"It's got everything you need for the day and I added some extra protein in it for you."

Peter tried to turn his grimace into a smile as Steve handed him a health shake, or breakfast as he called it.

It was pink with seeds and what looked to be oats floating around in it. He squinted at it, carefully sniffing the gooey, liquid meal. "Thanks but...is that porridge at the bottom?"

Steve smiled knowingly. "Don't worry, you can't taste it. The oats will give you energy. Drink it."

Peter nodded, peering around him to see Tony frowning at his phone.

"Um, Tony can I-"

He didn't look up from his phone as he replied, monotone and very dad-like. "No, you cannot have Doritos for breakfast. Do what Steve says."

Peter's mouth fell open as he frowned. "I thought you wanted me to eat more?"

Tony swiped at his phone, eyes on the screen. "I do, but foods that will actually help you get stronger are a priority. You can have Doritos after you finish the shake."

Peter grumbled, swirling his drink and watching the oats float around. Steve laughed, sitting on the edge of his bed. "Oh, come on. You haven't even tried it."

Peter quickly defended, not wanting to be rude. "No, it's great! I really appreciate it. I just-"

Tony finally looked up from his phone, arching an eyebrow at the teenager. "You drink all of that and say thank you to Steve or I'll tell Ned not to come over today."

Peter tried not to pout but it was hardly fair. His voice was distinctly whiney. "But I wanted the cheesy goodness of Doritos. And you promised that Ned could come over once all my tubes were out and my senses were okay."

Tony narrowed his eyes, letting Peter know he wasn't kidding. He jerked his head towards Steve and Peter gave up, trying not to sulk as he smiled at Steve politely.

"Thank you for the shake, Steve." He hesitantly took a sip, expecting something disgusting but actually...

"Oh, this tastes good!"

Steve nodded, pleased and tapped the bottom of the bottle. "I told you. Now drink all of that. I'll go get your hoodie, it's too cold for you in here."

He left as Peter drank some more and Tony came over to the bed.

"You nervous about seeing Ned? Here, let me fix your hair, you've got curls everywhere."

Peter shrugged at the question, sitting still as Tony rearranged his unruly locks. "I don't know. Maybe a little. How much does he know?"

Tony considered his answer. They hadn't told him much and all the different stories were hard to keep track of. "He knows you were taken by Toomes and that you were sick when we got you back. We didn't tell him about anything else."

Peter sighed, relieved. "Good. So he didn't see the tapes?"

Tony shook his head, taking Peters chin and tilting his face this way and that to see if his hair was presentable. "No, I thought you should be able to control how much your friend knows. There, all done. We really need to get your haircut. I'll have Happy call someone this afternoon."

Peter felt his face warm with a smile. Tony pretended like it wasn't a big deal, but he understood what it meant to Peter to be able to have his best friend treat him like he always did. He knew how important it was that Peter had someone that wouldn't look at him with all that pain in their eyes.

"Thanks, Tony."

He met Peters' eyes and smiled. "No problem, kid."

"Sir, Ned has just arrived. Shall I direct him to Peter's room?" Friday's voice came through the room, pleasant and chirpy as always, reminding Peter of Karen. He missed her.

Tony started tidying the space, pushing the tray table to the end of the room and folding clothes. "Yeah, thanks."

Peter had been moved back to his own room, not needing to stay in the med-bay now that Bruce was satisfied his organs were working again. Peter liked it better, sleeping in his own bed. He finally felt like he was actually recovering, although he was still working on getting his strength back.

Steve came back in, holding up clothes for Peter to choose from. "Hoodie or sweater?"

Peter drank more of his breakfast as he looked between the two. "Umm, hoodie. The blue one."

Tony took the rejects, while Steve wrapped the hoodie around Peters back and helped him put his arms through. He zipped it up for him just as Ned walked through the door.

"Peter."

All eyes went to the teenager and his shocked face. Peter was a little nervous, putting his drink down and watching Neds wide, almost frightened eyes. He knew why the fear was there. He looked different, with the long hair and the caved in cheeks. He'd been putting more weight on but he still had a ways to go.

He tried to erase the anxiety from his own voice. "Hey, Ned."

Steve and Tony stood back, the room silent for a moment before Ned surged forward, racing towards his friend and wrapping him up in a hug.

Peter let out a small laugh and hugged him back as Ned 's quick tongue spilt all the questions he'd been dying to ask.

"Are you okay? What happened? They said Liz's dad took you and you were gone for weeks! And then May said you were dying and I couldn't see you and- Dude I missed you so much."

Peter felt his eyes dampen at the slight tremble in Ned's voice and found his to be the same.

"I missed you too."

Tony smiled at the kids, calling out to Ned before he and Steve left them to themselves. "Nice to see you again, Ned. Make sure Peter drinks that whole thing there, and just call out to Friday if you need anything."

Ned released Peter and nodded at the two in the doorway. "Thanks, Mr Stark, nice to see you too. And don't worry, I'll take care of him."

Steve closed the door behind him, and Ned sat on the edge of Peters bed, carefully gripping the pale boy's arms.

