Hello everyone! This is my first Avengers fanfiction so please let me know how I did!

Much love! Enjoy.

Beyond the Breaking Point

Chapter One

Tony Stark never slept. Everyone knew that. The avengers knew it. Aunt May knew it. The random people on the street that Peter chatted up about knowing Tony Stark - which they never believed - knew it. It wasn't rare to hear clanks and bangs in the middle of the night coming from his lab. It wasn't rare for the coffee pot to be consistently brewing stronger and stronger cups. What was rare, however, was when Tony Stark's "ward" was up as late as he was.

Humming, walking back from the kitchen, stirring a steaming cup of nearly expressly strength coffee, Tony passed the door to Peter' room. A bright light leaked under the door. It was past 4pm, way past the usual 1:00 when Peter passed out. Tony knocked.

"Kid?"

No response.

"Hey kid. Lights out, come on. You got school in the morning."

Nothing again. Tony knocked one more time then entered. Peter was sitting cross legged on his bed, piles of text books and papers circling his feet. His laptop sat in his lap, headphones in his ears. With the door open now, Tony could hear the electric beats of Peter's music. He was even wearing his Spider-Man mask over his plaid pajama set.

"Hey kid!"

Peter looked up and ripped his mask off, tossing it into the abyss of clothes that lay on the floor.

"I wasn't wearing my mask!"

Peter's eyes were wide, but not from fear or alertness. They were wide from exhaustion, which was plain to see. Dark circles cloaked his under eyes. Peter took out one headphone.

"Hey Mr. Stark."

"You wanna tell me what you're doing?"

Peter took out the other headphone and wiped a hand over his face. "Got a big essay due tomorrow, Mr. Stark, sir. And with all the avengers-saving-the-world stuff we've been doing, I haven't had much time."

"You really should sleep."

"You really should sleep. I know I smell coffee." Peter points at the cup still in Tony's hand.

"Well I'm an adult. I get to stay up past midnight on a school night. You are a kid who has school in the morning. Now get into bed."

"Come on, Mr. Stark. Please. I can't afford to fall behind. I'm already failing because of Germany. So..this is your fault really."

"What did you say?"

"No, nothing, I mean, I'm very grateful Mr. Stark for the opportunity. It was perfect, thank you. I just-"

Tony held is hand up to stop the kid. Peter swallowed and stared at Tony as if he was going to scold him.

"How about this...why don't you come into the lab with me and we'll get work done together."

"Mr. Stark, are you serious?"

"This way I can keep an eye on you. You look a little pale. If anything happens to you, your aunt will eat me alive."

"Oh thank you, Mr. Stark. Thank you." Peter attempted to collect all his school materials in one big arm full, but books toppled everywhere.

"Why don't you let me?" Tony stacked the kid's books and carried them out, Peter trailing behind with his laptop. He even grabbed his mask off the floor and yanked it back on again.

"What do you wear that for?"

It must have been quite a sight for the other avengers - apparently no one slept - as tough guy Tony Stark carried high school reading materials while his teenage son quietly followed in fleece pajamas and a super hero mask.

"It makes me feel stronger." Peter remarked.

"I get that." Tony tapped the chunk of glowing metal over his heart with a smirk.

"Now," Tony opened the door to his lab for Peter, "you sit here," he cleared off a metal table, "and get working kid."

Peter sat down and sighed loud, reopening his computer. His shoulders slumped. He looked even paler than he did in his room. He rubbed his hand over his face again.

"You good, kid?" Tony's hand hovered over Peter, then massaged his shoulders. "A bit tense, are we?"

"Just stressed." Peter was quieter now.

"Yeah, I know kid."

Tony walked away. Peter started typing away as a blow torch lit in Tony's hand. They both worked away slightly, with small grunts and finger taping every once and a while. The time ticked away until Peter stood. The clock on the wall read 5:00am. School started soon enough.

"Finished?" Tony lifted his safety mask.

Peter waved at the table. "No...just gonna get some coffee…"

"No, you don't need coffee."

