In which Peter and Tony try to survive in a silent world. (A Quiet Place AU)

Warnings: Angst, apocolypse, and descriptions of death, 1000+ words (Have fun with this one)

I got this idea when I first watched A Quiet Place but it took me forever to actually write it and endgame has me shook

Third POV

The river roared in Peter's ears, muffling his cries. He let go of Uncle Ben's mauled body, letting him disappear into the quick, unknown waters.

A hand gently patted his shoulder. The once bubbly teen turned his head to Tony Stark, the man who'd taken him and his uncle in and taught them how to survive in a silent world.

"You'll be okay," Mr. Stark reminded him. "These days, everyone is in the same boat."

Peter pictured himself only a few months earlier, chatting excitedly with his aunt and uncle about the science fair coming up. His invention, a prosthetic foot, had taken six weeks to put together.

But the fair never happened.

Instead, him and his small family were forced into hiding like the rest of the world, living in fear of death every day.

Every sound, once comforting to the lonely boy, became a death sentence. No more could he rant on and on about his hobbies. No more could he speak at all.

His aunt died on day five, during a supply run above ground. She dropped a hardcover book she stole from the abandoned library on the cold, unforgiving wooden floor. It was her last mistake.

Peter would never look at a book the same way again.

After that incident, him and his uncle returned to their hideout, only to find it ransacked by desperate survivors. Now quietly mourning and emptied of food, they had no way of survival unless they moved on from their house's cellar. They began their search for shelter and sustenance in the forest, careful of not snapping any twigs.

That's when they found Mr. Stark. He, too, lost someone he loved, but never gave them an idea of who. Peter had always been a fan of the billionaire, but desperately wished he didn't meet him under these circumstances.

Upon seeing the pair, Mr. Stark put it upon himself to offer them a shelter, despite the dangers of grouping together. All it took was one look at the innocent teenager and his damned paternal instincts arose from within. The three of them became a broken family, depending on one another and growing a strong bond despite almost never talking.

But, as Peter learned beside the river, stability never lasts for long.

Tony gave his shoulder one last squeeze before letting go and sitting on a nearby trunk, alone with his thoughts.

Tony Stark had a gut feeling that the kid would never forgive him. It was he that told Ben to run, only to be quickly knocked down and turned into alien chow. Peter's screams were choked off by Tony covering his mouth with his own grimy hand and whisking him to safety.

After the danger passed, Peter wanted to visit the body. Now they were here, able to speak but at a loss for words.

Tony picked up a smooth stone and threw it against a fallen tree branch. It bounced, then ended up wedged between the ground and the tree.

After a while, Peter's cries subsided into small sniffles. Heaving a sigh, Tony nudged the boy as if he were made of glass to get him moving again. As much as he'd grown close to Ben these past months, you couldn't grieve very long these days. You had to keep going.

This was a harsh reality to Peter. He realized he'd never get to graduate in front of his family, he'd never go to another science fair... nothing would ever be the same again.

"It's not fair," whispered a haunted Peter. "It's not fair that I get to live and they don't."

Biting his lip, Mr. Stark began, "Kid..."

"Don't. I know what you're gonna say." Peter crossed his wiry arms, his voice weak and hoarse from crying.

"Hm?"

"You're gonna tell me that I need to move on already. That this is the apocalypse, and there's no time to grieve."

Tony blinked. "How'd you--"

"Ben said the same thing when my Aunt died."

"Oh."

There was silence for a few moments.

Mr. Stark began again. "We can visit the river as often as you want. But until then, we need to get back to the shelter."

Peter nodded stiffly. "Right."

As the trio turned pair trudged back home, the sound of the rushing water faded, leaving a faint hush for the sound of them to fit inside of. Peter's thoughts were those of hopelessness; Tony's thoughts were those of planning. Now that there were two of them, hunting didn't have to drag on as long. The bucket of water wouldn't have to be refilled twice.

Thoughts of practicality wore away at Tony's dignity. What has the world come to?

Enough. Peter was mourning. Tony had to be there for him. Peter wiped another onslaught of tears away, but an arm was around his shoulders, comforting him.

***

Three months later

The firewood was always a challenge to collect. The noise could easily get them killed. That's why Tony and Peter always went together, watching the other's back.

But today, Peter wished Tony stayed inside.

The boy knew he was doomed the moment he saw the broken branch under his foot.

He knew that he only had a few seconds to say goodbye, the pounding of the monster growing closer. The same sound that overcame his senses when it happened to his aunt and his uncle. He looked to Mr. Stark, opening his mouth to say he was sorry--

Tony dropped the wood and slung the boy over his shoulder effortlessly before fleeing like an Olympic track star. The man repeated a desperate mantra: Not again. Not again. Not again.

Pounding grew ever closer, but Peter couldn't see anything beyond Mr. Stark's backside. However, he didn't struggle, for he knew that would only make it harder on Tony.

The beast did not waver, but neither did Tony. He weaved around trees, adrenaline pumping in his veins and roaring in his ears. He's not losing someone else. Not today.

The beast sounded farther away. It was working! He hid behind a small crevice in the rock, forming a mini wall. He carefully detached a frightened Peter from his shoulder.

The kid was antsy, looking up at Tony with those big puppy eyes. The man only cupped Pete's chin with gentle fingers, raising a finger to his lips. Quiet.

The pounding of steps subsided after a few moments, leaving them alone. Tony exhaled softly, leaning his head against the rock behind him. Peter, relieved, embraced Tony.

After a moment of surprise, Tony hugged Peter back. "We should get going," he signed to the boy. Peter nodded. They stood --

And came face to face with a panting beast.

Tony shoved Peter away, yelling, "Run!"

The man was impaled, dead before he could think, and whisked away by the beast.

Peter, wide-eyed, fell to his knees in shock. He clutched at the leaves on the ground...

And screamed.

I know I have a bad habit of upsetting u readers so Imma just leave before things get heated