Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The world was cracking. It was a messed up purple streak. It looked like the galaxies he had once traveled through last year, and technically 5 years ago. It was beautiful in a ‘the world is ending’ way. Maybe this would be a good way to go. Seeing that pretty purple. He felt as if he could see May again through those purple clouds, he saw faces. Faces of villains, of peters. Tearing his eyes away he looked back at what was important.

Getting rid of the Purple. The only way to get rid of it was for everyone to forget him. That he was a person, with a life, family-well not anymore-and friends. Like he was some toy to be played with. He felt like a wooden doll on strings, and the puppeteer was the universe, with their purple hands, covered in stars like the galaxies. The hands that ripped Tony from his body, and him from them with it. 

Dr. Strange was on top of the once reconstructed statue of liberty, a symbol of peace and freedom, holding Captain America's shield. But he didnt save them all, Tony did. All Steve did was go back in time and stay there, he was an old man and maybe even dead. Maybe he was still getting over the death of essentially his father. He wished he could have told him that. 

He ran to say goodbye to the Peters. Standing there, on the underside of the copper shield, where he almost killed Norman. They were just standing there, like the world wasn't ending. It wasn't anyway, just his. No one but him and Dr. Strange knew what was happening. He didn't have the heart to tell Ned and MJ.

“Thank you guys.” he said earnestly, hugging them tight. He stumbled slightly as they disappeared into gold tendrils, it felt like another persona lost. Because it was always his fault. His parents, Ben, Tony, Mysterio, May. they were all his, and how he's losing his best friends. Sucking it up he put on a happy carefree smile. He needed them to think nothing was wrong.

He could break down later.

Swinging over to the base of the statue there stood Ned and MJ. Essentially unharmed. His fake smile turned a little less at the sight of them. Dropping in front of them he cheered with them, celebrated. They were celebrating a victory, he was having a goodbye party without them knowing. He and Ned did their too-many-step handshake they made in 3rd grade, he kissed MJ. to them it was celebratory. To him it was the last one.

He knew when the spell was taken into effect. Their eyes glazed over, expressions of joy turning blank. It was creepy. He put his mask back on before their eyes went back to normal, confusion and relief crossing their faces this time. Confusion at what happened and why, but relief they were both there, that Spider-man had saved them. They ran off quickly, thanks yelled over their shoulders. 

“Thank you, Spider-man.” Dr. Strange spoke from behind,Peter just turned around blankly to look at the man sporting a knowing smile on his face. He was glad his mask was metal, the fabric would have been soaked by now. Nodding he swung off, the doctor heading in a different direction, most likely back to the sanctum. It was barely dawn but Peter felt dead on his feet. 

Swinging through the city didn't give him the usual rush of adrenaline. No matter how long he patrolled, he didn't feel a part of his body. Like he was an observer in a video game on a cut scene. He found himself looking up, trying to find the swirling purple clouds of stars. The breaking of his universe. But all he saw was the afternoon sun, it steadily slid down, casting oranges and reds across the sky.

He was still patrolling, swinging through the city, the moon had risen to its peak. It was now early hours of the morning. Peter still found himself looking for the purple, it almost comforted him till he saw there was none. It had disappeared. Just as the Peters did in his arms, just as the last of his family did in his arms. It was always his arms.

He found a hoodie and sweatpants in a dumpster. He slipped them on, willing the mask and gloves to disappear. Leaving the boots on. Karen and Edith had conjoined to one device. At least they still knew him. They were silent in his ear, nanites made into a headphone for him if needed. He hated the silence. There was nothing to fill it but thoughts of the purple and the sounds of the insomniac city. 

He found himself in central park. Dawn just peaking over the trees. He found himself sat at the bench he used to sit on with his parents, then later with May and Ben. It was in a secluded area, quieter than was usual for New York. as he crumpled into the bench, willing away the tears he felt his eyes droop. He hadn't slept in a long while. Maybe he should. This place wasn't half bad.

He dreamt of the purple. Of its hands taking him away. Lifting him up and leading him to another’s. The purple was replaced by gray, gray sky, gray stars, and gray hands. They set him down like Tony did that one time he fell asleep in the lab, that was how he found out about his room at the tower. These Hands were softer, kinder, like a woman’s. They felt nicer than the purple, which was scratchy and calloused, the purple felt like Tony, the gray like May. it felt like her running her hands through his hair as they watched tv on the couch, they even smelled like her cooking.

