Hey guys. Sorry for uploading so late. I told you this would be a long one. Now, I will edit this to fix things and such like I always do.

Once again, I do my best to keep these characters, well, in character. And I did my best with conveying emotions throughout this one.

I own nothing of Marvel. But I do hope you enjoy.


Who'd have thought that one incident could set off such a chain reaction? Either of them didn't.

The aftermath of Tony's arrival at school caused a mass media incident that lasted for days. Reporters, paparazzi, and mostly the whole student body had footage and pics of the day it happened and the post reactions of both guys. For Peter, he had to avoid the press before and after school for just one day when Tony found out right away and barked at them to leave Peter alone or else they'd all be jobless for life. No more nosy reporters. However, it took the rest of the week for it to cool down at school, until a pop star's visit to NY grabbed everyone's attention and making Peter blend back in again.

However, that wasn't what troubled him. The night after he had what was probably one of the worst nightmares he ever had. He was back at the warehouse where he confronted Toomes; Liz's dad who found out his identity, when some very familiar words came out of Toomes's mouth.

"How do you think your buddy Stark payed for that tower? Or any of his little toys? Those people up there, Pete, the rich and the powerful … they do whatever they want. Guys like us … like you and me … they don't care about us. We build their roads and we fight all their wars and everything. They don't care about us. That's how it is. I know you know what I'm talking about, Peter."

Back then, he didn't believe a word he said. But why now was he feeling strange? He knew it was just a dream, nothing more. But when the roof collapsed on him like before, Toomes's voice boomed out, saying something entirely new.

"You really think he gives a damn about you? He's used you from the very start. You fought for him, you obeyed him like an obedient pup, and how did he repay you? He ignored you. He avoided you. He lost faith in you. That's the reality of it, Peter. In the very end, you'll be forgotten, abandoned … nothing."

Peter waked up crying out, not waking his aunt but leaving him a sweaty mess with tear stained cheeks. He tried calming down but the morbid wound it left in his heart was so painful for some reason. It was just a dream! Why was he reacting like this? Toomes was locked up and he and Tony were buds now. Then why did he feel so hurt, so confused, so empty?

After trying to sleep for hours, he ended up donning his suit and swinging around the rooftops to get some air. He went back in when dawn approached and got ready for school, not responsive to May as she said good-bye to him. School was no different. Peter was closed off from everyone and MJ and Ned tried coaxing him to talk but he kept his head down and face plain, emotions ranging from lost to worrisome. And when his texts to Happy were little to none, he got texts from Tony asking if he was okay. He replied back, saying he was and just had a lot to think about, just lying to himself. At first, Tony prodded him a bit but realizing that even the kid needed space, he held back for now. Being Spider-Man didn't change as he did as much as he could but when he woke up from another nightmare, he found swinging in the cool night air relaxing. But that didn't mean it would last.

Because of his enhanced abilities, taking care of himself was priority #1. But Peter being sleep-deprived, his latest Spidey venture was not so pleasing. There was a bank heist that ended up being a hostage situation. A well known team of four thieves held over a dozen people hostage with guns to their heads. He had Karen activate reconnaissance mode to get a layout of the bank and saw an opening in the vents. He quickly got in and had Karen help plan a perfect takeout plan when she alerted him that he was low on energy and may not be able to take all of them down, especially since they're armed, but being sleepy meant he snapped at her saying he got it. However, it ended up being a complete disaster.

Several were injured and one was losing blood fast. Peter had only three of the baddies webbed up but the last one, the leader, held a young woman hostage with a gun to her head. Peter was freaking out mentally at how everything could turn out so wrong, trying to think of a way to fix this by reasoning with the guy when Karen alerted him that Mr. Stark was coming. No sooner than later, Iron Man himself had arrived and shot one of his tiny missiles and angled it to hit the back of the guy's neck, stunning him long enough for Peter to web the gun and sling it away before webbed the woman's wrist and pulling her to him when Iron Man blasted down the doors to sock the guy hard. Everything after; police arresting those thieves, medics tending to the injured and one of them being put on a stretcher and into an ambulance. The woman thanked him and actually hugged him before blending into the crowd. The police lights, the commotion, the smell of blood … his senses were high and he felt wobbly on the legs when he spotted Tony talking with the medic before turning to see him web-sling out of there, not ready to face him. But, life wasn't fair like that.

