Brought Together By Tragedy (Parley)

Chapter 1

My feet sank into the wet grass beneath me. I stared across the murky green lake. I hoped that maybe the ground would loosen up and swallow me whole. I wish I could just fall away from this world and not be seen.

I tried to keep the tears from coming up, but I knew I couldn't prevent the inevitable. I felt a knot in my throat, pain in my chest, my legs were shaky and my body was weak.

I felt a comforting grasp on my shoulder. I knew it was Aunt May. I continued to stand still, not wanting to move. None of this felt real. This cant be real.

I knew the people around me felt the same pain. They all hurt just as much, if not more.

I shouldn't be here. This was a mistake. I should have never come along.

I felt them steaming down my cheeks, warm and steady. Before I knew it I couldn't control myself. I was trying to keep the gross ugly sobs from escaping me, but it was hopeless. I was a mess.

Gone. Gone was the man who I idolized as a kid, gone was the man who became a father to me, gone was the genius who helped change the world, gone was the hero that saved the universe. Gone.

I have no right to be as sad as them, his family, his close friends.

I need to leave.

¤

I trudged through the grass towards a line of trees stretching outward from the lake. I found a large tree and sat down between the old twisting roots.

I was hiding from everyone. I needed to step away into the comfort of the shade. I watched people from afar through my blurry vision. My face was hot and though it wasn't a warm or humid day, sweat stained my clothing.

Why did I wear so many layers?

I tried wiping my tears on the sleeve of my suit, but it was hopeless seeing as I was still somehow crying.

Somehow this must be my fault. I could have done something. Somehow Mr. Stark's death was my fault. Maybe things could have been different.

He was so brave. I laid down on the battlefield and curled up in a ball like a coward. Even admidst all the chaos I could have done something. I sould have been more like him.

Why did I think I could be anything more?

Maybe Mr. Stark just pitied me because of my... situation.

Maybe he just saw that Aunt May was struggling to support me. She had to pay for all my issues, my medication, my doctors' visits, and so much more. On top of all of that, she had to struggle with loss...

In the time that he was alive I didn't listen to him, I went behind his back and did things he wouldn't allow me to do and he gave me a new suit even after that.

I was so deep in these thoughts that I didn't realize that someone was approaching me.

"Hey, are you alright?"

"Shit!" I jumped. Things had been dead silent up until now. No one wanted to talk yet. They were all probably in shock as well.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

I looked up at him, attempting to quickly clean myself up and wipe away my tears.

In front of me stood a boy, probably about my age, maybe a bit older. He was about as tall as Mr. Stark. He had short dirty blonde hair that was brushed off to the side. His eyes were a very distinct shade of blue.

"It's alright," I replied shakily. I felt bad that he had to see me like this. Who was he? He must have had some kind of relationship with Mr. Stark, why else would he be here?

"The name's Harley, Harley Keener." He smiled weakly and crouched down and sat against the tall tree alongside me. "What's your name?"

"Peter," I mumbled "Parker."

"Well it's nice to meet you. I wish that it was on better circumstances though."

I chuckled wealky, immeadetly regretting it. I turned my head to face Harley. He looked like he was about to cry. Who knows how he knew Mr. Stark, what he misses, what he wishes he could hold onto.

I felt a sudden urge to just embrace him, pull him into a big hug. I could feel myself being pulled towards him. I was really doing this. I wrapped my arms around his skinny frame and waited for a response. I was beinning to wonder if this was really the right thing to do when he wrapped his arms around me as well and leaned into me. I could feel him shaking as he let out the tears he had probably been trying to hold in.

We sat there for a minute, frozen that way in a warm embrace underneath the tall tree. Sunlight peeked through the canopy of the tree and onto us now. The heat was mild now, I felt safe.

I had only just met this kid, but this felt nice. I think we both really needed this.

The war was over, we won. Things could go back to the way they were suppposed to be.

877 words

Author's note:
I know no one reads these, but Iwould just like to apologoze for any flaws in my writing. I haven't really gotten into writing fanfiction before but I thought I ought to give it a try. Sorry for any grammar mistakes! I have school tomorrow and I get up at 5 so I need to rest. I won't have a specific scedule, maybe once school gets out I will. Who knows.
Anyway, thank you for reading!