The hands set him down, waking him with a start. He was still in the park. But this one was grayer. Like the sun never shone on it, yet the flowers bloomed. Reds and pinks littered around him, their scents lingered in his nose. It made him want to fall back asleep. He was still on a park bench, it just wasn't central park. Maybe he should go back to sleep.

Finally that thought broke through his sleepy haze and he sat up, catching his bearing he heard Edith and Karen, they were yelling at him to get out of there. He noticed how dark it was, it must be night. Getting up he noticed not too far away a slightly pink fog drifted towards him. The closer it got the stronger it smelled, it was what made him want to sleep. Looking around the plants seemed to thrive under the fog, blooming despite the chill in the air.

Grabbing his phone that fell out of his pocket and onto the bench, he booked it. As in he leisurely walked away from it. Finding the sidewalk that goes through the park he followed it. The trees got thicker before they evened out, not too long ago he started hearing the sounds of a fight. He strolled past a woman with green skin and red hair using plants, fighting a man with a large black cape and a small red, yellow, and black child. Edna would disapprove. 

Watching for a second he frowned and shook his head, he had no clue who these people were. Sending a web and catching the green woman he walked away, webbing the other two to the woman. He continued walking, ignoring the offended shouts, hands in his pockets. Good thing they didn't see him. 

He reached the entrance as soon as the sun was fully up, looking around he saw a few businessmen moseying about with a cup of coffee. A few cars passed, definitely breaking traffic laws. It was close enough to New York. he shrugged and walked off, maybe he could find something to tell him where he was. 

It was another two hours later, the sun had risen through the smog, highlighting the gothic design of the city he was in. It wasn't like the sleek modern buildings that made up New York. There were gargoyles and detailed arches. When he went out as Spider-man it would make climbing and swinging easier. The spider in him wanted to find a dark area to spend the rest of his life, he promptly ignored it, like he usually did. 

He found the oldest building in the city. The ‘Gotham Library’ was a tall, dark, and imposing building. With stone spikes on the roof and more gargoyles than half the city. It had large steps leading up to the oak door. A statue of a lion sat in the middle of the steps, splitting it in half. 

Opening the door he noted how light it was, even without using his strength. It must've been hollowed out for easier entry. Warm light enveloped his vision, two grand staircases framed a large desk, behind that were rows upon rows of bookshelves. He assumed upstairs were more. Behind the desk was a red haired woman, she was typing on her computer furiously, too distracted to notice his quiet footsteps on the carpeted floors.

“Excuse me,” he asked, once in front of the desk. She seemed to startle, looking up and switching out of her tab, odd.

“Oh yes dear? What could I do for you?” she asked, a kind and genuine smile gracing her features. Up close Peter noticed the wheelchair she was in. 

“I was wondering where your computers are, and how you log into one.” he responded, tone lifting from exhaustion to how he talked with Nat. She trained him for a few months. That's who this librarian reminded him off. The quiet strength that you know is there, but ignorant enough you would meet your fatal end. He smiled at her as she explained where they were upstairs and how to get in. He bid her goodbye, agreeing to talk with her before he leaves. 

His research was quick. He was in a city called Gotham and all the people he knew didn't exist. He's in another universe. He asked Karen and Edith to work on making him exist as he looked into schools. He needed to redo his senior year, and he’s probably gonna be here for a while. A long while. 

It was only about two hours later and he was done, he needed to find food and shelter. He put in the date of the entrance exam for some fancy prep school. It was in about a week. Walking around he found an abandoned apartment complex. It seems everyone just left. Leaving everything behind. The food went bad ages ago, but the clothing and beds were goof, he looted what he wanted from a few of the apartments, finding an MIT hoodie and a science pun shirt. The hoodie was the wrong color, a bright purple instead of deep red like Tony’s. And it was too clean. It was his favorite article of clothing.

___________

The entrance exam was in an hour. He was currently darting through the streets, using his senses to not run into anyone. He made it with 10 minutes to spare, that's the best he’s ever done. Showing the lady at his desk his I.D. he went to the room and waited, his backpack of everything he owns at his feet. He hoped this didn't go too terribly.

