Just a kid from Queens (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
websnextdoor) wrote2019-09-21 07:20 pm
websnextdoor) wrote2019-09-21 07:20 pm
Where's the Neighborhood Gone?
Imagine blacking out in the worst nightmare imaginable. Knowing that the only man left behind will break himself because he survived. Feeling his tears against your neck when everything fades away. It’s a strange thing. Because in that moment Peter Parker knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that he was loved. That Iron Man, no-- that Tony Stark cared so much for Peter that he’d hug a random kid from Queens who’s always been as much of a headache as he has been a help. Cry because Peter was dying. Because that’s what happened.
Peter’s sure of that much.
He’s pretty sure waking up again isn’t how dying works. Not like, totally sure? He’s never done it before and to be honest doesn’t really want to try it again anytime soon. Like over half a century anytime soon to be specific here because never is impossible and Soon is just some vague term that doesn’t give any real meaning to… Right. Rambling. He does that when he’s nervous. Or when he’s panicking. He does a lot of that in the scant few minutes it takes for Dr. Strange to show up with his teleporting magic circles. He’ll swallow even more when the sorcerer supreme explains what’s happening back on Earth.
Armies invading. The Avengers hopelessly outnumbered. One chance to make a difference.
Except this isn’t punching out goons or being a distraction. This is killing before their enemies kill everyone that’s left. This is beyond anything he’s signed up for. Beyond what he’s even really prepared to do. He could go through and find a place to hide. Peter’s sure he could do that. Stay out of the way. Except. If he did that and then something bad happened? It would happen because of Peter. That’s how he’s always felt. It’s not fair that he’s having to make this decision minutes after being pretty sure he was dead for a bit there. It’s never been fair. There’s no time to pity himself.
“I have more to gather. You stay with these space pirates and wait for my signal. You’ll know when.” Dr. Strange hands Peter back his mask. When he leaves a dirty hand settles itself onto Peter’s shoulder. Starlord and his friends have picked themselves up too.
“Don’t worry about it, kid. Kicking ass and saving the day’s kinda what we do around here. We’ve got this handled.” Maybe Starlord believes that. Maybe he’s just putting on a show of bravado because Peter’s just a kid. In the end it doesn’t matter that much. It makes Peter feel better with people near him. He nods and pulls his mask back on, good and tight.
Hold on Mister Stark, everyone. The world's friendly neighborhood Spider-Man is on his way.
Peter’s sure of that much.
He’s pretty sure waking up again isn’t how dying works. Not like, totally sure? He’s never done it before and to be honest doesn’t really want to try it again anytime soon. Like over half a century anytime soon to be specific here because never is impossible and Soon is just some vague term that doesn’t give any real meaning to… Right. Rambling. He does that when he’s nervous. Or when he’s panicking. He does a lot of that in the scant few minutes it takes for Dr. Strange to show up with his teleporting magic circles. He’ll swallow even more when the sorcerer supreme explains what’s happening back on Earth.
Armies invading. The Avengers hopelessly outnumbered. One chance to make a difference.
Except this isn’t punching out goons or being a distraction. This is killing before their enemies kill everyone that’s left. This is beyond anything he’s signed up for. Beyond what he’s even really prepared to do. He could go through and find a place to hide. Peter’s sure he could do that. Stay out of the way. Except. If he did that and then something bad happened? It would happen because of Peter. That’s how he’s always felt. It’s not fair that he’s having to make this decision minutes after being pretty sure he was dead for a bit there. It’s never been fair. There’s no time to pity himself.
“I have more to gather. You stay with these space pirates and wait for my signal. You’ll know when.” Dr. Strange hands Peter back his mask. When he leaves a dirty hand settles itself onto Peter’s shoulder. Starlord and his friends have picked themselves up too.
“Don’t worry about it, kid. Kicking ass and saving the day’s kinda what we do around here. We’ve got this handled.” Maybe Starlord believes that. Maybe he’s just putting on a show of bravado because Peter’s just a kid. In the end it doesn’t matter that much. It makes Peter feel better with people near him. He nods and pulls his mask back on, good and tight.
Hold on Mister Stark, everyone. The world's friendly neighborhood Spider-Man is on his way.