Just as he made across several rooftops, Iron Man landed in front of him, making him halt. "Hey there, Spider-Man. Tell me something. How did today work out for you, hmm?"

Peter frowned, walking aside. "I did the best I could do. I didn't know it would play out like that." He reasoned.

Tony shook his head. "No you didn't. You were off your game."

Peter snapped. "No I'm not!" He just stared at the iron face for a few moments. "I didn't mean for anyone to get hurt."

"No one died. Lucky you." Tony dryly stated. Peter looked away, not in the mood for this. "What is up with you?"

"Nothing." Tony started approaching him when Peter stepped back. "I don't want to talk about it."

"Well, I do, whether you like it or not. Especially when F.R.I.D.A.Y told me that a certain web-head had Karen tinker with his watch so I wouldn't find out about their vitals being off. For days! I just found out today when you decide to swing on over here. I knew you couldn't handle it in your condition so I had to step in." Tony sounded frustrated, and Peter couldn't blame him. "So, once again you hacked into my stuff, lied to me, and went in over your head. Again." Tony said sternly.

"No one died. The bad guys are locked up. It's over. Just drop it." Peter said, distancing himself from the real problem.

"Oh no, don't try to worm your way out of this! You're in hot water, underoos and you're gonna give me a straight answer, now!" Tony finally reached him, grabbing his arm and forcing him to look. Peter didn't know why but he felt something inside him snap. Toomes's words echoed in his mind, giving him a reason to talk back.

"Why do you care? You're the rich and powerful Tony Stark. You've got connections and have so many people working for you, fighting for you, even taking the fall for you. You've got money, weapons, your toys to do the work for you. You do whatever you want … but people like me … we clean up your messes. The Avengers, Captain America, Vulture, you could have handled them all on your own and instead … you had me fight for you … and how did you repay me? You ignored me for two months straight and only showed up when I screwed up in your eyes when I was the only one giving a damn about stopping Toomes. Ned was there for me, May was there for me, even Toomes gave me a chance and thought we were the same … maybe we were … that's more than I can say about you, Mr. Stark," Peter hissed heatedly.

Tony recoiled back. He never heard the kid sound like that, even more when he went back to Mr. Stark. Maybe it was frustration from lack of sleep. Even so, he felt himself getting angrier with the kid, not to mention disappointed. He let go of him and turned away, taking some moments to take deep breaths to calm down, trying his hardest not to smack that kid. Finally, he spoke in a low but serious tone, "No more Spider-Man until you've rested enough and when you have the maturity to come and apologize, you know where to find me."

Peter couldn't look at him either and muttered detached, "As you wish, Mr. Stark." Peter shot his web and swung off, leaving Tony feeling something new inside him again. Only instead of being warmth, it was a piercing gut wrenching ache. He didn't like it. Whatever was going on with Peter was making this whole thing going to rock bottom. Everything he said … about the team … Cap … Peter thought he was just a soldier to Tony. And Toomes, he kept saying his name … almost sounded regrettable … what just happened?!

He would have to do some digging. But when he returned to the compound to start, he didn't realize it would give him a whirlwind of gut wrenching feels. It took some time, but FRIDAY managed to salvage what was left. Video feed, records, all of it. But after finally finishing it all, Tony was bent over, cursing over and over in the palm of his hands, regretting it all. By the time he asked FRIDAY what day it was, it had now been one week since his fight with Peter. Tony had the look of blame on his face.

"What have I done?"

OOO

A week without Spider-Man. Peter thanked whatever deity there was that nothing serious happened while on his grounding. But he was still upset with Tony. He couldn't get their fight out of his head. Well, more like he snapping at Tony. Didn't mean he was sorry for what he said. Right? He knew he wasn't paying attention much in school and his sleeping problem wasn't getting any better. One time May noticed the dark circles under his eyes and confronted him about it. He knew she wouldn't appreciate lying to her again so he told her everything. Why he could tell her and not Tony, it wasn't because she was family. It was whether or not Toomes was right.

He was now at Ned's, retelling him everything that happened.

"Dude, I think you should apologize."

