.ೃ࿔*:･𝐱𝐱𝐱𝐢𝐯. this love came back to me

𝐅𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐏𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐄𝐘𝐄𝐒 𝐃𝐑𝐈𝐅𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐎𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐎𝐎𝐑, each one heavy with an unspoken sense of dread. The room seemed to tighten with the collective weight of anticipation. Tony's eyes flicked toward Ingrid, meeting hers briefly before shifting toward the door. The anxiety in his gaze was unmistakable, clouding over the usual confidence. Ingrid felt her stomach knot as they moved together.

The door creaked open, and the sound of chaos from the street below invaded their ears—screams, car horns blaring, the unmistakable crunch of metal against metal. The harsh noise made most of them wince, but Tony forced himself to keep moving, pushing the growing unease aside. He stepped out onto the dust-covered sidewalk, the gritty layer crunching beneath his boots. A woman stumbled and fell near his feet, and he quickly reached down to help her up, his voice gentle despite the turmoil. “You okay?”

Ingrid flinched as the screech of tires and the shattering impact of a car against a lamppost cut through the air. Her breath caught in her throat as she turned, just in time to see Tony’s expression harden. He barked out orders, his voice carrying an edge of urgency. “Help them! Wong, Doc!” His hand slipped into his pocket, pulling out his sunglasses, a small shield against the chaos unfolding around them. “F.R.I.D.A.Y., what am I looking at?”

The AI’s voice crackled to life in his earpiece, tinged with an uncommon hesitation. “Not sure, I’m working on it.”

They moved as one, Tony at the front, his eyes scanning the surroundings. When they reached the corner of the building, he stopped abruptly, turning to jab a finger at the glowing Eye of Agamotto hanging around Stephen’s neck. “You might wanna put that in your pocket!”

Stephen, trailing a few steps behind, frowned deeply. He clapped his hands together, conjuring two glowing cuffs that snapped into place around his wrists. “I might wanna use it.”

Tony pressed his back against the cold cement wall, his heart pounding as he cautiously peeked around the corner. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end as a massive slab of metal whipped through the air, crashing into the street behind him.

He moved with urgency, leading the group into the open, the ominous hum of machinery growing louder with each step. The sight that greeted them was worse than he’d imagined—a massive, ring-like ship hovering menacingly above the city, its shadow casting an eerie gloom over the buildings below.

“F.R.I.D.A.Y., evac anyone south of Forty-Third and notify first responders!” Tony’s voice cut through the noise, sharp and commanding. He jogged to an open car door, using it as a makeshift shield against the swirling dust that filled the street.

“Will do,” F.R.I.D.A.Y. responded promptly.

Stephen moved with precision, his hands a blur as he manipulated the mystic arts, swirling his arms before thrusting them outward. The street cleared in an instant, the dust and debris swept away by an unseen force, leaving the road eerily clean and the air heavy with tension.

Suddenly, a blinding blue beam shot down from the ship, illuminating the street with an unnatural light. Out of the beam emerged two figures—one slim and the other hulking.

“Hear me, and rejoice!” The taller one began. “You are about to die at the hand of the children of Thanos. Be thankful, that your meaningless lives are now contributing to—”

Tony’s voice cut through the alien’s monologue, laced with sarcasm and defiance. “I’m sorry!” He called out, stepping forward with a casual air that belied the tension crackling in the air. “Earth is closed today! You better pack it up, and get out of here!”

Ebony Maw’s expression twisted into a disdainful frown as he turned his gaze to Strange. “Stonekeeper, does this chattering animal speak for you?”

Stephen’s eyes narrowed as he stepped forward, his posture straightening with authority. “Certainly not,” he replied. He clapped his fists together, a spark of energy igniting between them, forming two ethereal shields on either hand. “I speak for myself. You’re trespassing in this city and on this planet.”

Wong mirrored Stephen’s movements, stepping up beside him, his own shield shimmering to life as he prepared for the inevitable clash.

Tony, never one to miss an opportunity for a quip, smirked. “It means get lost, Squidward!”

Maw’s lip curled in disdain as he turned to Cull Obsidian, the brute standing like a mountain of muscle beside him. “They exhaust me,” he muttered, his tone filled with contempt. “Bring me the Stone.”

A guttural growl rumbled from deep within Cull’s chest as he began to advance, each heavy footfall sending tremors through the ground.

Ingrid felt her heartbeat quicken, a mix of adrenaline and fear coursing through her veins. With a deep breath, she opened her palm, and a flame ignited, flickering to life. The familiar heat surged through her, a power she hadn’t called upon in far too long. The flame danced across her skin, casting a warm glow over her face as she braced herself for the coming battle.