It was a quick test, he felt like he was in and out. There were sections for every subject. His worst was definitely history, as he was new to this world, not exactly understanding some of the things that happened. He walked back to his apartment building to find a crane in front of it, they had torn it down. Miley Cyrus style.

He turned around walking for a while, it felt aimless. It was dark out when he found an abandoned building that wasn't inhabited or falling apart. It was a church, the back rooms where the nuns and priest stayed were relatively nice, he just had to dust and wash the bedding. Setting down his backpack he sat on the bed. From under it came a small meow. 

Checking under the bed he saw a small black cat, it immediately came out, crawling into his lap. He set his hand on its soft fur, petting it while it purred. He passed out on the bed with a cat on his chest. At Least he has a friend here now.

Chapter Text

Pepper blinked her eyes open blearily, her daughter Morgan asleep next to her. Since Tony had died his spot was always occupied with her little body. They both missed him so much. Pepper wished she had kept a few of his colleagues close, only now having Happy and Rhodey. 

Gently leaving the bed she let her daughter rest, she was growing to look more and more like Tony now. It was nearing her 7th birthday and Pepper was making a list. She’d invite the remaining Avengers, retired or not. She also wanted a few of Morgan's friends. Happy and Rhodey were a given. She still felt like she was missing someone. 

For the school year they had moved to the Tower, always visiting the lake house and Gerald the alpaca. Morgan went to school and came home, hanging on Happy. He was more than happy (ha get it?) to drive, like he was used to chauffeuring children to school. Odd. This was one of the few weekends they stayed at the tower, Morgan having a playdate later. 

In the kitchen she started making waffles. As the batter sat in the helpful machine that formed and cooked them, she started on the eggs and bacon. Stirring the yolks together with a fork and letting them cook before scrambling them. The Bacon sizzled in its pan as she took the waffle out of the machine. Starting another she heard the soft patter of her daughter coming into the kitchen. She padded to the counter and sat down, she was rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. 

chuckling, she finished breakfast, plating it for the mother-daughter duo. Pepper nudged the syrup at Morgan who immediately poured probably too much on her waffle. Pepper cut it up for her as she asked, “hey Mo, who do you want at your birthday party? I've invited your friends who i've met, the avengers, uncle Rhodey, and uncle Happy. Who else honey?” she asked, now digging into her own plate. 

“Spidey!” her daughter shouted through a full mouth. Pepper's brain seemed to clear what she didn't know needed it. She now noticed the Spider-man plush that sat in her daughter's lap. The one that was made for her by Peter, Spider-man. Tony’s son, and by connection, hers. How had she forgotten peter? Pushed him away? Let all those things happen to him?

Oh god his identity was revealed to the whole world!

Morgan kept stuffing her mouth with waffles, egg, and bacon. Completely oblivious to the mental turmoil in her mothers head. Chatting away about what she and Petey could do at her birthday party. She could introduce him to her friends. Pepper’s fork hung in the air,close to her open mouth where she was about to take a bite. 

_________

Ned and MJ rushed to each other. MJ had called her boss at the cafe, claiming sick. She had woken up with a terrible headache, then she watched the news. Spider-man, Peter Parker, was missing. No one had seen him. He just up and disappeared. 

Calling Ned they ran to meet up outside of Stark Industries. If anyone would help them, it would be Pepper Stark-Pots, the wife of Peter’s mentor, and father-figure. The one problem they had was- well two problems technically. 

First- Pepper was known to spend the weekends at the lake house, so they had no clue how to tell if she was home or not.

Second, and building off the first one- they had no way to get into the tower. 

The security was known to be the hardest to get through. And two just out of high school kids were not on the list to get in. pacing the front together they talked quietly and rapidly. How to get in, how to find peter. It delved deeper into peter. He could be dead.

How did he disappear off the face of the planet?

As they were talking, growing increasingly concerned about what happened. Their save and grace popped up. Pepper Pots in her powerful and tailored suit, heels clicking on the concrete, walked past. All three of them did a double take. MJ watched her purse her lips before bucking her daughter, Morgan Stark, into the sleek black car that was waiting. 

Go wait in the lobby, I'll come back and explain soon. 

It was whispered in their ears as she pretended they had asked for an autograph. Smiling a PR smile that held some hurt and guilt behind it. She definitely remembered too.