"Come on, seriously?" Peter complained.

"I mean, we're talking about Iron Man here! An Avenger! If you don't make up with him, then you'll be back to square one and I won't get to see the compound anymore – I mean uh, we won't get to see it anymore." Ned slipped, ended weakly, getting a narrowed look from Peter. "Sorry! But seriously Peter, you know you screwed up."

Peter crossed his arms and stewed in his own ball of guilt, realizing that Ned was right. He shouldn't have snapped at Tony. He didn't deserve it, not after everything he's done for him. He sighed, dejected, "I know. Argh!" He rolled over in Ned's bed, face planted in his pillow while Ned built the Lego Millennium Falcon on the floor. "I can't believe I did that." He mumbled.

"Why did you do that?" Ned asked.

Peter groaned lightly before lifting his face up, ashamed. "Toomes. I believed everything he said just from that one dream. At first, I didn't. But now, I … I don't know." Peter drifted off for a minute there, finally saying something that was on his mind for some time. "What am I to Tony?"

"What do you mean? You're his intern, his partner, his friend."

"No I – I mean, really? I'm just a kid from Queens that he plucked from out of the blue to help him. And up til now, that's always been the same. Nothing's changed, not really. I … I don't know."

"Well, what do you want?"

Peter looked up at the ceiling, laying on his back, wondering the same thing. What did he want? Well, he wanted answers. About what really went down with the Avengers, what happened between Tony and Cap, these Accords he keeps hearing about, but most of all … he wanted to know if Tony cared about him. And not just as his intern or as Spider-Man. But as his kid. His. Peter felt tears pricking his eyes as he felt ashamed that since their fight, he hadn't bothered to message him or Happy. He pretty much blocked them off and Happy stopped picking him up after school, no doubt mad at him too. Peter got up and said he had to go home, saying he'd see Ned later before walking out, feeling Ned's worried eyes on him.

After getting home, realizing that May was still at work and had the place to himself, Peter went straight to his room, laying in his top bunk and flashed back to Tony getting this new mattress to help his back when he got hurt. He looked across the room to see the watch Tony also gave him and frowned more for getting Karen to hacking it. Peter curled into a ball and cried softly to sleep, wishing he could take everything back. But that's when he got another nightmare, only this one was the worst of them all.

The roof just collapsed on him when he saw Tony standing before him. He begged Tony to help him, to save him. But all Tony did was stare right through him, nothing showing in his eyes. Blankness. Like all the joy and happiness was sucked right out of him.

"I never should have recruited you. I never should have found you. I wish I never met you at all."

Then, he vanished just as the debris crushed Peter, making him scream as he woke up hyperventilating. He hugged himself, taking deep breaths before burying his face in his hands. They just wouldn't go away. But why? And Tony wished he never met him. But that was just a dream. And after one whole week without seeing the billionaire genius, Peter felt tears welling up. He missed Tony. He really did.

To think their rebooted bond started out the other way around.

Peter knew he had to get out and see Tony. He had every reason to apologize and make up for what he said, even if their bond wouldn't be the same anymore. He quickly changed into his suit and hoping to get back before May, climbed out from his window, careful not to get spotted and swung off.

OOO

Once he reached the forests surrounding the compound, he felt unsure of what to say to Tony. I'm sorry may not cut it alone. How about groveling on his hands and knees? Oh God, talk about humiliating. But getting so caught up with his thoughts and his lack of good rest finally caught up to him as he missed a branch and started flailing down fast. But before he could find a way to grab onto something or shoot a web somewhere up high, he hit something metal. Metal arms went under his, being hauled up into the air. Just as he started getting his bearings, he could pick up repulsor sounds. Peter gulped as Iron Man held onto him tight and flew them to his balcony. Once they landed, he gently set Peter down before they faced one another. Nothing was said for a few moments when the genius nodded his head at the doors, silently saying to go in. Peter was hesitant at first but getting a gentle push to the back, they both went into Tony's living room a few spaces apart.

The suit started pulling apart as Tony stepped out wearing his dark compression shirt and jeans, hair disheveled and eyes worn out. And Peter thought he looked bad himself. Still, he felt his eyes wavering again. He hugged himself, reprimanding himself mentally for being weak like this. But he didn't care.

