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malereader-inserts · 1 year

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A Friend in Death

Fandom: Avengers Pairing: Tony Stark & Male!Reader Summary: Death is something to fear and yet Tony sees him as if he's an old friend Word Count: 1,766

"Have you ever met death?"

Tony looked up from his tinkering to look at Peter, who had stopped doing his homework to ask such a dark question. Peter was naturally curious about everything and that's why Tony liked the boy, but sometimes his curiosity could be so morbid.

"Oh, yeah, we're like good friends."

"That's...." Peter trails off before meeting Tony's eyes, "Not comforting."

Peter looked somewhat worried, Tony would go back to his tinkering, but he knows the boy's tendency to keep the conversation going. He waited for Peter to gather his thoughts, he watched Peter straighten his back before leaning his arms against the worktable.

"But, didn't Thor tell us about his sister Hela? Isn't she the goddess of death?"

"Yes, for them and anyone who worships them. But, the death I met, is, let's say, universal. This is the death that is waiting for you, picking you up to take you to the afterlife. Death comes to those who don't believe, half believe and anything in between."

"And you've met him?"

"More than I would like, and he could probably say the same."

"What's he like?"

"You know you're not supposed to be here."

Tony gasped awake and was met with (e/c) eyes. They were inviting but at the same time cold. Tony slowly sits up, his eyes focusing on the figure in front of him, who was crouched next to him

"Who are you?"

"I don't think you'd like the answer."

"Oh, god," Tony shudders, his mind racing and if this is what he is thinking, then it was justified reason to start panicking, "I'm dead, aren't I?"

"Yes and no."

"What?" Tony was confused, tilting his head to the side with furrowed eyebrows, "You're death."

"That I am, but you're in limbo as you humans call it - You're dead but not fully if you get me," You say softly, holding a hand out to him, "And call me (y/n), I found that humans feel more at ease being around me when they don't call me death."

"(Y/n)?" Tony was very confused by this whole situation, you drop the hand knowing Tony would not take it, "Also, you look like one of us."

"Eh, I picked it out from the handful of human names and animal names I've encountered and thought it suited me. Trust me, I've been through so wild names, but I like (Y/n)," You shrugged your shoulders then continue to answer his questions, "Also, human form puts you, funny little humans, at ease. I'm not completely heartless. But, if you prefer my other form-"

"No!" Tony exclaimed, you raised an eyebrow at him, "No, this is somewhat....comforting?"

"Well, that's good."

There was silence between the two of you. Tony looks at you, and you looked back expectantly and again, a hand stretched out, waiting for more questions - after all, you are one of the only beings who had answers.

"So, what do you mean I'm not fully dead?"

You sighed, knowing Tony wouldn't take your hand as you stand up, stretching your back - as if it did anything for you. Tony stayed on the floor, his eyes staying on you.

"I mean that you're not to supposed to die yet," You explained, giving him a pointed look, "It's not your time yet, you have a few more years to go."

"A few!?"

"Poor choice of words, few can be ten, fifteen, twenty years from now."

"Right."

"So, I'm sending you back, no hard feelings alright? I'll see you in a few."

"Did you miss me?"

Once again, Tony gasped awake, this time looking around him, last time he was here he didn't take notice of his surrounding. He noticed that he could see his body, and-

"Don't pay attention to that," You say, drawing his attention to you, "You've made quite a mess in New York, haven't you?"

"You speak to me as if I'm a child."

"Well, in comparison, you are."

Tony huffs, taking his eyes away from you. He swears this is his fourth, maybe fifth time meeting you. After almost dying to his godfather and a palladium poisoning. He doesn't really want to acknowledge you yet as he can see Thor, Steve and Hulk towering over him. He sees the wreckage that Loki had brought upon New York.

"Did it work?"

"Huh? Oh, flying the missile up to the wormhole, yeah, it worked."

"So, I'm dead."

You chuckled, crossing your arms over your chest, "No."

"But-" You give him a pointed look, "Right, limbo, not my time yet, gotcha."

You nodded before placing a hand on his shoulder, "You're an interesting being I do have to say, Tony."

"I think I should be flattered?"

"I see too many people walk through limbo, ready to accept their fate in their afterlife. It's rare to see someone come here and not be accepted by the afterlife, not once but multiple times."

"Perhaps, there's a reason."