Doing as was asked, they sat in the lobby. It was only about twenty to thirty minutes before Pepper strode in, no Morgan hand in hers this time. She gestured for them to follow her to the elevator, not needing to be told twice they followed.

___________

Strange was in the sanctum. He was in his room, finally sleeping after what felt like years but was only a few days. What he didnt expect when he woke up from his much needed nights rest was Wong blaring the news about Spider-man in the room next door and for him to feel the rush of magic leaving him. His magic. He had made himself and everyone else forget about Peter Parker. The sweetest kid in the universe,

Sitting in his bed, his heart sank. It was so heavy with grief and guilt he didn't think he could get up again. He knew his eyes were wide, bloodshot almost, and he could feel the tears, but nothing registered. Only a strong, yet comforting hand on his shoulder brought him back from the turmoil of hit thoughts. Looking next to him he saw the worried face of Wong, his mouth was moving like he was saying something but all he heard was the ringing of his thoughts.  

I failed Tony.

I didn't do everything I could.

The kid was missing, who knows where now, all because of him.

What if the kid died.

He failed the kid.

It was a long while before he felt himself again, his eyes stinging from the amount of crying he was doing, tears still leaked from his eyes and down his cheeks. They left ugly marks that were a sign of his failure, he didn't wipe them away. He wouldn't protect his ego when Peter was missing. And it was his fault.

Wong was there, he hadn't left. He sat on the edge of Stephen's bed and kept a comforting hand on his shoulder. Now that thing registered, so did the questions Wong was asking him.

“What happened? Was it a nightmare again?”

Stephen closed his eyes, the last few dregs of tears leaving his eyes, he shook his head. 

“Wong, I messed up. Bad.” He still wasn't looking at his best friend.

__________

Loki looked around his room in Asgard. It felt different than when he fell asleep the night before. Everything always feels different nowadays. But this was a weird different. He looked closer, into the tiny details of the pictures that littered his room. Odin had never allowed them to have pictures of their friends on their walls, unnecessary attachments and whatever. But with his father gone and Thor the king now, that changed. Loki had put up many pictures. Most were with the people he’d met on earth, a photo with the Avengers, a few with his brother. And lastly, the majority. But they were blank now.

Some were just scenery that once held something, Loki had no clue what though, as the scenery wasn't particularly pretty either. His eyes landed on the last picture, him and a man in a red suit. Spider-man. 

Peter.

The images that were empty bled away, leaving the original picture. Him and his closest midgardian friend. Peter Parker. It had been a while, a year or so ago Thanos had attacked and he was helping his brother and Asgard adjust. He’d been meaning to visit his friend soon, but never found the time; Thor always demanded his attention. 

He heard a hard knock on the door, immediately noticing the roughness that came with Thor. But it was still gentle, a sweet brotherly thing that made him feel like he actually had a family here. He would have liked his mother to still be alive, but everyone goes in the end. 

Snapping his fingers, the smooth leather of his normal attire folded around him, replacing the pajamas, combing out his hair to be presentable. Deciding to ignore the obvious magic manipulation that forced him to forget the one midgardian who was nice to him from day one, he opened the door. 

Thor beamed at him, his golden hair glinting at the natural lights streaming through the uncovered windows. Thor had really turned himself around, all for the sake of Asgard, he no longer sported a heavy unkempt beard and had a beer gut. He gained his muscles back, and shaved, his hair was still long but was now silky and at a manageable length.  

“I was wondering if you would like to go to Midgard with me! I would like to see the Avengers again, and know that you and the man of spiders are close!” Loki smiled at his brother, a new thing he was still trying to get used to. He was thankful Thor wasn't as much of an oblivious oaf anymore.  

“Sure, I was going to head down today anyway.” Thor beamed brighter somehow, throwing his hand with his reconstructed hammer in the air. It was now an axe but Thor was just glad to have his weapon back. They walked side by side to the bifrost, Thor going in first. It went directly to Stark tower. The few minutes by himself gave him time to think. Why was there magic in his memories? Why didn't he remember Peter?

What have you gotten yourself into Peter?

