*Location- Bucky's hideout*
Bucky sighed as he continued to read his book. His mind couldn't rest with all the thoughts in his head. It had been a week since he had last seen Peter, since he had saved him from those bullies and helped him.
He had hoped that he would see Peter the next day, or at least within a few days. But with everyday that passed and Bucky went there he never saw Peter, or any sign of the kid having been there when Bucky wasn't about.
He tried not to worry, he really did, but there was just something about the whole thing that left him with a bad feeling. Bucky could tell Steve knew something other than what had happened before with both the accords and Stark was bothering him.
Sighing he dropped the book to the ground, flexing his metal arm slightly, his eyes scanning over the room.
He had begun to fix it up a little more, he had got more cushioned chairs placed around the room. Candles were placed around the room, with lanterns also around, making the whole room a lot lighter, even with the natural light flowing through. The sofa now had more cushions on it and some blankets on there as well.
Placed on the table in the corner was now more food, which all thankfully didn't need to be refrigerated. Water bottles were also placed over there allowing quick access to all of it if the kid were to come when Bucky wasn't there.
Realistically, he knew the kid might just be busy. Who knows, maybe he didn't have the time to come and see Bucky. And yet, everyday where he wouldn't see him, he would have to try and stop the bad feeling from worming it's way into his soul and messing with him.
The kid was fine.
Right.
The amount of sleep he had got had decreased within the week as well. Every night he would wake up in a cold sweat from a nightmare. Some would be flashbacks to his Winter Soldier days, flashbacks to the fight with Stark. But the worst ones, were the ones where Peter was involved. Sometimes it would start as a flashback, him as the Winter Soldier, fighting someone, then Peter would be there, and suddenly his metal hand was wrapped around his throat, and no matter how hard he tried, he could never stop.
He would always wake up before he killed the kid, but he could never stop himself from the 'what if's', what if one day he suddenly loses control and suddenly he had killed Peter. He would never, ever be able to live with himself if that were to happen.
The time spent in Wakanda had allowed him to remove the trigger words from his mind, so really, The Winter Soldier was no more. But sometimes, a part of him mind might forget that and he begins to feel the panic that maybe- just maybe, he'll turn back into his old ways and do something he'll never be able to forgive himself for. He had hardly forgiven himself for what he had done previously, even if he had been under mind control, and the fight with Stark had made it even worse.
He'll never be able to forget the people he had killed, the people he had hurt. And he'll never be able to forgive himself properly for it, no matter what good he might be able to do in the future.
Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, he settled his gaze on his hands, one glinting slightly in the light while the other would be passed off as any other persons hand.
He couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong, or something had happened as he continued to sit there. The air around him felt tense, even with no one around, it was obvious something had happened. He just hoped it wasn't anything too serious.
-
*Location- Stark Tower*
Tony growled under his breath as Ross tried to call him again. He allowed it to ring out, focusing on the project in front of him. His mind was busy thinking of everything that had happened, he and Pepper breaking up, the fight in Germany, Rhodey falling, the fight- the fight in Siberia.
"FRI, pull up the specs for the new suit," Tony mumbled, eyes gazing down at the metal and wiring around him.
'Of course Boss,' FRIDAY replied, a projection making it's way onto the table in front of him.
Tony sent the AI a silent thank you while he looked over the new plan. A hand came to rest on his chest, rubbing back and forth a little. Thankfully, Helen had been able to help him with the cradle and thankfully left no scars.
His mind flashes back to when he woke up.
A hand was on his, holding onto it firmly. His head was killing him, and somehow, he knew his chest should be hurting with the phantom flare that rang through his body. But all it was, was slightly numb and tingling.
"Tony, can you hear me?" A voice rung through his mind, cutting through the haze and confusion in his mind. Although one thing was for certain, even though he couldn't place why, he felt betrayal lay heavy in his bone, exhaustion accompanying it.
A small hum fell from his lips as he opened his eyes, blinking sluggishly as the light washed over him, making him wince a little and take a moment to adjust to the contrast. Once he had however, he saw Pepper looking down at him with worried eyes.
It confused him momentarily, they had broken up not long ago, and had both agreed to stay out of each other's way while they try and work through it. So seeing her here, looking so worried confused him. In fact, why was he even-
Rogers.