Tony finally broke the silence. "Hey kid." He didn't sound mad, more like tired but gentle. Peter bit his lips, feeling overwhelmed by just those two words. Hearing his voice again. And he was doing it again, being weak. "We have to talk." Peter merely nodded when Tony walked up to him to slowly take his mask off, fidgeting as he didn't want Tony to see his face. "Come on, underoos. Being shy, are we?" Peter stopped fighting it so when his mask was pulled off, he looked away, aware his tears were seen. Tony sighed lightly. "Aw, kid." Peter rubbed them away quickly when Tony grabbed his arm, pulling him down to sit on the couch but for one splitting moment, Peter felt his emotions getting the better of him. Toomes, his dreams, Tony's true feelings about him, he couldn't take it anymore.

He hugged Tony first, startling the genius as Peter buried his face in his chest, heaving breaths as he cried. More like a breakdown. "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean anything I said! I didn't! Please don't hate me!" Peter felt nothing would happen to prove what he said when he felt Tony's arms circle around him, hugging him back. It was reassuring and comfort, making Peter break down more. He didn't want to lose Tony again. He couldn't take it. "Please don't leave again!"

"Hey, hey. Where's all this coming from, huh?" Peter cried deeper, making Tony shush him before rubbing his hand up and down Peter's back while his other hand brushed through Peter's hair. Peter remembered May doing the same for him when he lost his internship and it was nice. But when Tony did it, it was something more. Peter held on to Tony more and he just hugged his little spider tighter. "It's okay, little spider. I'm not mad anymore, alright? I'm not. I don't hate you. I … I could never hate you."

Peter's cries grew less as he looked up a bit. "You don't?" He croaked out.

Tony shook his head and laid his chin atop Peter's head, tucking him in close. "How can I? Sure, you may be a pain at times but … you're worth it. You've always been worth it." Peter felt himself calm down slowly. "Which is why we have to talk." Tony adjusted themselves as he propped his feet up on the coffee table while he ushered Peter to pull his legs up on the couch, curling next to him as they still hung onto each other.

"Peter," Tony looked down at him as he spoke in a calm but serious tone, "You know that my past isn't perfect. I've made more mistakes than anyone else and I regret all of it. One of them being building weapons only to have them fall into the hands of monsters … people I had betray my trust … and people that lost their trust in me. The Avengers … they're broken because we picked sides thinking we were doing what was right and it ended up blowing up in all our faces. The Accords were meant to bring peace … but it was the very thing that divided us … we all lost something. Including me. I won't delve into that deeper but I will, when I'm ready for it … sorry." Tony spoke, eyes distant but voice soft yet sad.

Peter kept his arms around his idol, mumbling, "It's okay."

Tony gave a hint of a smile as his hand went back to brushing Peter's hair as he went on. "I thought I didn't have much left to look forward to. Sure I'm rich, I have my toys, and possibly anything I can ever want. But that's far from true." Peter stilled when he heard those words; Toome's words as well as his own. Peter trembled a bit when Tony's other hand rubbed up and down his arm, calming him down. "We all make mistakes, kid. It's part of life. And you have to make things right. I did everything I could; being Iron Man, being the generous philanthropist I am," he praised himself lightly, making Peter crack a grin, "and then I met you."

Peter relaxed as Tony laid back against the couch, staying to his side. "I want this stuck in your brain from here on out, got it?" Peter nodded, getting anxious. "Yes, I did recruit you to help me fight Capsicle; that's what I call him. But everything after that; the internship, being your mentor, it was just so I could keep a close eye on you … if anything happened to you on my watch … I don't want to think about it. I was wrong losing my faith in you. I should have listened. I should have stayed close by. I shouldn't have pushed you away … I do that with everyone really … I guess being close with anyone means I've given them a death sentence." He grimly stated.

"But Toomes?" Peter went still again but Tony kept going. "He's something else." He growled lowly. Tony held Peter closer by just uttering that man's name. "I know, kid. I know everything." Peter tried speaking but his throat constricted, feeling weak to speak against him and Tony noticed. "You can't hide anything from me. You should know that by now." Peter hid his face in Tony's chest again as he continued. "I saw you confront Toomes at the warehouse. I heard what you two said. Same things you said to me. I've dealt with worse … but it still wasn't right … coming out of your own mouth, I knew it hadn't been the real you saying those things. That's when I stopped being mad and more concerned. Then … he dropped that ceiling on you."

