By Your Side
So I rewatched infinity war and decided that I wanted to finish my several part fics for it with my insert. It’s very angst heavy, of course, so you’ve been warned. I did start this a while ago, but just now got the inspiration to finish it. I have the whole thing queued up all day!
Warning(s): angst, self insert x canon
Part One | Part Two | Part Three
My words seemed to ring true in this fight. It was the hardest thing that I ever had to do. There were moments that I began to worry that the choices we made were the wrong ones. I couldn’t see any accomplishment in sight. From the ache in my muscles to the blood from my scars, I felt completely broken. The air on Titan was so thin that it was hard to catch my breath, and I felt tears stinging the corners of my eyes.
Witnessing the large purple brute crushed all hope that I had. There was a moment that I thought we would win until it all began to fall apart. I didn’t want to blame anyone, because there were so many factors that were unraveling at the seems. Quil and I seemed to be on the same wavelength. I understood the reason for his outrage, even though I only got a portion of the reality.
If that were me and Stephen… I’m not sure what I would have done. It made me realize just how important this last fight was, and just how afraid I was. I’d never been stunned by fear. I’ve always been able to keep moving forward until my powers were too weak to hold. But at that moment, seeing Tony broken and stabbed, crumbling right in front of Thanos… I felt it. The sting of fear that caused my feet to plant into the ground, unable to move.
My words from before rattled in my brain over and over. My promises to give me up for my family in an instant. I screamed at myself to move, but the fear had reached all throughout my body. My throat felt so tight, and I looked between Stephen and Tony. A scream was on my tongue, and it took all of my strength to fight against it.
I was too weak to shift, my body giving out despite how bad I wanted one more run. All I could do was summon my claws, and even that seemed to hurt more than it was worth. Tears stung my eyes, and I couldn’t imagine watching my father die right in front of my eyes. Not when it had just been a month or two ago when we found out the truth. It didn’t seem fair how just less than a day ago we were all happy, not knowing the future that awaited us.
How a mere hours ago, when we first met the guardians, there was still some light-hearted laughs to be found. But that’s the beauty of my friend. How we could find humor in the darkest of moments. And that’s the only thing that kept me moving forward in that second.
The thought of my friends, out fighting somewhere else trying to protect the world as we know it. For Tony, who was broken and bleeding in front of me. My father who I had grown to love so much, even though he was missing for half of my life. I had forgiven him and my mother, and I have done whatever I could to make up for it.
I needed more time with him. Even if it was only a few more hours before the world as we know it would be torn apart.
“No! Stop!”
Everyone’s eyes widened as I flung myself in front of Tony, just before Thanos could harm him further. I knew that he planned to kill him in that moment, and I couldn’t let that happen. Even Tony was speechless, kneeling behind me with his hands over his wound.
“Please…”
I knew that it was useless to plead with him, but I tried the only thing that I could. Tears rolled down my face, burning with warmth as I stared into the face of my demise. Pursing my lips, I heard Tony behind me trying to convince me to move.
“Ashley, please… don’t do this.”
“I’m not letting you die, Dad. I can’t just sit here and watch you be taken away from me.”
I felt the shakiness of my tone, and I glanced behind him to smile.
Hearing Thanos chuckle in front of me made me sick to my stomach. Nothing about this was funny, but of course, he would find humor in it.
“Very well. I suppose I’ll give you the end that you want.”
“No! Ashley! Move out of the way!”
I closed my eyes, preparing for the pain that was coming. The tears continued to roll down my face, and I tried to block out the sound of Tony’s voice.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered.
I had accepted my fate, feeling at peace that I had kept my promise. That was… until I heard a familiar voice from my left.
“Stop! Spare them…”
My eyes flashed open, glancing over at Stephen with my mouth parted in surprise.
“...and I’ll give you the stone.”
Both Tony and I were speechless, hearing the words falling from his lips. I felt my heart hammering in my chest even harder, watching him painfully expose the true stone. I couldn’t believe that this was happening. I had hoped that he wasn’t doing this because of me. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself it that was why he chose to give it all up.
After all, he’d told me time after time that it wasn’t personal. But he couldn’t choose Tony over the stone. And I knew that if it came down to it, I wouldn’t be able to understand that decision. Not when it was my own father. But right now, I understood it. Because I felt broken knowing that he was risking the sake of the universe just for me.
Once Thanos had disappeared with the stone, the silence surrounding us was thick and heavy. I couldn’t bring myself to say anything for several seconds. Even Tony was silent, everyone getting their wounds patched up without a second thought.
“Why did you do that?” Tony asked after several seconds of silence, glancing over at Stephen.
He took a second to breathe, glancing at the two of us.
I couldn’t even hear the excuse, because I knew it at that moment. This was what was supposed to happen. For whatever reason… this was the only way. With a clench of my fist, I connected my eyes with his and gave him a nod.
Whatever happens from here on out… it’s the only way.