Steve had left him there after almost killing him. The shield had cut through his suit. Hitting the arc reactor and cutting off the power source to the suit. He had been left alone, bleeding and cold. He was left alone to- to die.
Rogers had stuck up for Barns, had chosen between the two of them. Barns had killed his family, his mother. Barns might have been mind controlled, but that doesn't change what happened with Rogers.
"Tony, are you okay?" Pepper asked, looking at Tony with worried eyes as she tried to catch his attention.
Tony took a shaky breath, trying not to make himself panic as he nodded slightly. "M'fine," he slurred, his head pounding slightly as his bones felt heavy with exhaustion.
"What happened Tony, Hill she- she found you alone in Siberia half dead with caps shield beside you. Where is he? Is he hurt?" Pepper asked, her hand on his tightening a little.
He shook his head lightly and said, "he was the one that left me Pep."
Tony blinked back into reality, taking a steadying breath as he pushed away all the thoughts. He had been in a coma for a little more than two weeks, it took a while for him to be back to normal, well, as normal as you can be when you were left to die after having a shield slammed into your chest.
After he had gotten better he had heard from Ross that he had the other avengers that didn't sign the accords in the raft. Tony wasn't sure how he had felt about that, knowing it probably wasn't nice there. When he had heard that Rogers and Barns had broken them out he wasn't sure if he was happy about it or angry about it. Ross wasn't happy and told him he needed to track them down and get them back to the raft, and although he said that he would, he knows he won't.
Ross still keeps trying to call him to make him go out and find them, but Tony knows it's useless trying to even reason with him, so just ignores him for as long as he can.
He knows soon he'll have to start trying to fix the accords and get the others to sign it. But he knows it will take a while to get Rodgers to even think about signing it, let alone finding, and making the others sign it. Although he does think he knows where they're hiding, he knows what Rogers is like and the chance of him being around here are very high.
With a sigh he looked back over the new designs for his suit, he was in the works of making a whole new way of keeping the suit. Nanotech: he planned for it to be able to dissolve from something, whether that be some bracelets or something else he wasn't sure.
"FRI, be a hun and get me some coffee will you," Tony says, although he wants alcohol rather than coffee, but he knows he made a promise that he has to at least try.
'Right away sir,' FRIDAY replies.
Tony manages a small smile before he begins to look back over his new design. This will be a long, long night.
-
*Location- Midtown Tech Highschool*
Peter tapped his foot against the ground, his eyes flicking from the teacher to the clock every few seconds. He wanted nothing more than for the bell to ring and to let him leave.
The bruise on his neck was finally beginning to fade, it still had a bit of a bruise in some places but he was sure that he would be able to pass it off soon as nothing. Trying to keep it a secret had been hard, sometimes he panicked and thought someone had seen it but no one had commented on it thankfully.
He also desperately wanted to go and see Bucky, or at least get away for a little while. May had still been as bad as ever, but thankfully she hadn't done something that was too obvious, much like the bruised handprint that was on his neck.
Flash had left him alone, mostly at least. He might be shoved every now and again, and the taunts and shouts were still there, but it was mostly easy to ignore it. Peter could tell though that soon Flash would be back to himself, and as soon as he was back into hitting Peter he knew he was in for a bad beating.
He was snapped from his thoughts when the bell rung out through the halls, signalling the end of the day. Before the teacher could 'really' dismiss them, Peter was out the door with his bag in hand. He called out a quick goodbye to Ned before making his way home.
He planned on going home to see his uncle then sneaking out to go to where Buckys hideout is. Recently he had noticed his Uncle being more vigilant with him and asking more about the bruises and cuts on his face.
Peter had tried to brush it off with saying it was bullies, but his Uncle didn't seem to fully believe it. May didn't seem very happy with him for making his Uncle so suspicious and it put Peter on edge, knowing when his Uncle would leave for work it will cause more issues for him.
Every step he took closer to his home he couldn't help but feel the pit of dread in his stomach grow bigger and bigger. Part of him wanted to turn around and run to Bucky and stay there for a while, but he knew he couldn't, he really needed to see his uncle for a while and let him know he was okay; even if he wasn't.