Peter frowned grimly, his memories and dreams combined making him feel worse. But, Tony's words changed all that. "I never wanted to blast someone so much in my life. Those before yes, but nothing like this. I kept hearing you cry out for help and I felt sick. If I listened to you before instead of acting like my ass of a dad, you would have had your suit. This freak would have been behind bars sooner. You wouldn't have been hurt in the first place … then you managed to lift your way out. Everything else, I … it was tough for me watching him beating you to a pulp … yet after all that … you still went in and saved him." Tony smiled sadly, voice wavering and laced with such guilt when Peter caught his dark brown eyes glossed over. He never once saw Tony cry in person but he wasn't shedding a single tear, trying to stay strong. "I've said it before, I'll say it again. You'll be better than me and you already are."

Peter felt himself summing up his courage to speak at last, pulling away to hug himself, ducking his head feeling ashamed. "I haven't been sleeping well for the past week or so. That's why I asked Karen to hack my watch. I thought it was silly bringing you into it, but I should have told you from the start." Tony turned to face him but didn't speak, waiting patiently. "I've been having nightmares … about that night with Toomes … he said you didn't care about me at all … that I'll be forgotten … and – and you appeared and … you – you wished you never met me at all … and I couldn't bear it." Peter gritted his teeth as the waterworks were happening again.

Tony immediately pulled Peter into a protective, warming hug. "That will never happen. You hear me? Not. Gonna. Happen. I messed up big time, I admit it. Dent in my pride, yes, but I don't give a damn. I messed up in the past but I'm not screwing this up, not again."

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you." Peter whimpered.

"Me too. But all this has made me realize that … that you're …"

"Your underoos?" Peter wavered out.

Tony shook his head, pulling away to look at Peter's teary face before brushing them away then holding his shoulders, smiling warmly. "You're more than that. You're not just my underoos, my intern – way more than that. You mean so much to me now because … you're my kid. My kid."

Tony's voice was strong, full of emotion as Peter processed all of it. He said it again like before with Flash but this time, it was official. Peter felt all his sadness fade away and replaced with a surge of joy as he flung himself into Tony's arms. Tony merely chuckled before sighing out deeply, "What have you done to me, kid?"

Peter smiled as he hugged more, "I missed you, Tony."

Tony smiled at him, hugging back,"I missed you too, pal." They stayed close in a comfy silence when thunder boomed out, startling both of them. Tony turned around to see rain pouring down hard, lightning streaking the sky. "Cats and dogs setting, huh? F.R.I.D.A.Y, how long's it gonna last?"

"For the rest of the night, sir." The AI replied back, Peter marveling at how lifelike Tony's AI sounded.

"Guess you're stuck here for the night, kiddo."

"May! I have to call her. I don't want her searching all night for me out there." Peter had Karen call her since he left his phone in his room and walked to the side of the room and Tony stayed cleared to give him space. Several things were exchanged but relief covered Peter's face as he assured her he was fine and with Tony, saying sorry profusely, and promising to come back first thing in the morning. He said I loved you and goodbye before he had Karen hang up. He turned around, sighing relieved. "She was mad but she's glad I'm indoors. I have to get back first thing tomorrow." He looked uncomfortable for some reason.

"What's wrong?" Tony sounded concerned.

"I … don't have anything to wear to bed." Peter mumbled, cheeks pink and looking shy. To Tony, it was amusing as well as cute. Damn, realizing today how much Peter truly meant to him, he felt warmth inside his heart.

"Well, I can fix that." Tony walked past him, smirking over his shoulder. "Sorry we have no Hello Kitty pants available." Peter shoved him lightly, making Tony laugh as he led Peter to his room. Peter couldn't help but smile. Everything was finally coming together again.


I was gonna add something else in the end. But I guess it can be in the next part; a very special part indeed.

Once again, thank you guys so much for supporting this story. It means so much.

Now, I will do my very best to get the final part up today or around midnight. IDK. But I will.

Until next time, bye guys!