Tony bounced on the balls of his feet, his mind racing for a plan. “Banner, you want a piece of this?”

Bruce glanced at Tony, his hand nervously fidgeting with the collar of his jacket. The tension in his shoulders was unmistakable. “No...not really,” he admitted with a weak chuckle. “But when do I ever get what I want?”

Tony nodded, a flicker of sympathy in his eyes. “That’s right. It’s been a while. Good to have you, buddy.”

Bruce clenched his fists, summoning every ounce of willpower to coax the Hulk to the surface. His muscles strained, veins bulging as a green hue began to creep up his neck—but it faded almost as quickly as it appeared. He grunted in frustration, his face contorted with effort.

The group’s eyes locked on Bruce, their concern mounting as they watched him struggle.

Tony threw his arms up, bewilderment etched across his face. “Where’s your guy?”

"I don’t know,” Bruce admitted, his voice tinged with frustration. “We’re sorta having this... thing.”

Ingrid, sensing her father’s distress, placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

Tony shook his head, exasperation creeping into his tone. “No, there’s no time for a thing.” He pointed urgently at Cull, who was now just steps away, each booming stride bringing him closer. “That’s the thing right there. Let’s go!”

Bruce dug deep, his face twisted in concentration as he tried once more to force the Hulk out. He leaned back, letting out a primal groan, but again, the transformation eluded him. Stephen’s eyes flicked toward Bruce, a mix of impatience and irritation clear in his gaze.

Tony shot a glance at Stephen, then back at Bruce, his voice dropping to a strained whisper. “Dude, you’re embarrassing me in front of the wizards.”

Before Bruce could respond, Ingrid’s voice cut through the tension. “Shut up!” she snapped, her frustration bubbling over as she nudged Tony’s arm, her eyes flashing with anger.

“I can’t... he won’t...” Bruce panted, his voice heavy with frustration and exhaustion. His face was pale, beads of sweat clinging to his brow as he shook his head in defeat.

Tony stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on Bruce’s shoulder. “It’s okay. Stand down,” he said gently, trying to ease the tension.

Bruce exhaled in relief, his shoulders slumping as he backed away, grateful to retreat from the impossible task of summoning the Hulk. Tony’s gaze shifted to Ingrid, concern etched into his features. “Keep an eye on him, will you?”

Ingrid nodded, stepping protectively in front of her dad. Normally, Tony giving her orders grated on her nerves, but this time she didn’t mind. She understood how much her dad was struggling, and she’d do anything to help him right now.

Before she could dwell on the moment, Cull Obsidian let out a feral roar and broke into a charge. The ground trembled under his weight as he barreled toward them. Tony’s instincts kicked in—he quickly pulled on two hidden strings inside his jacket and tapped the device embedded in his chest. In an instant, the nanotechnology from his arc reactor rippled outward, encasing him in a gleaming iron suit that seemed to materialize from thin air. As his helmet formed over his head, Tony’s eyes narrowed in focus.

Cull raised his massive axe, the blade gleaming ominously as it sliced through the air, aimed directly at Tony’s head. Tony responded in a heartbeat, summoning a red and gold shield from his suit that clashed with the axe, the impact reverberating through the street. Sparks flew as metal met metal, but Tony wasn’t done. With lightning-fast reflexes, he threw a punch with his iron fist, landing a solid hit to Cull’s face.

Without missing a beat, Tony activated four hovering nano-lasers that emerged from his suit. All four beams fired simultaneously, their concentrated energy blasting Cull off his feet and sending him crashing backward. But before Cull could recover, Ebony Maw flicked his wrist dismissively, using his telekinetic powers to hurl Cull into a line of parked cars like a ragdoll, the collision sending a cascade of vehicles skidding across the pavement.

As the nano-lasers retracted back into his suit, Tony took a cautious step back, assessing the situation. His breathing was steady, but the adrenaline coursing through his veins was undeniable.

“Where’d that come from?!” Bruce’s voice cut through the chaos, his eyes wide with amazement.

“Don’t boost his ego!” Ingrid shot back, half-teasing, half-serious.

Tony turned his head slightly, flashing a quick grin beneath his helmet. “It’s nano-tech. You like it? Looks something like—”

His words were cut off abruptly as the ground beneath him erupted, sharp spikes of concrete launching him into the air, courtesy of Maw’s telekinetic assault. Tony barely had time to react as he was sent sprawling through the air, disoriented by the sudden attack.

