Trigger Warning: Panic attacks throughout
Bo's Unusual Quality
The first time Peter had a panic attack was when Tony had to leave on a business trip. Pepper too. His heart raced, his breathing increased, and his eyes were full of fear. Don't leave me, don't leave me, he had cried, racing to his parents and hugging them tightly.
The second time had been at school, when he'd forgotten to study for his oral report, even though it wasn't even due yet.
The third was when Pepper and he drove by a construction site and he saw the crushed rubble of a fallen building, reminding him of when the Vulture had dropped a building on him.
The fourth was for no apparent reason, and it lasted for 20 minutes. It was then that Pepper and Tony decided to take Peter in for a doctor's visit. He was diagnosed with a panic disorder, and given some exercises he could do and emergency medicine to take.
This had been before Bo.
...
Dad had texted him. He'd be okay. Peter opened his phone and reread the string of texts sent just minutes ago.
Dad: Happy's gonna have to pick you up today kid. I'm alright, just got some business to attend to.
Petey-Pie: ok :(
Dad: You'll be fine. See you tonight.
Dad: I'll have Hap bring Bo, if that would help?
Petey-Pie: ok :(
So why wasn't he prepared for this? Ever since he'd been adopted, he'd developed a strong attachment to his parents, and didn't like being away from them. He managed school, although there was always an underlying feeling of dread. The black Audi pulled up instead of the orange one. Happy rolled down the window and greeted him.
"Hey, Kid," he said flatly, how he always did. Peter could feel his heart racing and his breathing quickened. He dropped his backpack and knelt on the sidewalk, one hand on his chest, as if he'd been struck.
"Kid, kid!" Happy jumped out of the car and got down in front of him. Peter whimpered and hid his face in his elbow. "Darnit, Tony," Happy muttered, fumbling his phone out of his pocket. "How do I deal with a panicking kid?" he muttered as he dialed his boss. He was about to put the phone to his ear, but Bo came flying out the open door on the Audi. He shoved his nose into Peter's chest, wagging and putting his paw on his knee. Peter's hands flew up involuntarily and tangled in Bo's fur. Ever so gently, Bo nudged Peter onto his back and laid on his chest.
Peter's breathing evened out and he stopped whimpering.
"Kid, where's your meds?" Happy asked frantically. Peter pointed weakly at his backpack, and Happy dug in it and found the zippered pouch that held them. Peter nudged Bo off of him and sat up, holding tightly to his collar.
"I-I d-don't need them, Ha-appy," Peter mumbled. "M'okay now." But as he glimpsed the empty black car once more, as it began again. Bo forced him down on the sidewalk again and laid on his chest, kissing his face. After a moment, Happy helped Peter take a little of his medication after he had calmed down.
"Are you ready to go now?" Happy asked quietly, and Peter nodded, fingers still tightly intertwined around his dog's collar. He helped Peter stand up and grabbed his backpack. "Hey, come on now! Go home!" Happy shouted angrily at the gaggle of kids gathered around them, and the kids slowly dispersed.
"D-did you see that, H-happy?" Peter asked as he crawled into the backseat and Bo followed, setting his head on his boy's lap.
"See what, kid?"
"What Bo d-did! He st-toped my panic attack! I've read ab-bout these dogs online. I th-hink Bo is a service dog!"
"But you got him at a shelter, Pete," Happy pointed out, pulling out of the school's parking lot.
"Yeah, I-i know, but how would he know how to do that?" Peter asked, ruffling his dog's hair.
"I don't know, kid," Happy replied.
"I'll have Dad look it up when I see him next." Peter took a deep breath. "Speaking of Dad, when's he coming home?"
"He'll be back tonight, okay?"
"Okay." Peter buried his face in Bo's fur.
When Peter arrived at the tower, he went, backpack, dog, and all, to Aunt Nat's floor. No way was he going to be by himself.
"Friday, alert me when Mom or Dad gets home," he said during the elevator ride.
"Certainly, Peter."
"Hello, pauk-detka," Natasha greeted as he stepped into her living quarters.
"Hi, Aunt Nat. Um, can I do my homework here?" he asked.
"Of course. What brings you by?" she asked, going to the fridge and withdrawing a couple gatorades. She tossed one his way. Masha, her cat, jumped up on the counter and stared at Bo disdainfully.
"I, um, I had another panic attack today," he replied. "Dad didn't pick me up from school, and he's not home yet, and, oh, I don't know..." Peter trailed off, embarrassed.
"It's okay, detka," Natasha replied, coming back and ruffling his hair.
"The most amazing thing happened though," Peter began, "I think Bo was a service dog!"
Natasha's eyes grew curious.
"How?" she asked.
Peter relayed the story to her. "I'm going to have Dad do some research when he gets back," Peter said excitedly. "I've never thought about having a service dog before," he said. "Maybe we can get him ceritifed and everything!"
"That's amazing, Peter," Natasha began. "Maybe you can. But for now, you have homework to get to. You can use my bed if you want."
"Yes!" Peter ran down the hall to her bedroom. Aunt Nat had the best bed ever. She had a super soft blanket and the mattress was like a marshmallow.
