Undying Fidelity (A Starker Fanfic)

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Peter's POV

 I'm sleeping by myself in the guest bedroom across the hall from Tony's. I didn't want to sleep with him in his bed because he might sleep with Pepper and/or have Morgan with him in his bed. Children like to cuddle with their parents sometimes during the night. I'd feel awkward interrupting that. I'm struggling to stay asleep though. I'm tossing and turning a lot, waking up more than once drenched in sweat. I try to stifle shouts from slipping out because I don't want to wake anyone up. This one nightmare I just had about Tony dying in the final battle against Thanos really got to me. My hands are trembling and tears are in my eyes. Apparently I must have accidentally let out a scream because within a minute, Tony opens the door and is standing in front of me. 

     He bends down in front of me and takes my hands in his. "Peter, are you okay? You let out a loud scream. I'm guessing it was a nightmare." I nod through my tears. He sighs and holds my head in his hands, stroking my hair gently. "I know about those all too well. I have them nearly every night. That's why I always appear grumpy even when I'm not. Sleep doesn't come easily to me, most nights not at all. No amount of pills, tricks, etc can fix it." I look at him sadly. "I'm sorry for having woken you up." He waves my concern away. "Nonsense, I'm just glad you're not hurt. You didn't wake anyone else up either so don't worry about that." He cups my cheek. "Do you want to talk about the nightmare?" 

      "I-I had a nightmare that you died in the final battle against Thanos. The power of the infinity stones from the gauntlet managed to drain all of the life out of you, you dying just a few minutes later." I can see the sadness reflecting in his eyes. "Peter, I'm so sorry I gave you such a big scare along with everyone else in battle. Visualizing all of you mourning over me breaks my heart beyond compare." He ends up tearing up too and the roles are reversed with me now comforting him. "Tony, can you stay with me? Just for a little while?" He sniffles. "I was hoping you'd ask me that." He lies down in bed next to me, both of us fulled clothed under the covers. He holds me in his arms and I feel so safe. 

       I stare up at him lovingly. "You're an incredible man Tony." For a man who rarely ever blushes, he blushes right away. "Thank you Peter. I could say the same about you darling so I will. You're pretty damn incredible." I hug him tighter but am careful not to crush him. The two of us fall asleep within twenty minutes and the rest of the night is nightmare free for the both of us. Tony ends up staying with me in bed all night. Thankfully we're not in a weird position when Morgan comes charging into the room to wake us up. Pepper appears a moment later. A twinge of hurt passes on her face but is replaced by a smile quickly. I give her a nervous smile back and bury my face in Tony's chest as we begin the process of waking up and going about our day. Pepper's trying her best to be strong but knowing that she's hurting is hurting me too. I can tell it's bothering Tony too. 

        I feel like a horrible human being. Like I know in my heart that I'm not but my mind is telling me other wise. Scratch that, my anxiety is telling me otherwise. Anxiety is such a bitch. That's an unlike Peter thing for me to say but it's the truth.

I hope that you guys liked this chapter! :) -Mary