Maw, his expression cold and calculating, lifted trees from the nearby sidewalks with a mere thought, sending them hurtling toward the group with deadly precision. Wong was quick to respond, rushing forward with a fluid motion to enlarge his shield, the mystical barrier expanding just in time to block the incoming barrage.

Stephen, his expression serious and controlled, turned his attention to Bruce. “Doctor Banner, if your green friend won’t be joining us...” he began, his tone carrying a hint of urgency. With a flick of his wrist, he opened a portal, sending both Ingrid and Bruce to Central Park.

Ingrid stumbled slightly as she landed in the lush greenery of the park, the sudden shift in scenery disorienting her. She glared up at the sky where the portal had just been, frustration bubbling over. “Oh, come on, man! I had it under control!” she shouted, her voice echoing through the surroundings.

Ingrid sighed deeply, feeling the weight of the chaos they had just escaped. She slowly lowered herself onto the grass beside Bruce, her thoughts swirling as she tried to make sense of it all. The distant sounds of the battle still echoed faintly in the background, but for now, the park was a rare moment of calm in the storm.

Bruce glanced at her, sensing the tension in her posture. “Are you and Tony in a fight or something?” he asked, breaking the silence, his voice gentle but tinged with concern.

Ingrid let out another sigh, this one heavier, burdened with more than just exhaustion. “You could say so. Steve and Tony fell out... and I kind of took Steve’s side,” she admitted, her voice carrying a hint of regret. She glanced over at Bruce, who looked utterly bewildered, his expression a mix of confusion and concern. The sight made her giggle despite herself, a brief moment of lightness in an otherwise dark day. “You missed out on a lot.”

Bruce’s expression softened, but there was a deep sadness in his eyes. He licked his lower lip, his head shaking slowly as he tried to find the right words. “I’m sorry,” he whispered, his voice almost breaking. “I’m sorry I left. It wasn’t entirely my decision. Or rather, I wasn’t entirely in control. I was there... but not really. It’s like I was fully conscious in a sense... except that I didn’t have full, well...”

Ingrid shook her head, her heart aching for her father. “It’s okay, Dad,” she said softly, her voice filled with reassurance. “You’ll explain everything when things calm down, I promise.” She offered him a small smile, one that she hoped would ease some of his guilt. Bruce nodded, though the sadness lingered in his eyes.

Before they could say more, the sounds of the battle suddenly intensified. They both turned their heads just in time to see Maw hurl lampposts at Tony with terrifying precision. Tony dodged them skillfully, but in the next instant, Cull’s massive axe came crashing down, striking Tony and sending the weapon careening down the New York street, straight toward Central Park.

Bruce’s instincts took over, and he bolted up, sprinting toward where Tony had landed. Ingrid, however, remained seated on the grass, her head buried in her hands as the chaos became too overwhelming. The noise, the danger, the fear—it was all too much. Her thoughts raced, but she felt paralyzed, unsure of how to help when everything seemed to be spinning out of control.

Cull’s enormous form crashed through a nearby building, his rage unrelenting. He hurled his axe at Tony once again. “Time out!” Tony shouted, his voice strained as he desperately tried to buy himself a moment to regroup. But there was no time—he barely managed to fly out of the way, colliding with Bruce to push him aside just before the axe could strike him.

Tony quickly fired his repulsors at Cull, the beams of energy streaking through the air with deadly precision. But Cull was ready—he raised his axe, deflecting the energy blasts with ease. The redirected beams sliced through a nearby tree, sending splinters and debris flying. Bruce gasped in horror as the tree came crashing down, nearly crushing him beneath its weight. He scrambled out from under the leaves, his heart pounding in his chest.

Desperation clawed at Bruce’s mind. He had to bring out the Hulk—there was no other way. “C’mon, Hulk! What are you doing?!” he pleaded with his other half, his voice frantic. Dropping to his knees, he slapped himself in the face repeatedly, trying to summon the rage that usually brought the Hulk to the surface. “Come on! Come on, come on!”

For a fleeting moment, Hulk’s face flashed across Bruce’s features, a brief glimpse of green that filled Bruce with hope. But then, just as quickly, it was gone. Bruce fell backward onto the grass, utterly spent. “What do you mean, no?” he muttered in disbelief, staring up at the sky.

Ingrid, hearing her father’s distress, sat up from the grass with a groan. “Dad! You okay?” she called out, her voice thick with concern.

“I’m fine,” Bruce replied, though he didn’t sound fine at all. “Can you punch me in the face?” he asked bluntly, his tone almost desperate.