"It's not ready for you, Tony," You softly soothe him, even in your presence he seemed to relax, "Trust in me, Tony, for I am death and I know when I will be taking you. You still have to show the world that you're Tony Stark, you still have a lot of growing to do before you come to me."

"Are you sending me back?"

"I can't hold you here any longer, so yeah."

"Uh, I think I'm ready, I wasn't ready last time."

You smirked at him, placing your fingers on his forehead. Pushing it back to the land of the living.

"I'm starting to think you like me."

"I promise you I am not doing it on purpose."

You chuckled, this time upon meeting, you had your scythe. It was exactly what he imagined it to be and more. It stood up by itself, and he could see black smoke swirling up the scythe. He looks at you, and you stared at him sincerely, your arms crossed over your chest and leaning against your scythe.

"I'm starting not to believe you."

"Well, I guess I have to visit a friend every so often," Tony shrugs as you rolled your eyes, "We are friends right?"

"I guess, you've seen me more than I like."

"So, what's my cause of death this time?"

"You're horrible, you know that?" You say in amusement before standing straight and grabbing your scythe, "You really need to learn who to trust, Tony."

"Steve?"

"Used your father's shield and smashed it into your arc reactor," You say in distaste, it was the first Tony heard you talk like that, even your facial expression was showing disgust.

"Are you allowed to have an opinion?"

"Hey, I'm death, I can be as caring or terrifying as I want to be. I know everyone's life history. Trust me, having an opinion makes this transition easy."

"So, I'm done now?"

You laughed, a little more than Tony would have liked, "I think you know the answer to that."

Tony sighed, "I don't like this, coming back to life really takes it out on the human body."

"I figured as much, maybe make a better decision?"

"You're hilarious," Tony replied dryly.

You grinned, tilting your head to the side, "Tony, from the greatness of my unexisting heart - your time will come and you will know when. I will always be there to greet you like an old friend."

"I guess that's comforting."

"I guess it is comforting to know that my parents and uncle Ben got to the afterlife safely," Peter hums before looking back down at his homework, "Thanks, Tony!"

"No worries, kid."

Tony did miss you, even though each interaction was a few minutes long. There was something about you that was so welcoming to him, but then he thinks to himself - you are death, after all. You are supposed to be caring for those who deserve it.

Perhaps, it was his reason to keep going on in life, you have shown him nothing but kindness and care, deep down he knows that he's a good person to receive such treatment. He tries not to think about death, but he can't help but find comfort.

Knowing you're on the other side with a smile on your face.

He had no fear of dying anymore, the fear of the unknown after this life was non-existent. He was sucked back into reality when Peter threw a paper aeroplane at his head. He looked at the teenager and smiled, Tony relaxed his shoulders - life was looking up now.

"Hello, old friend."

Tony, for the first time, did not gasp awake. He felt peaceful and he could lie in his spot all day. He slowly opens his eyes and is met with the sight of a clear blue sky. He slowly sat up and saw he was in a field of flowers, a fresh scent of grass and off to the distance, he could see trees.

"So, this is it?"

"I don't think you'll like the answer."

Tony hummed, looking over at you. Your scythe standing next to you as you were crouched down next to him with your cloak draped over you, the hood resting nicely on your head.

"You're awfully quiet, Tony," You pointed out, poking his cheek, "You know most people beg to go back once they know they're dead."

"I've prepared myself."

"No doubt about that," You mumbled, before clearing your throat, "Welcome to the afterlife!"

"It's not much."

"I can't seem to please you can I?" You teased, before sighing as Tony seemed fixated on something else, "Tony, this is your afterlife, you're little paradise. I am not supposed to tell you things that happen here because it's yours, and in a few years your family will return to you."

"Like Pepper?" Tony questioned, hopefulness in his voice, "Happy? Rhodey?"

"And Peter and Morgan," You finished, tilting your head to the side as your gentle stare bore into Tony's eyes, "It'll be a few years for them, but, for you? It'll be like yesterday you just died."

"Will they be okay? You know, without me?"

You softly smile at him, "They will struggle with their grief, but they'll be okay."

"You know, (y/n), thank you. You've made coming to terms with this so easy."

"It's not common I find someone returning to me before their time, multiple times if I must add. But, I treasure friends and they will receive the best from what death can offer.

You stand up, giving a hand out to him.

"Now, Tony, will you finally take my hand?

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