Wade was spared from responding by the shrill ringing of Tony's phone.

The ring cut off as Jarvis spoke. "Agent Coulson on the line for you, sir."

"Answer it, Tony." Steve looked resigned. He knew that Fury would call a debriefing soon, but he had wanted at least a little more time at the hospital. his husband sighed, but did as he asked.

"What?" Tony spit out at the phone. the nose was muffled, Tony was paranoid about all of his genetically modified colleges hearing abilities. Even Clint - he had wonderful hearing aids. (Tony had made them, of course)

{Guy has a temper on him, thats for sure.}

[Can we try not to end up on the receiving side of it?]

"I am at the hospital, Coulson. I am busy. I will not leave Peter here alone -" the muffled voice cut in, louder, and Tony winced.

{Ha - ha - ha. Are you really that dumb?}

[Point taken. We do seem to end up on the bad side of most superheroes with anger management problems.]

"Okay, Maria, okay! No, I don't need you to put Pepper on the line. Put Coulson back on." there was a pause, then Tony spoke again.

"You are a traitorous ass, Coulson. Don't think that I'll forget this anytime soon." He slammed the phone shut, and stuffed it back in his pocket.

"Maria wants us in. And Pepper is there. So we have to go, because everyone wants to yell at us."

"Alright then." Steve paused and moved to the side of the bed opposite Wade.

"Peter, I'm sorry, we will be back in the morning. Just rest, okay? I'm so proud of you. I love you." Steve brushed the hair lovingly off his son's forehead and turned to Wade, who was fidgeting in the background, as Tony started to gather his tech and his suit.

"It was nice to meet you Wade, and I hope we will be talking again soon." he glanced at Peter, who was enraptured by his father, looking like a little boy.

{He likes us!}

[He is just being polite. No one likes us.]

{Spidey likes us!}

[Peter doesn't count.]

"Would you mind staying the night with -"

"No!" Tony spun around and gaped, wide eyed, at Steve.

{He might be a problem.}

[Obviously.]

{Crap.}

"I will not leave Peter here with this crazy - "

"He isn't crazy, Tony, he's a nice young man. "

{Oooh, thats funny.}

At this, Wade had to laugh, and even Peter cracked a grin. "Sir, I'm crazier than a bag of cats. But I wouldn't do anything to Petey." Wade looked at the smaller boy. "And anyway, he seems to handle getting hurt all by himself."

[You have no social tact.]

{Nope!}

Wade grinned as Tony's scowl deepened. "I don't trust you, Wade. So get out."

Steve placed a hand on his husbands shoulder. "Tony, Peter is grown up. Can we just ask him?" His tone was pleasant and calm, but Tony didn't fall for it.

"No. Wade isn't staying." Peter leaned forward slightly and brushed gently along the merc's arm. Wade turned, and Peter grabbed his wrist.

{He wants us to stay!}

"Please, Daddy?" He sounded so young, the drugs in his system and lack of rest affecting him strongly in his battered state. But it did the trick - Tony melted.

[Peter has quite the hold over Tony.]

{And quite the hold over us.}

{We aren't going to be able to leave him, are we?}

"Okay, fine, Peter. Sure thing." Then he narrowed his eyes at Wade, and his voice was not kind.

{Danger glare! run?}

[No.]

{Please?}

"But you -" He jabbed one finger sharply at Wade, growling, "You had better not even think of doing anything stupid. I'll have Jarvis monitoring the whole time."

{Oooh, an audience. bow chika bow wow.}

[Shut up. We are trying not to die, remember?]

{Aww, no fun.}

"Okay, yes sir, not to worry! Going to be perfectly good!" Wade squeaked out. Peter deliriously laughed and squeezed his fingers.

{What the hell was that?}

[We squeaked.]

{You thinking what I'm thinking?}

[Of course.]

{Time to hand in the Man-Card then.}

"Hey! the dude is fucking scary!" Wade whispered.

"What?"Tony raised his eyebrows at the young mans whispers, his voice quite like a growl.

"Nothing! I didn't say anything! Nothing at all! Not me!"

[Shut up, please.] the white box said, as Tony echoed the sentiment.

"Just shut up, Wade."

Steve sighed and took Tony's hand, trying to pull him out of the room. "Lets go, Tony."

Tony grumbled a bit, but picked up his bag and allowed himself to be propelled out of the room. Wade shrunk back against the bed as the left, each kissing Peters' forehead before they disappeared into the hall.

As the door clicked shut, Peter tugged on his hand. "I'm glad daddy let you stay." His delirious smile and wide eyes making him seem so innocent.

{The drugs really did a number to his mental faculties. So vulnerable. think of what we could get away with.}

[We are protecting the little drugged up spider. not exploiting him.]

{Yeah but - }

[Protecting him from himself and everyone else is priority one.]

{So much work. and look at him.}

[Yeah, we messed up.]

{Completely.}

"Yeah, me too Petey." He smiled, happy, and Peter could tell, even with Wade's mask on, and smiled back.

{Hey, Monopoly!}

"Monopoly?" Wade looked confused.

[Where the hell did that thought come from?]

"Monopoly!" Peter enthused.

{On the shelf over there!}

"Monopoly please Wade?" His eyes glimmered, and he grinned in that loopy lopsided way that made Wades heart melt.

{We have a heart?}

[Just go with it.]

"Okay Petey. But I get to be the little dog."