He made sure to keep his attention on everything and everyone around him, making sure that Flash won't suddenly make an appearance and grab him. Also, he could never be too sure when he was walking around him, crime rates have always been high in Queens.
Peter made it to his door quicker then he would have liked and froze slightly when he made it there. He could hear people shouting, and could recognise the voices from anywhere. May and Ben. He frowned, wondering what it was they were shouting about. He couldn't help the small tremble of his hands as he heard May shout. Normally when she would shout it was at him, and fists normally follow quickly after.
Swallowing down his fear he knew he needed to go in, straining his ears he could hear his name being brought up and knew it probably wasn't good.
As soon as the door was pushed open he could hear the voices a lot clearer.
'NO MAY, I WANT TO KNOW WHY HE HAS SO MANY BRUSIES ON HIM!'
'AND I TOLD YOU, HE GETS BULLIED.'
Peter stood frozen for a moment, not moving an inch of his body in fear of them hearing him. Ben knew, or at least had an idea of what was wrong. He hadn't- he hadn't said anything to May- well she wouldn't be angry at him. Right.
However, he wasn't quite sure if he truly believed that.
"Pete, is that you?" his Uncles voice cuts through his anxious thoughts and he looks up, seeing Ben and May now stood in front of him. Ben was looking at him in worry, his eyes scanning over Peters body trying to find any indication of an injury. May, on the other hand was looking at him with anger and a look as to say, 'don't say anything.'
Peter smiled, albeit, forced and said, "are you okay?"
Mays eyes harden and Peter couldn't help but take a small step back, he could see Ben watching closely and knew he saw as Peter took a step back. He could feel his heart beating quickly in his chest, threatening to explode from his chest with every moment that passed.
"We're fine Pete, but what I want to know is if you're okay," Ben asked, casting his eyes over to his wife before going back to his nephew.
Peter tensed, his eyes snapping momentarily to May before going back to Ben. But Ben was able to catch it and could feel his heart sinking as the puzzle pieces slowly begun to fall into place. God why hadn't he noticed sooner.
"Yeah I'm- I'm fine, why- why wouldn't I," Peter mumbled, still stood beside the door, his bag still on his back. He wished he could move and hide in his room, but his feet were rooted to the ground and he couldn't get himself to move.
Ben shook his head, a glare forming on his face as he looked at May, seeing her look slightly smug, although trying to hide it. He knew the truth now; the way Peter would seem so scared and reluctant for him to go to work. Why sometimes, even when he hadn't gone to school, he would have a new bruise somewhere or a cut on his face. Ben now knew why when Peter would look at May sometimes, he would look so scared, like any minute now she would snap. He finally understood, but he wished he had known sooner.
"Peter, tell me the truth, tell me why you always have cuts and bruises on your face and always look like you're in pain," Ben voices softly, not wanting to push him too much knowing it might be hard for him to say.
Peter hesitates, his head swimming with questions. Part of him mind screamed at him to say that he was okay, that it was bullies and nothing was wrong. Mays words echoing through his mind, 'Tell anyone Peter, and I will kill you.'
But on the other hand, he wanted nothing more than to tell his Uncle. To finally let it all go, cry and sob that no, he isn't okay, and he's so, so scared that one little slip up will kill him and no one will be able to save him in time.
He opens his mouth to say something, but the words get trapped in his throat as his mind wars against him whether or not he should tell. Before he can choke the words out though, May steps in.
"Ben, I've told you before, he just gets bullied," May voices, ice lacing her voice as she shoots Peter a look.
Ben's eyes harden as he turns quickly to May, "shut it. I want to hear him say it," Ben growls, looking back at Peter, his eyes softening and giving a small nod.
Peter feels frozen to the floor, his heart is beating quickly in his chest and he worries it might kill him. "I can't- I can't tell you, it's- I'm- I'm fine," Peter whispers, his words weak as he looks anywhere but his Uncle and May.
"Is it her, is she doing it?" Ben asks, looking at May as he moves a little closer to Peter.
May clenches her fists, her venomous gaze settling on Peter, "you tell him the truth Peter," she spits, anger lacing her voice.
