HUGE SPOILERS FOR INFINITY WAR IN THIS CHAPTER. DON'T READ IF YOU HAVEN'T WATCHED

but anyway i put this chapter on ao3 and totally forgot to put it on here too so uh here u go

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We lost.

The world is over.

The universe is over.

We're going to die.

We are dying.

Earth.

Pepper.

The Avengers.

Steve.

Banner.

Pe-

Footsteps.

Tony spun around. He'd almost forgotten that the kid was there, which he knew sounded horrible, but... he had just watched a man disintegrate. Thoughts flew through his mind faster than he could process them.

"Mr. Stark, I don't feel so good."

Me too, kid.

His eyes scanned the boy to check him for injuries and/or the source of his "not feeling good."

Oh. Oh, no. Not you, too.

The first thing he noticed-which, generally, would be hard to notice-was the boy's feet beginning to turn to ash. He felt his heart drop into his stomach. Peter looked terrified.

No, no, no, no.

He's only sixteen.

He doesn't deserve this.

"You're alright," Tony lied.

"I-I don't know what's happening. I don't—"

Tony held out his arms, and Peter collapsed against his chest. He wrapped his arms around him, maybe hoping he'd hold him together that way. Maybe he wouldn't disappear if he held him tight enough. He didn't know what he thought. All he knew is that Peter wouldn't be able to stand for very long on disintegrating feet.

He's supposed to be on a field trip.

He's so, so... too young.

What about his aunt?

What am I supposed to tell her?

"Mr. Stark, please..."

Oh, please don't cry.

I've never been good at this.

This is my fault.

If I'd made sure he was home...

"I don't wanna go. I don't wanna go. Please-!"

Peter wept. Tony felt his heart break in two. By then his legs had disappeared, and the two of them collapsed. Tony wasn't sure that his knees would have supported him much longer anyway.

No, no, no, please no.

Too young.

Anyone but him.

Fuck you, Thanos.

Fuck.

"I'm sorry, Tony."

Hearing Peter say "Tony" instead of "Mr. Stark" sent a jab through his heart. Like a knife. And then twisting it three times. And then again for good measure.

He couldn't make his mouth form any words. There were so many things he wanted to say.

Don't be sorry.

You did so good.

This is my fault.

You'll be okay.

It'll all be okay.

We're gonna win.

But he couldn't.

"I'm sorry."

No. No. No! No! NO! NO!

The rest of Peter disappeared, leaving Tony on his hands and knees, totally alone. He felt like he was going to vomit. The kid was gone. The kid.

You killed a kid.

I killed a kid.

I killed my kid.

Fuck you, Thanos.

Fuck. You.