Ingrid blinked, caught off guard by the request. “Honestly, I don’t think me punching you would make you that angry,” she said, trying to lighten the mood, but her heart ached at seeing her father like this.

Bruce let out a bitter laugh, nodding in agreement. “No, you’re right. I probably deserve it, though,” he admitted, the guilt in his voice cutting deep.

Ingrid’s expression softened, her heart aching for her father. She decided to change the subject, hoping to ease his mind. “Besides, you don’t need to fight. We’ve got everything under control,” she said, her voice gentle but firm.

Ingrid and Bruce both turned their heads toward the direction where Tony had just been struck down by Cull Obsidian. Cull charged at Tony, his massive weapon poised to deliver a finishing blow. But just as Ingrid’s breath caught in her throat, a blur of red streaked across the battlefield, intercepting the attack with a flash of energy.

It was Spider-Man.

“Shit!” Ingrid muttered under her breath, feeling a knot tighten in her stomach. She wasn’t ready for this—not for him. The mere sight of Peter stirred up a storm of emotions she wasn’t prepared to face. How could she ever be ready to see him again after everything that had happened between them?

Bruce noticed the tension in Ingrid’s voice and followed her gaze. His eyes landed on the young superhero who had just saved Tony. “What? Is something wrong?” he asked, his voice filled with concern. He could see that Ingrid was visibly shaken, her usual composure cracking around the edges. “Who’s that?”

Ingrid rolled her eyes, but it was more out of anxiety than annoyance. “Spider-Man,” she said, her voice tight.

Peter seemed to notice Ingrid and Bruce watching him. Without hesitation, he swung over to them, landing with a graceful thud on the grass. He hesitated for just a moment, his eyes flickering to Ingrid before quickly shifting to Bruce. “Hi, I’m Spider-Man... Peter. I’m Ingrid’s... friend,” he stammered, extending a hand toward Bruce. His nerves were palpable, and Ingrid could feel her heart rate spike. Peter’s presence was like a trigger, reminding her of the unresolved tension between them.

Ingrid sighed, running a hand over her face as she tried to maintain her composure. Bruce furrowed his brows in confusion. He glanced at Ingrid, who offered only a noncommittal shrug, before turning back to Peter. He took Peter’s hand, shaking it politely. “I’m Bruce... Ingrid’s dad.”

“I know. Ingrid talked about you all the time,” Peter said earnestly, a hint of warmth in his voice.

Bruce raised an eyebrow, glancing back at Ingrid with a mix of amusement and surprise. “That’s nice. I’m sorry... She hasn’t mentioned you at all,” Bruce responded, his tone deadpan. The awkwardness of the interaction made Ingrid laugh despite herself. Leave it to her dad to turn a potentially tense moment into something unexpectedly funny.

Ingrid rolled her eyes again, but this time with a playful grin. “In my defense, you’ve been back for, like, an hour. There was no time for catching up,” she quipped, trying to lighten the mood. But even as she joked, there was an underlying tension she couldn’t shake—a tension that buzzed in the air between her and Peter.

The conversation might have continued, with Ingrid silently grappling with her feelings, but they were interrupted as Doctor Strange appeared, flying across the park. Tony’s voice crackled through the comms, urgency lacing his words. “Kid, that’s the wizard. Get on it.”

Peter straightened up immediately, nodding with determination. “On it!” he responded before turning back to Bruce. “It was nice meeting you, sir!” he said hurriedly before swinging away to join Strange.

Ingrid watched him go, her eyes following Peter until he disappeared from sight. A mix of longing and frustration swirled within her, and she felt torn between wanting to chase after him and staying by her father’s side.

Bruce, who had been observing her closely, saw the familiar look in her eyes. It was the look she always got when her heart was pulling her in two different directions. “You want to follow him, don’t you?” he asked gently, his voice laced with understanding.

Ingrid hesitated for a moment before smiling softly. “But I don’t want to leave you alone,” she admitted, the conflict clear in her voice. She didn’t want to abandon her father, not after just getting him back. But the pull to go after Peter, to help in any way she could, was strong—almost irresistible.

Bruce smiled warmly, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “I’ll be fine, I promise,” he said with conviction. “Just take care of yourself. And we’re going to have a long talk when you come back.”

Ingrid chuckled, feeling a bit of the tension ease away. Her dad always knew how to make her feel better, even in the most stressful situations. She hugged him tightly, savoring the moment. “You’re the best, Dad! I’ll see you later!” she said, her voice filled with both affection and determination.

With one last smile, she waved goodbye before propelling herself upward, using her powers to launch into the sky.