Irondad Oneshots

The reason why

Peter watched the girl anxiously. "Don't do this."

She glanced back, pain clear on her tear stained face. "I can't do this anymore."

Peter inched closer. "Do what?"

She used her free hand to swipe a tear away. "I feel like I'm drowning. I'm falling, and I'm drowning, and I can't do anything about it, and no one helps me, because they don't see that I'm hurting."

Peter nodded, keeping his voice soft. "I don't know what you're going through. I don't know how bad your life is. But I can promise you, you're not alone. Lots of people are hurting. And I try to help them. I can't fix them, but I can listen. I can listen, if you want to talk. I'm not going to judge, I won't even talk if you don't want me to. Just please come down."

Her voice trembled. "What do you know about pain? You're a hero."

Peter looked around, making sure there was no one else around, and slowly reached up to pull his mask off.

She frowned when she saw him. "You're my age."

Peter nodded, careful not to make any sudden movements. "Yeah. You asked me what I know about pain. My parents are dead. I live with my aunt because my uncle died. I'm bullied at school. And yeah, I may be a hero, but that doesn't mean I don't have feelings. Please, come down."

She looked back at the water, and Peter saw her knuckles tighten, going white, then she was crumpling to the ground, her body shaking with sobs.

He hurried forward, squeezing her shoulder. "It's okay. It's okay. Can you tell me your name?"

"E-Emma."

Peter let out a slow breath. "Okay, Emma. Let's get you out of the rain. Are you okay with coming to my apartment?"

She wiped her eyes. "I guess."

Peter held out his hand, pulling her to her feet. "Let's go somewhere where I can change into normal clothes. Don't want anyone seeing me in this."

She nodded softly.

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Peter opened the door of the apartment, putting his keys back in his pocket. "May? I'm home!"

His aunt looked around the corner. "Peter, you're supposed to be at Mr Stark's."

Peter nodded. "I texted him. I'm going tomorrow instead."

May noticed Emma standing awkwardly at the door. "Hello. What's your name?"

Peter intervened. "This is Emma."

May smiled cheerfully. "Okay. The recipe I tried was a disaster, so I'm ordering takeout. Any preferences?"

Peter shrugged, glancing back. "Not me. Emma?"

The girl shrugged awkwardly.

"Larb it is!" May announced.

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Emma stayed there for several hours. She didn't talk much, but Peter and May made up for it with cheerful banter, and a movie after dinner.

Emma pulled Peter aside, later. "Thank you. I need to go home, but thank you so much."

Peter smiled, giving her a quick hug. "Just... don't tell anyone who I am, yeah?"

She smiled softly. "Course not."

Peter dried his hands on a towel, listening to May humming.

"Who was she?" She asked suddenly.

Peter shrugged. "I don't know, but she needed help."

May came to stand beside him. "Why?"

Peter shut the door. "She tried to jump. I stopped her."

May smiled sadly. "I'm proud of you, Peter."

Peter tossed the rag onto the counter. "Anyone would've done it."

"No," her smile faded. "Not everyone."

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