Chapter Text

He woke up in a dusty bed. He felt a warm body pressed to his chest. Opening his eyes, he registrued the small black kitten sleeping on him. Then it all came back to him, he was in his church. Looking around it didn't look much more different in the light. 

He thought it was hours he laid there, not wanting to disturb the cat, and not needing to. Using that time he distracted his mind from the dark thought circling about. Instead he thought of a name. If the cat hasn't left him all night, then it certainly wasn't leaving now. One problem. He didn't know how to tell. And cats were notoriously not about showing their bellies.

He was now stuck, mulling over the two names. Kiki if it was a girl, and- well probably still Kiki. he wasn't very good at boys names. Peter Jr. that's his boy's name. He's really hoping it's not a boy. Finally, the cat sat up, stretching its little body and jumping off him, sitting at his side. 

When it was stretching he looked, she’s a girl. Silently and definitely not out loud, he cheered. Kiki jumping off the bed quickly was for no reason at all. Nope. finally getting out of bed he grabbed his bag, taking stock of what he and Kiki needed. 

He had some clothes, his phone and its charger, $20, and a granola bar. Fun. sighing he headed to the bathroom, might as well check for water first. Thankfully the church was still connected, and it was an old system. The city wouldn't even notice!

He took a-very much needed-shower, scrubbing his greasy curls. He found a pair of rusty scissors in a drawer and resigned himself to his fate. It was choppy but he looked better, fluffier curls framing his face. He put on some actually clean clothes and left the bathroom. 

He did some more exploring, Kiki at his heels. She also seemed to be looking around. He found a laundry room, with thankfully a still working washer. He could use the clothes line for linen for his laundry. With the water connected he ran back and stuffed his sheets in. turning it on. Even if he doesn't have soap at least it wouldn't be as dusty. 

Speaking of dust.

He needed to clean. Bad. everything was covered in a nice thick layer of it. Maybe he could even get the lights working eventually.

Back in his room he looked at the $20, then to Kiki, and back to the money. They needed food. And cleaning supplies. And just a nice trip to Dollar general. He stuffed the money in his pocket, next to his halfway charged phone, wow he needed electricity. 

Walking straight out the door he was about a block away when he heard a meow. Kiki had followed, and her small body was tired. She wanted to be held. Peter huffed and grabbed her, holding the small cat to his chest. She nuzzled into his neck and purred. 

No one, not even an employee, batted an eye at Kiki. He pushed his way into the Dollar General expecting a ‘ you can't have an animal in here.’ But nope. Nothin’. 

Grabbing a basket he got some cleaning supplies, like a duster or 2, and some fabric soap. In the food aisle he grabbed as much cheap yet hardy food he could. In the pet aisle he grabbed a toy and some food. Kiki sniffed at the direction of the basket a few times, clearly interested. 

At the checkout he got a reusable cloth bag for his groceries. He shoved the door open, Kiki was in the hood on his hoodie now. 

He walked home, $20 broker (now fully broke) with the weight of his purchases. And the world. But he’s ignoring that one right now. Hunched over he went back to the church, making it there without incident. 

Once back he started cleaning. Dusting, bleaching, wiping, more dusting, and you guessed it, more dusting. The place was now practically sparkling when he was done. It only took him the rest of the day. It felt more like a home now. All the bedrooms are clean-never know when you’ll get a house guest-and so was the main room. He bleached his bathroom and the kitchen, which was now set up. 

The tuna and a few other things went in the fridge while he cleaned all the dishes, pots, pans, and silverware, Kiki played with her new toy. His home was fully spotless now. The sun had long left the day behind, the moon peaking through clouds. 

_____________________

It had been a few days since he cleaned his house, he was wearing thin on supplies. He had spent the last few days hauled up or wandering the city, creating a mental map. Finally he decided to check his email, he probably has an email that starts with “we’re sorry to inform you” and it will be the most devastating news.

It had been a few days, and Kiki now refused to leave him for a second, curled in his hoodie pocket or the hood. He never took off the MIT hoodie now, it was his one connection to home, and it wasn't even his. The soft purple of the hoodie reminded him of the purple from that night. The purple splitting the sky, the universe. He also remembered the hands, the calloused purple one like Tonys, and the soft grey one like May’s. He tried not to think of the hands.