"Well, I need to finish, don't I?" Peter wandered away.

Tony stared after him but figured to just go back to work instead. Out of sight of Tony, Peter was leaning heavily on the kitchen counter. At this point, the rest of the avengers had wandered out of the kitchen and to their respective bedrooms. Peter was breathing heavy, leaning on the counter. His head fall into his hands. Little did Tony know, he'd chugged a few energy drinks before starting his homework. His heart was hammering against his chest. His brain hurt. Nauseas was circling a storm in his stomach. It felt hard to swallow, but he didn't know if that was the nausea or the exhaustion. Either way, he felt disgusting. Pulling a red mug from the cabinet, he shakily poured himself some coffee.

"Took you a while." Tony said as Peter reentered, dragging his feet. Peter did not respond, he just stood in the doorway. This time, Tony could see his hands shaking. Coffee spilled from the cup.

"Kid? You alright?" No response. "Hey, kid? Pete."

Tony walked over to Peter with his hands out. He took his by the elbows and tried to guide him towards the chair. "Why don't you just take a seat, huh, and we'll-"

Peter dropped the coffee mug and it shattered on the floor. His knees sagged beneath him and he stumbled. Tony gripped his elbows even tighter as Peter almost flopped against his chest.

"Geez, kid!"

Peter tried to get a hold of his legs and stabilize himself but his bare feet slid uselessly against the floor. He sunk to his knees and Tony suck with him, his hands gripping Peter tight to his chest.

"Pete?"

"I'm really…sweaty. Wha-why am I sweaty?"

"What?" Tony lifted Peter's head up to meet his own. They were kneeling in front of each other, Peter looking like an infant child in the arms of Tony Stark. "Peter, look at me."

"Look at me. You're alright." Peter did so. His pupils were large and he was blinking rapidly.

"Peter? What are you feeling? Huh? You're sweaty?"

"I don't know-I just-I don't feel so good."

"Okay, what doesn't feel good?" Peter's head sags into Tony's chest. Tony puts his hands on either side of Peter's face, nearly cupping his ears. "Hey. Hey. Pete. What doesn't feel good?"

"It's going so fast."

"What? What is? Your heart?"

Peter closed his eyes and fully leaned into Tony's chest. "No, Pete. What's wrong? Hey." Tony adjusted his position, getting off of his knees, and sitting with his back leaning against the table, Peter resting in his lap.

"Pete. Are you shaky?" Peter's eyes were open again but he just looked lost. He was zoning out. "Come on."

Tony felt Peter's forehead with the back of his hand. "Well, you don't have a fever. Peter?"

"I feel weird." Peter was clenching his shaking hands in and out of fists.

"I know. I know, kid, but I need you to tell me what feels weird."

"Sweaty."

"I know, but what else?"

"Head."

"Your head hurts?" Peter nodded and closed his eyes again. His skin looked grey now and small spots of sweat speckled his upper lip.

"Peter! What else?"

"I gotta finish my work." Tony could tell Peter was thinking of sitting up but his body still laid useless in Tony's lap.

"No, you're done."

"Aunt May 'll be mad."

"Pete she's not here."

"What? I thought-"

"Peter. I need you to tell me where you think you are."

"Home."

"Home where? Where's home? Peter!" Tony had to tap the side of Peter's face to keep him alert now.

"Apartment."

Tony nervously bit his lip and looked around the lab. Peter was confused. Sick. Hurt? Tony gripped Peter's shoulders, thinking of what he could do next. There was a small couch in the corner of the lab. That could work.

"Okay. Okay. Okay, kid. I'm gonna get you up and we're gonna figure this out. Okay?"

Peter barely nodded. Tony slipped his arm under Peter's knees and head.

"You ready?" There was no response now. "One. Two. Three." Tony lifted Peter up and against his chest and before he could even move, Peter groaned, gripped the front of Tony's shirt until his hand turned white, and vomited all over himself.

Thoughts? I'm looking forward to continuing this! I hope I can do so.

Please review :)