Chapter Text
New York was splendid, especially when seen from the roof of a building. Splendid, like the sunset at this hour.
Peter stood right there, on the roof of the apartment complex where he was living. He looked at the pistol; a part of him felt bad for stealing it from a criminal. He could only hope it wasn't too important to them.
He then looked at the bag with all the tapes. He knew no one used VHS these days, but he found revealing his feelings to a camcorder better than a modern camera; he didn't know why.
Peter took a deep breath and took out his phone. He dialed the number he wanted to call and pressed the button.
RING
RING
RING
"Hello?" a voice said from the other side.
"Hey, Mr. Stark," Peter said calmly.
"Oh! Hey, Peter! What's up?" Tony asked.
"Not very well, actually, but I need a favor. Two, actually," he admitted.
"Uhm, sure. But before you say anything, could you please tell me what happened between you and Steve? I know you two fought, but he hasn't been very clear about why," Tony said.
Peter's eyes became empty. "That's why I'm asking you for these favors: I need you to deliver some tapes to some people. Each one has the name of the receiver," he explained.
"Wow, I guess I have to build a delivery-man armor," Tony joked. "Fine, but why can't you do it? Are you out of the city?" he asked.
"I'm leaving soon. But I won't be able to deliver the tapes," he answered.
Tony felt a shiver down his back because of the tone Peter used. "What do you mean?" he asked, worried.
"The second favor is that you take care of my Aunt May and Miles. At least for a while," he ignored him.
"What do you mean? Why should I do that? They have you!" Tony said, even more worried.
"It's for the best," Peter said, looking at the sunset.
"Okay, listen, Peter. It's obvious you're very upset about something. Tell me where you are, and I'll come as fast as I can. Tell me also where you want to eat; it's on me," Tony proposed.
Peter couldn't help but smile sadly. "Tell Captain America he's always been my hero. I'm sorry for what happened between us. Goodbye, Mr. Stark."
"Wait! Don't hang up!" Tony said, but Peter didn't listen and hung up. He destroyed the phone with his hand so he couldn't receive calls.
‘Well, it's done,’ he thought. He looked at the pistol once again. It was now or never.
He pointed the gun at his head, thinking about all his failures as Peter Parker and Spider-Man.
But unbeknownst to Peter, someone was there, begging him to stop. His parents, his Uncle Ben, George Stacy... Gwen. These ghosts were trying to communicate with him, begging in tears not to do it. Gwen was on her knees, crying and trying to get his attention. But it was all useless.
And unbeknownst to them, Peter was thinking about these ghosts: 'Mom, dad, uncle Ben, Captain Stacy... Gwen. I'm sorry, but I tried'
He pulled the trigger.
"Wait! Don't hang up!" Tony said, but all he could hear was a bip.
"Fuck!" He ran as fast as he could. "FRIDAY! I want my fastest armor right now! And find Peter's position!" he shouted to his AI.
"At once, Tony," FRIDAY answered. She prepared his Hypervelocity Armor, and Tony jumped from the building, knowing the armor would automatically equip to him.
Once FRIDAY gave him the coordinates, Tony went at full speed and flew toward them.
‘Come on, come on, come on, come on, come on!’ he repeated in his head. "God, I know we've never been close, but please! Don't let him do what I think! PLEASE!" he begged.
He knew he should've checked on him more! He should've gone to him after Steve told him about their fight! Hell, he should've checked on him after he was possessed by that old man with tentacles!
But it was too late to think about it. Tony could only hope it wasn't too late.
But deep down, Tony knew it was too late.
"And you're telling me that red-haired bitch dumped him for a guy from another dimension?" Cindy asked her girlfriend, Black Cat, as they swung toward Peter's apartment. She had just told her about the recent events and suggested they visit Peter. Maybe he'd feel better if they invited him for a pizza.
And maybe something more. The three of them...
Felicia frowned. "Yes, he fought with the Fantastic Four and Captain America to save her. I mean, I know he was in a hurry and didn't explain what was happening, but they did nothing to reason with him! They could have given him the benefit of the doubt! And what happens when he saves her? It turns out she left him for a moron who helped his father destroy their world and two imaginary kids!" she retorted.
She truly couldn't understand why everyone was acting like such a bastard to Peter! He was nothing but kind, willing to help, and all he received was disdain and hatred from everyone!
"Well, her loss. We're here, and we'll give him the night of his life!" Cindy said, excited.
Her girlfriend chuckled. "And Peter says I'm too explicit," she joked.
"I learned from the best," she replied, making both of them laugh.
But their laughter stopped when they saw someone on Peter's building, pointing a gun at his head.
"Look!" Felicia said. They immediately accelerated, getting closer to the building with every swing. They could now see who was trying to kill himself.
And the realization of who he was broke something inside them.
They couldn't say nothing while Peter pulled the trigger and shot himself.
But they certainly could after it.
"PETER!"
They landed on the building and ran to the body. Felicia grabbed his shoulders and shook him.
"Peter! Peter, please, open your eyes! Look at me! You can't do this! Please!" she said in tears.
Meanwhile, Cindy was next to them. She said nothing while tears streamed down her face. Suddenly, her knees felt weak, and she collapsed.
Not long after, Iron Man arrived at the scene. His heart sank when he saw the body held by Black Cat.
‘I've come too late,’ he thought.
Peter Benjamin Parker killed himself on August 1, 2022. Felicia Hardy, Cindy Moon, and Tony Stark arrived a few seconds after he shot himself in the head.
All this time, Peter had a peaceful look on his face.
His torment was finally over.