Pushing open the hollow oak doors of the library, he went straight to Barabras desk, it would be polite to greet the woman. He also wanted to put off the inevitable rejection. Except his plan had a slight problem. There was a boy at her desk already. He was tall, a head taller than Peter, but looked around the same age. He had dark black hair and looked like he hadn't seen the sun in a few years. But in Gotham that seemed normal.

One problem about the boy talking to Barabra.

He was cute.

He felt his face heat up just at that thought, pulling Kiki out of his pocket he calmed himself. Cuddling her to his chest he walked up, greeting Barabra. “Hey Babs!” he smiled, once in actual talking distance. They both turned, Barabra smiling brightly, the cute boy startling. Peter was used to that reaction, the spider bite made his footfalls too light to be heard by normal people, it seemed to freak people out when they didn't hear his approach.

“Peter!” she exclaimed, hugging him over the desk. It was a little awkward, Peterleaning over the desk more to accommodate her, one armed as Kiki squirmed. When the hug was finally over she introduced him to the boy next to her.

“This is Tim, he’s a family friend.” it seemed to snap the boy back to reality, his cheeks lightly pink, his hand raised in a half wave. Peter, deciding to be the bigger person, held out his hand.

“Peter!” He smiled widely.

“Tim.” he took his hand, a small smile on his face.

They talked for a while, Tim opening up more. Mentioning school Tim brought up he went to Gotham prep, Peter told them about why he was there in the first place. Peter had plugged his phone in when he got to Barbara's desk and now pulled it off. Babs and Tim waited with bated breath for his eventual acceptance. 

“I got in!” he startled the black mass of Kiki in his arms who meowed, startling and drawing the attention of his two friends. They were in the middle of congratulating him.

“Awwwww, whose this little one?” Babs cooed softly, letting Kiki sniff her hand before petting her. Tim just kept looking at the little cat. He introduced Kiki, who was quickly swept up and into Babs arms with little resistance. 

They spent the rest of their time-the next few hours-just chatting. Kiki was passed from person to person when an older gentleman with a smoothe British accent came and called Tim to dinner. Peter allowed his cat to go into his pocket again, waving goodbye to Babs on his way out.

Chapter Text

It wasn't stealing if it came from a dumpster, right? 

Peter was currently knee deep in all kinds of fabric, he was behind a Joans. The store always threw out way too many scraps, but it was perfect for his project. He found a sewing machine that needed some fixing, and some dark red and blue fabric. Currently he was just looking for mesh to make his iconic spider web design. 

He was trying to remake his suit. Well, more like patch it. He really didn't want to go without the tech. He couldn't get Karen to work-for now-but it had everything else. He even found a way to make his web fluid, for free!

Ok technically it was breaking and entering and stealing, but the specifics don't matter..

Anyway!

He would be starting at Gotham Prep in a few days anyway and wants to start school with a spider-man suit, and maybe a small reputation. This place was rough ok. He knows about the bats, who doesn't? But he hasn't seen them, although he has felt eyes on the back of his head as he walks home with Kiki.

His thoughts wandered him home, with all his dumpster diving adventure treasure. He started almost instantly, he missed being spider-man so bad. Sure it had bad memories and lost him of the people he loved. Cough aunt May and Tony cough. But here he has no one! 

……

Spider-man!

He started small, pickpockets, muggings, carrying groceries for abusive mean old ladies with knives. It was his third night out, he wasn't staying out long because he had to get to Gotham rep in the morning. That didn't stop him from stopping a few muggings though. He never actually moved on, he thought he would, but the bats had from robberies and up. So he decided just helping the little guy was good.

He was chilling on a random roof watching the twinkling city lights and cars rush past. Some knew him by word of mouth, it traveled fast. He wasn't as known and loved as before, not just yet, but he was getting free sandwiches from this guy whose daughter he saved from a particularly nasty mugging. He was munching on one when he felt eyes on his head a few rooftops behind him. Electing to ignore it he kept munching on his sandwich. 

Well he did ignore it till those eyes were on the same rooftop, a few 20 something feet behind him. Sighing he threw his trash off the couple hundred foot tall building and into a trashcan before turning around. And facing him was a now startled looking bat, or bird, Red Robin specifically. Yes he looked all of them up, he's not stupid, he got that internship through Spider-man but had to keep it through Peter. 

