Peter Parker swung around New York City, marvelling at the fact that Flash hadn't found out that he was Spiderman yet. The way Flash talked about Spiderman...it was like he knew him! Peter smiled under his mask, knowing that if Flash found out Peter was Spiderman, all thoughts of liking him would leave.

Peter swung into an open window of the Stark Tower and called, "Hey, F.R.I.D.A.Y. Is Mr Stark here?"

"Hello, Mr Parker," the voice said smoothly. "Mr Stark is out at the moment, he said to tell you that there is food in the fridge if you need it."

Peter nodded, but surprisingly he didn't feel like eating. Sure, he skipped breakfast...and lunch...but the thought of food made him feel sick. He collapsed on the couch, suddenly tired. He got enough sleep last night, but his blinks were longer than usual. Peter didn't want to make a mess, but he got so cold, so fast. "Where-where are the blankets?" he asked, a yawn interrupting his words.

"There in the closet by the bathroom, but I don't see-" F.R.I.D.A.Y's voice was cut off as Peter all but ran to the closet. Pulling out the largest, heaviest blanket he could find, Peter moved back to the couch.

He was just...so...tired…

Peter awoke from his sleep to the sound of Tony Stark leaning over him, speaking worriedly.

"Kid, are you okay? It's eighty-three degrees out, why are you under a blanket?"

Peter coughed weakly, then said, "I'm...cold. So, so cold. Sorry…"

Tony felt Peter's forehead and said worriedly, "Kid, you're burning up! J.A.R.V.I.S. read his vitals."

The AI's voice washed over Peter as he struggled to keep his eyes open. Peter groaned as sharp pains stabbed his head. He was sick. There was no other explanation. But, he can't be sick, he has to go home to Aunt May!

"Pete? I asked you a question." Peter shook his head and blearly looked up at Tony.

"Sorry, Mr Stark, I didn't hear you...wh-what was the question again?"

"Have you eaten anything today?"

Peter shook his head, then winced as the movement sent spikes of pain through his skull.

"You haven't eaten? Kid...Can you stand?" Tony didn't know what to say. Sure, Peter and Aunt May didn't have the most money, but didn't they still have food? After this was over, Tony vowed, he would give them money, whether they wanted it or not.

"I-I don't think…'m sorry." Peter said, looking down at his hands. He didn't want Mr Stark to see him like this, all sick and...not him. He's Spiderman, he shouldn't be sick. Peter sat up slowly and Tony put his arm around his waist.

Slowly, they made their way to a spare bedroom. Peter didn't resist as Tony helped him lie down in the bed. "I'm pretty sure you're sick. Let's call May." Tony said, pulling out his phone to call her.

"Hello?" Aunt May said. Peter could hear the fear in her voice.

"It-it's me, Peter," Peter said, putting his hand over his eyes.

"Oh! Peter, where are you?"

Peter was about to respond, but he was overcome by coughs. Curling up into a ball, he waited for it to pass. Tony rubbed his back and said, "He's with me. Pete's a little sick, so I'll keep him here till it passes."

"You're sick? What happened?" Aunt May's voice was filled with worry.

"F-Flu...noth-nothing that bad." Peter was still on his side, shaking slightly from the cold. Tony felt his forehead, only to find it was still very hot.

"I'm sorry, I have to go to work. Text me if anything happens." Aunt May said, then hanging up.

Peter knew what was coming before it happened. He tried to run to the bathroom, and he made it, but just barely. After throwing up, Peter lay on the floor, eyes filling with tears.

Tony cleaned up the toilet and got a cold washcloth to put on Peter's forehead. "I'm sorry...I tried to get here faster, I tried…" Peter whimpered.

"No, you made it. It wasn't your fault." Tony said softly, helping Peter get back to bed. "Here, I'll go get the trash can so you don't have to walk as far next time."