"Are you okay, now? Tony said you were healing but you still look sick."

Peter nodded tugging his hoodie closer to him in an attempt to hide his hollow limbs. "I'm okay. How was everything when I was away?"

Ned frowned at Peters choice of words, not liking how he'd made it sound as if he was just on holiday. But he shrugged and answered anyway.

"Everyone at school thinks you were in a car accident. There was a rumour going around that you'd died and people kept coming up to me and hugging me. That was weird. MJ's worried about you but I told her that you were okay. It would be easier to convince her if you'd just answer our texts."

Peter couldn't imagine how hard it would have been for Ned, not knowing what was happening with Peter and having people constantly asking about it.

"Sorry man, I know that must have been hard. Thanks for going with the cover story, it could be a lot messier if everyone knew the truth. The phone thing though...I actually haven't gotten it back yet. I didn't even think about it."

The last time he'd seen his phone was before he'd been taken in the alley. He'd have to ask Tony for it later.

Ned tried for a smile, narrowing his eyes at Peter as he changed subjects. "Hey, what was with Steve and Tony before?"

Peter snapped out of his thoughts, focusing on more pleasant ones. "What do you mean?"

Ned gestured to the door. "Are they your dads now?"

Peter laughed, light and bubbly, feeling like his old self again. "What? No."

Ned wasn't convinced, arching one eyebrow. "Really? Because when I came in here Steve was doing up your hoodie for you, like a dad. And Tony was folding your clothes and doing your hair, like a dad. And you have your own room here, in Tony's tower where they live in, like-"

Peter finished his sentence, nodding. "Like they're my dads, yeah I get it. I guess they kind of are. They take care of me and they're the ones that saved me from…" He couldn't bring himself to say the name, and the mere thought of Toomes was enough to make him shudder.

He blinked, shaking out his shoulders and finished his thought. "Anyway, it's just because we're a team. They all take care of each other too."

Ned smiled, his tone teasing. "Yeah, but you're the baby of the team. They love you the most."

Peter laughed, shoving Ned's shoulder. "I'm not a baby."

Ned didn't relent. "Yeah, you are."

He tilted his head, thinking. "So, if Steve and Tony are your dads, that means Dr Banner is your uncle. Bucky and Sam- I met them once when I tried to come see you, that was weird- they're like your older brothers."

Peter couldn't disagree with him. "Well, you're my brother too so does that mean Tony and Steve are your dads?"

Ned's eyes went wide. "Oh, that would awesome! You wanna be roomies?"

Peter laughed, feeling normal for the first time since he'd been taken. This was exactly why he was so glad that Ned hadn't been told about what happened to him. Ned was normal, Ned was what kept him grounded to his old self. And he couldn't be more grateful to him for that.

…..

"Can I have some water? Please." Peter shook his half-empty water bottle, the liquid sloshing around in front of him.

Tony frowned as he looked over. "It's not even empty yet, Pete."

The teenager smiled, showing all his teeth. "Plleeeeaaasse."

Tony rolled his eyes but Peter could see the smile he was hiding and handed the bottle over. "Fine, I'll get you your water. Change your shirt, Bruce and Steve will be in soon."

He went out to the next room to fill the bottle as Peter groaned. "Ugh, do I have to have a checkup? I just got out of the med bay and you said I'd get to go to school soon. I'm fine, see?"

To prove his point, Peter swung his legs over the side of the bed, pressing his feet to the floor and taking his weight. He'd been doing physical therapy with Steve and he was getting stronger.

It was still hard to walk, given that he had been too weak to for so long, but he managed a few shaky steps before Tony walked back in.

"Peter! Stop doing that!"

He ran in, placing the water bottle down, and wrapping his arms around the kid's waist. Peter rolled his eyes as he was pushed back to bed.

"I'm fine, I can do it by myself."

Tony frowned, concern and anger darkening his tone. "You do it when someone is there with you, Peter. What would have happened if you fell?"

He pushed the teenager back to his bed, lifting his legs back up onto the mattress with a little more force than necessary.

Peter was grumpy too, crossing his arms as he sulked. "I'm not gonna fall, Tony. You don't have to worry about me."

Tony frowned, heart rate slowly coming down after the fight he'd gotten seeing Peter walking on his own. He sighed, voice softer.

"I'm sorry. I know you can do things by yourself, I just don't want you getting hurt again."

Peter looked up at his mentor, seeing the concern in his eyes, and relenting. "Okay. I won't do it again unless someone's here. But seriously, when can I go back to school?"

Tony laughed, ruffling Peters hair as the kid whined. "God, you are such a nerd. You can go back once you get the all clear."

"Bruce said I'm fine."

Tony looked away. "That's not who I meant."

Peter was about to ask him to clarify, when Bruce and Steve walked in, all smiles.

"Hey, Peter. How are you feeling today?"

The teenager was getting seriously tired of answering that question, but he smiled anyway.

"I'm fine. I can eat as much as I used to before and I walked across the room on my own yesterday."

He gave a pointed look to Tony, who rolled his eyes.