"I can't- I don't, it's not- I," Peter stumbles over his words, unable to force himself to lie when the truth is right there.
It's all Ben needs to hear to know it's all true. He turns to May, disbelief, and horror in his eyes. "It's fucking true isn't it, you've been hitting him haven't you," Ben whispers, his voice still sounding loud against Peter's ears. He can't- he can't believe this is actually happening, finally, after so long, he might really be free from this Hell.
May shakes her head quickly, looking at Peter before looking back at Ben. "No, I would never. Tell him Peter, tell him the fucking truth," May nearly shouts, taking a step towards Peter, making him take an instinctive step backwards.
"Don't go near him May," Ben thunders, stepping in the way of May to block Peter.
Her eyes darken as she shakes her head, "you're really going to do this. I have done nothing to the brat, why don't you believe me."
Before Ben can say anything she pushes him away a little, moving closer to Peter. He can see the fiery rage burning in her eyes and takes a stumbling step back closer to the door.
"You tell him Peter, you tell him right now."
Peter feels tears rise in his eyes as she prowls closer and closer to him. "Please- I, stop please," he whispers, his breath shuddering in his chest.
"May, get the fuck away from him," Ben voices, stepping towards May as she takes a step towards Peter.
"No Ben, I will not let this little fucking brat get away with telling lies," she replies, standing in front of Peter now. He knows the look on her face, 'you lie. And you lie right now.'
May is pulled back slightly from Peter and Ben starts to say something to May only to be cut off by May, "you tell him Peter. I swear to God."
Peter can't take it anymore, he feels like he's drowning. His breath shudders in his chest as he stumbles back towards the front door, wanting to escape and get away from it all. "No- I- I won't lie," he whispers, making her eyes harden even more, rage burning through her features.
Peter doesn't give any of them a chance to reply as he pushes open the front door open, his bag still on his back with one destination in mind. His legs pump under him, his lungs working triple time to even pull in any air.
Distantly, as he runs down the street he can hear his Uncle shouting for him. But he can't make himself stop, he can't make himself face the reality of it all. His mind has one place in mind and he wants nothing more than to be there where he felt safe.
His mind is in a haze as he runs, paying no attention to anyone around him as he makes his way back where he was a week ago. He knew Ben was somewhere behind him but he couldn't make himself stop and face his Uncle.
Peter pushed past someone, not even having the heart to really apologise or even look at him as he continues to run.
"Pete, please sto- "Ben shouts, being cut off by a bang that rings through the streets.
Peter freezes as he doesn't hear his Uncle shout anymore. His hands shake as he turns slowly, eyes settling on something he never thought he would see. His Uncle Ben was laying on the ground, a distant figure running away. Peters ears ring as his blood runs cold, his legs work numbly under him as he stumbles towards his Uncle.
He can't help but choke on a sob as he looks at him, seeing blood pooling from his chest. His hands shake as he falls to the floor beside his Uncle, his hands finding their way to the bullet wound.
"B-ben, I'm- I'm sorry. Please be- please be okay," Peter stutters, watching as Ben opens his eyes, blinking slowly as they move towards him.
A shallow breath falls from Ben's lips as he looks at his nephew, guilt and sadness overwhelming his emotions. "I'm- I'm sorry I didn't notice what she was doing before kiddo," Ben whispers, pain clouding his eyes.
Peter shakes his head quickly, tears falling down his cheeks. "No, no. Don't apologise, please- please don't. I what- what do I do," Peter whispers, his voice breaking as blood falls between his hands.
"I don't- I don't know Pete. It'll be okay. Pr- promise," Ben stutters, his voice weak and breathless.
Shaking his head Peter pushes down on the wound more, his eyes scanning the street for any sign of more help. Distantly, he can hear sirens and hopes it's coming this way.
"Just- just hold on please, helps- helps coming. Please Ben I can't- I can't lose you," Peter cries, his whole-body trembling as he feels guilt swarm him. He could hear the sirens growing closer and couldn't help but feel a little relieved from that.
Ben knew it was no use, his vision was fading quickly and he could feel his heart beat slowing as his lungs burned. "Just- please tell someone Pete. Don't let her- her do it anymore. You don't- you don't deserve it," Ben whispers.