Peter curled up into a tight ball and squeezed his eyes shut. He felt absolutely awful. With his enhanced healing factors, this stuff shouldn't be happening. He was fine this morning...what happened?

He was so sweaty, the bedsheets were already soaked through. The bedsheets. "Mr Stark? Who's room am I in? I do-don't want to mess up anything…"

"It's a spare bedroom," Tony said. Peter could hear the smile in his voice. "Even if it wasn't spare, it doesn't matter. Not your fault."

Peter sighed. "It-it is my fault. I shouldn't be sick, I'm Spiderman! I should be helping people, not stuck here in bed." Peter was going to say more, but he threw up. Thankfully, most of it landed in the basket, but some of it didn't make it.

Peter turned away from Tony and buried his face in the sheets. Tony cleaned up the mess then sat down next to Peter. He knew how the kid didn't like to be taken care of, but what was Tony supposed to do, just leave him? Tony didn't realise Peter was crying until the kid started sniffling.

"Mr Stark, 'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry. I shouldn't have co-come, I don't wanna be a burden, I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry, I'm sorry-"

Peter would've kept going, but Tony placed a hand on his back, making Peter flinch. "Hey, Pete, look at me." When Peter didn't, Tony sighed and said, "Peter, come on. If you don't look at me, I'll break out the full name."

Peter slowly rolled over to face Tony. Kid's a mess thought Tony, seeing the snot and tears running down Peter's face.

"You're not a burden and it's not your fault. If anything, it's my fault. I should've seen sooner-but blame isn't going to do anything. Listen, you sleep tonight, then tomorrow we'll watch all the Star Wars you want."

"Thanks, Mr Stark...you're the-the best." Peter closed his eyes and fell asleep. Tony was surprised he slept that quickly, but he wasn't going to wake a sick boy.

Tony slowly brushed the hair off Peter's face then said softly to the AI, "Hey, J? Alert me if anything changes."

"Yes, sir," J.A.R.V.I.S. said quietly, then Tony walked out of the room.

That night, at three in the morning, J.A.R.V.I.S. told Tony that Peter was mumbling in his sleep. Tony rushed out of the room and down to Peter. What he heard made his blood run ice cold.

"No...please no...I'll do anything...don't hurt Aunt May...please I-no! Please...please...Mr Stark don't hurt Aunt May. Don't hurt her…"

Tony didn't know what to think. Didn't Peter know that he would never, never, hurt Aunt May? Walking slowly into the room, Tony tried not to hear Peter pleading, but it was too much. "Dim the lights, J," Tony said, then touched Peter's shoulder.

Peter flinched hard, then awoke with a start and jumped on the ceiling. His eyes were huge and they flicked around the room before landing on Tony. "No-don't do this. Stay away from her!" Peter whimpered.

Tony slowly sat down on the bed, keeping his eyes focused on Peter. "Hey, Peter. I'm not going to hurt you, or Aunt May. It's okay."

Peter relaxed, falling back onto the bed. " 'M sorry."

"Hey Peter, look at me." Peter didn't, he just hid under the covers and curled up into a ball. "Peter Benjamin Parker. Look at me."

Peter slowly got out of the covers and looked at Tony. Tony said, "Pete, I would never hurt Aunt May. I don't know what happened in your dream, but I do know that it'll never happen."

Peter nodded slowly, then closed his eyes. Tony smiled at his intern's sleeping form, then left the room quietly. There were no other disturbances that night. The next day, both Peter and Tony chose not to talk about the events that transpired last night. Peter swung out of the window after breakfast, and that was that. But Tony heard Peter whisper softly, "Thanks, Mr Stark."

Tony waited till Peter was farther away, then said, "You're welcome, kid."

Wow. This was much longer than I expected...oops. Haha. Okay, on to important things. I'm taking prompts and updating (hopefully) every week. When school starts again my schedule is going to be a bit weird but until then...

Leave a review in the review box and if you have a request, either stick it in the review box or PM it to me.

-Pink Prickly Pears :)