. "I'm so-sorry."

"Oh, Peter." The genius sobs, presses a series of searing kisses against the teens hands. "Oh God, baby, don't y-you ever do that again, you hear me? P-Please, please don't go, I can't do this without you. "

Can't do what? Peter wanted to ask, but when he opens his mouth, all that comes out is a whimper, his throat burning.

Tony just shakes his head, shushing him again, his tears running down his cheeks and dripping into the gashes along Peter's hands. The boy grits his teeth at the sting, but doesn't pull away.

He never wants to pull away.

"Let's just get you home." His dad finally says after a few more seconds, straightening up and tightening his grip. "I'm gonna lift you up in the Suit, alright?"

Waiting until Peter gives a small nod, the billionaire quickly allows the Iron Man suit to wrap around him before reaching down. Peter tenses up, squeezing his eyes shut and letting out a soft moan of agony as Tony gently lifts him into his metal arms.

"I'm sorry, kiddo. I'm so sorry, shh, shh." Tony whispers, running one hand through Peter's curls as the boy leans into the touch. "Just hold on for a few more minutes, bud. Don't fall asleep."

"Will y-you smile?" Peter whispers, forcing the words out, coughing. "When we get home? I haven't seen-seen you smile in such a long time, Dad."

Tony's chest jumps under his cheek, his grip tightening. Peter thinks they might have hit some turbulence, and nuzzles closer.

"Yes." Tony says. His voice is tight, as though in pain. "Yeah, bambino, I'll smile. Just stay awake, okay?"

It takes everything in Peter to listen to Tony.

To not get lost in the lull of the wind in his ears and the soft heartbeat under his cheek; to not surrender into the tender blackness of unconsciousness and let the pain that is currently pulsing under his skin cool to an ashy ember.

His mouth tastes like pennies and his bones are like lead, but still he blinks again and again.

Because his dad asked him to stay awake and goddamn it if Peter isn't going to see Tony smile one more time.