“What can I help you with today?” he asked, putting his hands on his hip. He felt like a tired mom scolding her kid. Red Robin had the decency to look a little bashful, it lasted 5 seconds. 

“How long did you know I was here?” he asked, ignoring the pointed look that question got. “Since you were four buildings that way.” he answered pointing to the original roof he was on. The eyes of Red Robin's domino mask widened comically. 

Red Robin clearly had questions, but enough dignanty to not voice them, Peter was thankful, he did not want to deal with them. He could hear a woman come from the coms Red Robin was wearing, she was asking her questions. Peter sent a pointed look that Red seemed to understand, shutting off his com he sat down, Peter settling next to him. 

It was probably reckless on both their ends, but they talked, and had a really good time. The next few times Peter went out he patrolled with Red, showing him the little guy they didn't help. Their only difference was Spider-man was to be known, to be seen, he's a symbol, while the bats are a myth barely seen, that was ok though.

Chapter Text

Pepper was pacing the living room in the penthouse. It was midday and she had no clue how long this would take so she had Happy picking up Morgan later and taking her out. Ned and MJ were conversing with each other, huddled together, most likely to also gain a sort of comfort from each other.

There was a rumble of thunder and a strike of lightning when Friday warned Thor and Loki were heading down. Everyone stopped their separate plans and watched the elevator silently. Loki stepped off, waving to his brother who boomed a hello to Pepper before heading to see the Avengers a few floors below.

Loki’s smile dropped as soon as the doors closed his brother from view. “You all remember right?” he asked, all seriousness. Everyone in the room nodded, he nodded back. They all went back to their own thoughts. Loki sat on a chair in the living room, across from Ned and Mj, Pepper kept pacing.

“I can't sense him in this universe anymore.” Loki suddenly spoke from his meditation. He was reaching out his magic to find his friend but all he found were small bits and pieces of a universal missing persons case. Everyone else turned to look at him so he explained. 

“We all want to find him right? Well I reached to find him but he disappeared from thin air, there's barely a wisp of him in the wind anymore.” they all stood in silence for a moment before pulling out her phone. 

“I know who will be able to find my baby.”

__________

Dr. Strange was now red eyed standing in the middle of the living room. The portal to the sanctum right behind him. He was explaining what happened at the statue and what the spell did. 

Pepper was livid.

“You mean to say you made the entire world forget my son who was struggling with the death of my husband and was betrayed and just lost his aunt. And the universe felt bad and took him away!” she was so close to punching him. Wong stepped through the portal as Strange was explaining and stood off to the side. 

One second Pepper was yelling the next she was crying. All the emotions of losing her son but also realising she only ever texted him to see if he was ok. She never reached out more. She was a horrible mother.

“We will find him.” Loki suddenly spoke up. “Me and Strange will search every universe till we find him and bring your son home.” Strange didn't object to being told to do weeks or maybe months worth of work. 

“It may take some time, a few weeks or even months, but we will not give up.” Pepper shooed them to the sanctum to get to work and started stress cooking. Ned and MJ were ever silent, watching the grieving mother cook with tears down her cheeks. 

Everyone was hoping Peter would come home and be ok.

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It had been 4 months since he fell into Gotham. His church was exactly how he liked, cluttered yet clean, and Kiki had grown, she was still his small baby though. He had grown close to Tim in his civics and Red Robin as Spider-man. The problem with that was he had a growing crush on a certain dark haired boy, who happened to be his best friend, and go by the name Tim Drake.

It's all ok!

Peter had lost all hope of going back home, what was the point. So why not make his life here happy. He could start dating Tim and they could get married. Ok he was thinking a little too far ahead, college first. What he needed to do was tell Tim how he felt, and what he did at night. That was a good place to start.

Tomorrow at school!!!

He’d ask Tim out, tell him he was Spider-man and badaboom his life is set! Easy peasy [proud]. He really misses tiktok.

Well it wasn't that easy with Aliens attacking in the middle of the day!!

The problem with this one is that it was just a little too similar to the Chitauri in the battle of New York, just less destructive and civilian killing. Peter had told tim how he felt this morning, they were going to go out on a date after school. That was when Peter planned to tell Tim about his insomniac activities, but Tim beat him to it. 

“I’m Red Robin!” Tim said when the school was evacuated and it was just the two of them, changing into their costumes, they both had interesting after hours activities then.

