Don't Leave Me Here - Starker

4

Tony woke up some hours later, warmth surrounding his body. He blearily glanced around, seeing he was alone in the living room, the tv playing quietly in the background. The blanket Peter had been wrapped in earlier, was now draped across his own body.

He groaned, lifting himself into an upright position.

"Friday, what time is it?"

"Five thirty-eight, Boss." She answered quietly.

He couldn't remember the last time he'd slept through a day like that. Tony was surprised to say the least, although he shouldn't be, as it was clear he'd been neglecting a proper sleep schedule for some time now. At the moment however, he had more important things to worry over.

He wasn't sure where Peter could've wandered off to, but he didn't want to go looking for the younger in his grease stained clothing. Tony opted for a quick shower, a fresh outfit, and booked it for his bedroom.

After picking up some clothes, Tony made his way towards his bathroom. Just outside the door, he paused, hearing sniffles coming from inside. He pushed the door open quietly, seeing Peter searching through the cabinet under the sink.

"Pete?"

Peter started, turning around quickly. Tony frowned seeing the younger's tear stained face.

"Oh! I'm sorry-" He mumbled sheepishly, wiping his eyes. "I was looking f-or something. My hands aren't healing right. I didn't mean to be a bother, but I wasn't sure when you'd be awake- Honestly I didn't notice this was your room-"

Tony hushed him softly, reaching into the cabinet for the first aid kit. "Don't worry about it. Let me see."

He pulled an ointment from the kit, reaching for Peter's hands. Tony wasn't oblivious to the trembling, but he chose not to say anything about it at the moment, as he didn't want to further upset him.

"Does it get easier?" Peter asked, his voice barely a whisper. "My parents- It happened so long ago, I don't r-eally remember..."

Tony sighed, thinking over the question. "Well everyone grieves differently. I'm not sure the pain completely goes away. It simply becomes easier to cope with as time passes on."

He was sure it wasn't the most comforting answer Peter was looking for, but he didn't have anything more to offer. It had been years since his own parents passed, and sometimes the thought of them still stung his heart. But as time continued, the hurt wasn't nearly as prominent.

"I was right there." He breathed shakily. "Right there, and it didn't make a difference. And I thought, with these powers I was given, that I could keep her safe. But it didn't matter."

Tony listened as he continued wrapping Peter's hands with a larger bandage, so his wounds could heal properly.

"Peter, nothing could've stopped that moment from happening. But what your power did give you, was the chance to be with her, in that moment. And for May, that made all the difference in the world." Tony spoke softly.

Peter's shrugged, stray tears falling from his eyes. "I hadn't thought about it that way, I guess."

He smiled sadly. "It's easy to tear yourself apart, thinking about what you could've done differently. What's hard is to realize and accept is that you did your best for her."

A choked sob escaped the younger, as he curled into himself. Tony reached up, brushing the fallen tears from Peter's face.

"I never thought it would be her." He mumbled.

"I know Pete." Tony mumbled, wrapping Peter into his arms. "I know."

Peter gave himself a few minutes of comfort, before pushing away from Tony.