Peters heart drops as his lungs shudder for breath, this can't be happening. It must- it must be some kind of nightmare. It has to be.
"Please, please be okay," Peter mumbles, tears falling even faster down his face.
Ben uses the small amount of energy to move his hand, allowing it to fall over his nephews. "I love you Pete, stay safe okay. And remember- remember what I always said," Ben mumbles, his voice barley audible.
The words his Uncle had always told him rung through his head, 'with great power, comes great responsibility.'
"No, no Ben please. I'm- I'm sorry I love you please don't- please don't leave me," Peter cries, hands shaking as he tires to stem the blood flow.
"Love you Pete," Ben breaths out, his chest rising and falling less and less.
Peters' ears ring, he thinks he's crying, shouting at his Uncle to keep breathing. It doesn't work though, as he watches as his Uncles chest stops the continues rise and fall. Peter can vaguely hear the sirens closer, can vaguely hear someone screaming and shouting, he's pretty sure it's him but he isn't sure. His eyes don't leave his Uncle, he needs to- he needs to wake up, he can't leave him, not right now.
Hands are suddenly on his shoulder and pulling him away from his Uncle. He struggles against the hands, but his ribs still hurt and he couldn't fight against them right now.
His Uncle was dead.
His Uncle was dead and it was his fault.
-
"I'm sorry for your loss."
Peter was numb as he sat in the car, May beside him in the driving seat. He had gone in the ambulance with his Uncle on the way to the hospital. Silently, Peter thought it was useless going to the hospital. His Uncle Ben was already dead, what was the point.
May had been upset, but he could see the anger under it all. Could see the hated glare that was sent his way, and he couldn't even wonder why. He knew why, and he deserved it all. He knows when they get 'home,' his aunt will hurt him.
He deserves it anyway. His 'home,' isn't his home anymore, his homes died. His Uncle Ben was the only reason it felt like home. And now he was dead.
And it was his fault.
-
Peter's whole body hurt.
He wasn't sure how long he had been laying there on the cold floor, but he had watched as the moon sank lower into the sky and the sun slowly rose. Every breath he took felt like agony as his ribs shifted. His head throbbed as the cut on the back of his continued to bleed.
Peter knew there were many cuts and bruises all over his body, normally May would try not to go near his face. But he could feel the dried blood all over his face and the bruises that were all over them.
But it was nothing to the pain in his mind, the pain of knowing his Uncle was dead, and he would never see him again. And it's Peter's fault.
May was nowhere to be seen. Peter had fallen unconscious half way through the beating, and when he had woken up, she was nowhere to be seen.
The words spat at him by May still rung through his mind on repeat.
'It was your fault he's dead. I'll make sure you never forget it.'
Tears gathered in his tired eyes as he pulled himself to his feet. His legs shaking under him. He wanted to get out. He wanted to be somewhere he actually felt safe for once and where he didn't have to worry about being beaten up.
Peter bit back a cry as his head spun and his ribs throbbed in time with his head. He staggered over to the pile of clothes on his floor and pulled a hoodie over his head, wincing when he lifted his arms. He looked at the broken mirror in the corner and held back a small cry.
A big, dark bruise was already formed under his eye and on his cheek. His brow and lip were cut, and blood had dried on his face. His nose was crooked from being broken; blood was all over his face from it. In fact, half, if not more of his face was covered in blood, the other half covered in bruises.
His hand shakily lifted and touched the cut on the back of his head. Hissing, he pulled away at the pain that shot through his head. His hand was covered in blood when he pulled it back, but he couldn't find it in himself to care.
He deserved it anyway.
Pulling the hood over his head he looked over at the clock, reading the time as 5:49AM.
Peter began to slowly walk towards the door, his actions slow and carefully. His body hurt and throbbed in pain with every step he took. His head was swimming with tiredness and exhaustion had settled in his bones.
And yet he felt numb to it all.
Because his Uncle was dead, and it was hisfault.
-
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A/N- I have never been so sad to kill off a character, Uncle Ben deserved the world, and I took it away. Sadly, it had to happen to give this story plot. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed :D
4.6K words
- Bear xx