“Im Spider-man,” Peter responded, pressing a button on his watch. The nano tech of his suit encasing his body. Tim stared wide eyed at him as Peter applied the domino mask to his boyfriend's face, kissing him on the cheek and wishing for his safety as he swung away. He had an alien invasion to take care of after all.

About half an hour later they had all the Chitauri tied up in the middle of town square, the portal they came through was eerily familiar, orange sparks opening up to a room they couldn't see. All the bats were out, taking care of the problem, a few of the justice league were on the way. 

Green smoke slithered out of the portal like a snake, grabbing the aliens and pulling them back through. The bats jumped in surprise as Peter tried to look closer, Tim interlocked their fingers and kept him close. 

Suddenly a pair of strong arms from a taller, greener man were around him, wrapping him into the other man. Peter startled and let go of Tims hand, looking up he saw someone he never thought he’d see again.

“Loki!”

Chapter Text

“Loki!”

Peter quickly wrapped his arms around him, tears threatening to spill over at seeing one of his best friends again. The chaos around him stopped, the uninjured blatantly staring, the injured being treated by what was once the enemy being directed by Loki. 

“Peter, you know this monster? And loki? Like the god??” Tim spoke up, coming up beside his boyfriend, who was currently still hugging what was once the enemy. 

“I am Loki of Asgard, and this was all a distraction made just to bring Peter home. Strange messed the spell up you weren’t supposed to leave us.” Loki smiled down at Peter, for not being very tall he towered over him. Peter tried to look at the closing portal when it suddenly gained strength and out walked….. Morgan?!

She darted out, letting go of Loki; He picked up the bullet speeding towards him. 

“PEETY” she screamed in his ear giggling like a mad man. The next few people that came out of the portal made Peter's heart stop. There was Pepper, and trailing her were Ned and MJ, Stephen was holding the portal up. 

“Cmon Peter, it's time to come home.” Pepper smiled sweetly at him, there was a hint of grief in her eyes. 

“Wait, wait, wait, come home? Peter is home! With me, his boyfriend.” Everyone turned to look at Tim now, all the heroes forgotten in this moment. Pepper smiled, stretching her free hand, the one not wound around Peter's shoulders to him. 

They shook hands as Pepper pressed her 2 children closer to her chest. 

“My name is Pepper Potts-Stark, Morgan and Peter's mother.” Peter looked up at her now, surprise flitting across his features. She just smiled at him, a whispered later that only he heard graced her lips. 

Tim never actually took her hand, betrayal shining in his eyes. 

“Please Peter hunny, say goodbye to your friends and let's go, Happy made dinner.” At that Peter quickly handed Morgan to Pepper and went over to the people he’d known for the last few months. 

He gave a quick hug to all the waynes, a swift goodbye and thank you was all they needed, he wasn't close with them. His goodbye with Tim lingered. 

“Goodbye Tim, I have to go, I don’t belong here. Please move on, forget about me.” He offered a swift hug, not looking his now ex boyfriend in the eyes. His family was waiting. 

They all disappeared through the portal, it closed shortly after. Orange sparks dropped to the floor, disappearing entirely, along with them, the memory of one Peter Parker, aka Spider-man. 

A hint of orange crossed everyone's face when the sparks fell. Everyone but Tims. 

You see, Peter was never supposed to be in that universe, but he was always supposed to be with Tim.

Everyone forgot Peter Parker, everyone except Tim Drake. 

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Hi Hi party people, now i have taken a long break from writing due to my personal life but guess what! the comments have spoken and what am i but to listen to my lovely readers! If you look this fic is now apart of a series, in said series very soon (like a few days) will be the long awaited part 2. now if you liked the ending then please feel free not to read it. but as many have said, didn't quite enjoy the ending. I will be giving them a happily ever after! Now all i want to ask is if you guys want like... a one shot to tie it all together or a whole separate series type fic with a new plot? (i have plans for both so please don't be afraid to give me your opinions.) now i am a junior and working a job while dealing with 2 bouts of back to back food poisoning as well as a bad break up BUT it will be finished if you want the longer one... just gimme a few weeks. also! update! I'm going to London over Christmas break! anyway enough about me let me know love y'all lots thanks for reading!!