I Can't Live A Lie (Running For My Life)

The people that you love (They change when you leave them behind)

Hey everyone.

It's been a while since I've done a oneshot, huh? I thought I was done, but...

Surprise?

Anyway.

Post Infinity War where Peter lived, but Tony didn't.

This is a rewrite of my previous oneshot, End of an Era.

Anyway, it's around 8500 words, so enjoy.

The day on Titan was lodged in his memory.

He had never been so afraid in his life.

Not when he was trapped in that warehouse, or when he lost his suit, or when he thought he was dying from injuries on patrol...

Not even when they were actually fighting the Titan.

Because what came after was worse.

The memories were playing on repeat inside his head.

He had heard a soft gasp, turned to see that the guardians had disappeared, and turned to see his dad looking at his hands before reaching for Peter.

His eyes- he had been scared.

"Dad?" He had choked. "No. Please- please don't leave me. Please don't go- please-"

But he had, with Peter's name on his lips, he had disappeared.

And Peter was alone, fingers gripping the hard dirt of the alien planet.

Until a blue, mechanical alien approached him, the one who had fought with them, and knelt. "We must go. I promised your father I would keep you safe."

"He isn't- he isn't gone, he can't be-" the words cut deep, and he couldn't hold back a sob.

"He said you were his son. And I promised to care for you. Come."

Her touch was gentle as she lifted him to his feet, helping him stumble towards the ship. "He said there were others waiting on Terra."

On day eight in the empty wasteland of space, he curled up in a ball as hunger pangs raced through his stomach.

On day thirteen, he played paper football with the blue woman, Nebula, and smiled softly when she lit up like a child seeing Christmas lights the first time she won.

On day fifteen, she gave him the last of the rations, barely a fingers width of hard bread, and less than a mouthful of warm water.

It was day twenty three when they ran out of oxygen.

And day twenty three, that a light appeared, fading to show a smiling woman floating outside the bridge of the ship.

It was only hours after that she landed them back on Earth.

Nebula helped Peter to the ramp, supporting most of his weight on her shoulders, as the team came to meet them.

Steve Roger's was first, gripping Peter's shoulders in his hands. "Tony?"

The teenager shook his head wearily.

Tears welled in Pepper's eyes as she came forward to hug Peter.

"You are Pepper, correct?" Nebula asked bluntly.

Pepper nodded shakily against Peter's neck.

"Stark asked me to care for his son until I could get him to you."