Bruce hardly noticed and sat on the edge of the bed. "That's great! Can I see your finger?"

Peter gave him his hand, Bruce holding it and turning it over so his palm was up. "Can you curl your fingers to your palm?"

All eyes watched as Peter did as he was told, but while four of his fingers obeyed his command, his bad finger only curled half-way.

Bruce gave his hand back to Peter glared at the offending digit. "It still won't do it."

The doctor turned, taking a metal rod when Cap offered it. "It's okay, it's actually better than it was yesterday which is good. It's improving. Now for your strength."

Bruce handed the metal pipe to Peter, smiling eagerly. "Let's see if you can bend it."

Peter wasn't sure how well he'd do and wasn't even sure if he wanted to try. What if he couldn't it? What if he could and they sent him home? He took the pipe and squeezed his fingers around the cool metal.

It felt heavy and thick, or like it should have been heavy for anyone other than him. The metal usually wouldn't have been a problem for him, but it didn't immediately bend under his slight pressure, and he stopped.

"I...I don't want to do it right now." He put the pipe down, pushing it away, and looked down at his lap. He didn't know how to explain the way he felt, because he wasn't totally sure himself.

Bruce put a hand on his shoulder and Peter fidgeted at his touch. "It's okay, Peter. Your strength will come back to you. You're still recovering."

Peter didn't say anything but Steve seemed to know what was happening.

"Hey, why don't we get started on your physical therapy today? We can take a walk outside."

Tony watched them closely, trying to translate Steve's silent conversation with Peter into something he could understand.

Peter nodded and Steve knelt down to put the teenager's shoes on for him before he wrapped his arm around Peters' waist to hold his weight as he got out of bed.

Peter kept his head low as they left, concentrating on moving his feet without stumbling.

They made their way outside to the garden, the fresh air making Peter feel less trapped and smothered.

"You wanna talk about it?"

Peter looked up at Steve's voice, frowning. "About what?"

Steve's voice was kind and patient, but still, his answer took Peter by surprise. "The pipe and how you didn't even try to bend it."

Peter stumbled, feet tripping over themselves until Steve tightened his grip around his waist and lifted him up. He righted his feet and tried to get out a response.

"What are you talking about?"

The first Avenger got them walking again, tone calm. "I know you've been having a rough time with recovery, but there's no need to lie. Why didn't you try?"

Something took his concentration, a sound like a rustling bush, and Peter whipped his head around to search for the source, heart pounding.

"Peter?"

It was a bird. Just a bird. Peter turned back around and tried to slow his racing his heart as he answered. "I don't know. I didn't want to."

Steve loosened his grip a little on Peters' waist, letting the teenager take more of his own weight.

"I might be able to help if you explain. Just say whatever's in your head. No judging, I promise."

Peter shrugged, growing more anxious as they walked. He didn't know how to explain. "I don't know, I just didn't want to try and then fail and see you all looking at me like you always do."

"Like what?"

"Like I'm a baby like you pity me."

They stopped walking, Steve frowning as he looked down at him. "We don't pity you, Peter. We're just worried and we want to help you get better. We care about you and if you want to recover you need to try."

Peter shook his head, frustrated, and kept walking. "I do try but...what if I get better and you send me home? I'll just be on my own and you will all get on with your lives without me. I probably won't even be part of the team anymore."

He flinched again when a bird cawed behind them and he turned to the sound, shoulders coming up to his ears as he mumbled to himself. "I'm fine. It's fine. Where's my drink bottle?"

Steve watched him closely, arm loosening from Peters' waist. "That's not true. We all care about you, Peter. If you get better and want to stay at the compound we'll be more than happy to have you. You don't have to worry about that."

Peter turned back around and started up the path, too distracted to notice that Steve wasn't walking with him anymore.

"But what about T-"

He still couldn't say his name. It got stuck in his throat and refused to come out. He tried again. "What about him? He might come back. How am I supposed to fight him off on my own?"

Steve sighed. "He's not coming back."

Peter turned at another noise as he fidgeted. "How do you know that? He got out of prison once before he could do it again. What is that? Where's my drink bottle?"

Steve reached out a hand to placate the teenager but Peter just kept walking down the path back to the compound. "You need to calm down, you're safe. I promise he's not going to come back."

Peter turned, voice raising as he grew angry. "You can't promise that! You can't just lock him up and be sure he's not going to get out again! He knows who I am and if he comes back I won't be able to fight him off and I won't even be able to run away!"

Steve tilted his head, gesturing to Peter as he walked in front of him. "Are you sure about that? You seem to be doing a pretty good job of it so far."

Peter blinked, looking down at his feet and realising he'd been walking on his own for the last five minutes. His voice was quiet. "Oh."

Steve closed the distance between them, placing his huge palms on Peters' shoulders and gripping his arms with a surprisingly gentle touch. "You're safe and you're healing. If you don't want to go home yet, that's okay. But you need to know that no matter where you are, you're safe."

Peter looked up at him, huge eyes trying and failing to hide his fear. "I can stay? Even when I'm better?"

Steve wrapped his arm around his shoulders, walking with him back inside. "Of course."