Don't Leave Me Here - Starker

12

"What time is it." Peter whined, trudging through the kitchen.

"It is two-thirteen, in the morning." Karen replied.

"Too early-"

He yawned, pulling a cup from the cabinet, but was quickly interrupted by Karen.

"Peter, it seems Tony is distressed."

That woke Peter up, and he left the water where it was, focused on getting to Tony. Rushing back into their room, Peter didn't see anything that was overly concerning with the other.

"Karen, what's wrong with him?"

"He has a rapidly increasing heart rate, and seems to be having trouble breathing." She replied, calmly.

Peter took a deep breath. "Okay, but nothing with his reactor?"

"No, it is functioning properly."

"Okay. Uh-" He raked his hands through his hair, unsure of how to help.

Karen spoke once more. "It seems he is having an anxiety attack, stemmed from a nightmare."

Peter hadn't known that was possible while sleeping, but was determined to help Tony however he could. He also hadn't noticed Tony had been struggling with anxiety again, and wished the other would have spoken up.

"Tony?" He spoke, attempting to wake the other.

"Tony, wake up."

This wasn't working. Instead, he went to the bathroom, wetting a towel with cold water, taking it back to Tony. He pulled the covers away, settling next to the older. Peter pressed the cloth gently on Tony's forehead.

Peter's heart broke seeing his face contort with pain, and hearing his small cries. He wished to do something more.

"I'm here baby." He sighed, kissing his head. "Right here."

•

"Peter!"

He was just out of ear shot.

"Peter turn around!"

Nothing, no sound came from him. He tried again and again to yell for the other, but it was useless. And they were gaining on him.

The large alien creatures stood towering over the younger hero. Sharp claws and mangled teeth, their feroscity radiating off of them.

Tony watched from the side, the distance between them ever growing.

"Please-" He cried.

He couldn't breathe. The grip of panic closed tighter and tighter. Every word, trapped right at the edge. Just out of reach of warning Peter.

"Tony!" Peter cried out. "Tony please!"

Sobs tore through his chest, as he desperately tried to reach his love. But they were done waiting. The creatures viscously tore into Peter, and Tony sank to his knees, unable to do anything other than listen to his agonizing screams.

He had to get to Peter.

"Tony, it's okay."

He summoned what strength he had left, digging into the ground and pushing forward.

"I'm right here."

Inch by inch, Tony moved closer to the scene before him, but he was too late. He sobbed as the creatures vanished from view, leaving Peter's lifeless body lying on the ground.

He was too late.

"Baby, please wake up."

Tony shot up out of the bed, desperately pulling air into his burning lungs. He felt very disoriented, as he looked around for Peter.