"The dog stays off though!" she called after him as the retriever trotted after his boy.
"Yes ma'am!"
...
"Peter."
The boy lifted his head and looked around. He was in Natasha's bed, school books around him. Bo was curled up next to him.
"Bo!" he hissed! "Off the bed!" The dog obediently jumped down.
"Peter."
"Oh, hi Friday."
"You asked me to inform you when Boss arrived home. He has just stepped onto your family floor."
"Awesome, thanks, Fri!" Peter leapt out of his surrogate aunt's bed, papers flying everywhere.
"Where's the fire? You get your homework done?" Natasha asked from her small kitchen table where she was grooming Masha.
"Um, I think so? I don't know. I fell asleep. Dad's home, see you later!" Peter jumped in the elevator, Bo following behind him. Natasha shook her head and went to her bedroom, collecting Peter's scattered school items. She'd have them sent up to him later.
...
"Dad!" Peter slammed into Tony's chest as soon as the elevator door reopened on his floor. Maximus, who had been perched on his shoulder, flew up to the light fixture, squawking his disdain.
"Hi, kiddo," Tony wheezed, wrapping his arms around Peter.
"Hey, I need you to look something up, because I think Bo is a service dog!" Peter exclaimed into Tony's shirt.
"Oh, yeah, Happy called me today and told me what happened. I'm sorry I couldn't get you today."
Peter shrugged sadly. "It's okay."
"I'll look into it soon, okay?"
"Okay, thanks!"
"Peter, Agent Romanoff would like me to notify you that your school books are still in her bedroom," Friday annouced out of the blue. Peter blushed.
"Oops. I'll go get it later," Peter muttered. "Can we go down to the lab?"
"Go get your schoolwork now or else you'll forget. I'll look into Bo's history while you're gone."
Peter was gone in a flash.
"Fri, get to work," Tony said.
"On it, Boss." It only took a few moments for Friday to gather every scrap of information she could possibly collect about Bo's history.
"Kid! I've got some news," Tony exclaimed when Peter came crashing back into the suite.
"Really? What?" Peter dumped his schoolwork on the table.
"Well, I had Friday do some digging. Turns out Bo here, who's full name is Beauregard, by the way, was a service dog for about a year for an elderly woman. He helped with her depression and anxiety, and brought her meds when needed. He was trained by Service Dogs of New York. Apparently the woman died and her relatives dumped him at the shelter, not wanting to deal with him."
"Is he still certified?" Peter asked. "Like, can he come to school with me?"
"I don't know. I'll contact SDNY and see what they say. You want him to come to school with you?" Tony inquired.
"Well, um, yeah, I mean, I, uh, um, had a panic attack the other day that I didn't tell you about, and then what happened today, and I, um, just thought it might be cool to have a dog with me. And, um, Flash still bothers me sometimes, you know, and-"
"Hold up, that kid is still being a jerk? I thought I told him to back off," Tony said. Peter flushed, remembering vividly how his dad had pulled the gauntlet out of his watch and threatened Flash.
"Yeah, um, but if Bo was with me, he might help," Peter mumbled.
"I'll see if he's still certified, and then if the school allows it, it's okay with me if he goes with you."
"Awesome!" Peter said. "Come on, Bo, let's go see what else you can do!" Peter ran off towards his bedroom, Bo hot on his heels.
Tony shook his head at his kid's antics, then pulled out his phone to call Service Dogs of New York.
...
"Mom! Dad! Check this out!" Peter ran into the living room where his parents sat on the couch, working on a few Stark Industries projects. Pepper had been told about Peter's attacks and Bo, and was quite interested.
"What, Peter?" she asked, clamshelling her laptop. Peter held up a finger, then tossed his pouch of meds on the coffee table. He got down on the floor and wrapped himself in a ball, fake whimpering. Bo did what he had done before, shoving his nose in his chest and wagging his tail, and laying on his chest. When Peter's fake attack seemed to get worse, Bo got the pouch of meds from the table and brought them to the boy.
"Good boy!" Peter said, taking the pouch and standing up.
"That's very good!" Pepper exclaimed while Tony grinned.
"Great job, kid. And I've got some great news. Mr Beauregard here is still certified. I've transferred ownership to us, and they are sending us a Service Dog vest and leash via overnight express."
Peter's entire face lit up. "Can he go to school with me?" Peter asked.
"Your Mom and I have talked about it. Yes, he can go to school with you because we believe he can genuininely help you, but he is not for showing off and messing around with, got it?"
Peter gave a sincere nod. "I understand."
"Good." Tony ruffled the kid's hair.
...
Peter clipped Bo's bright blue service dog harness around the dog's chest and middle. SERVICE DOG. I AM WORKING, PLEASE DO NOT PET ME, it read in big bold letters. Bo had been given a refresher course and been re-certified in Peter's name, so he was good to go.
"Ready for your first day of real work, buddy?" Peter asked the dog, making sure his panic medicine pouch was velcro-ed to the side of his bag, making it easily accessible for Bo if needed. Bo woofed in response and rolled over, asking for a belly rub. Peter patted him, then shouldered his backpack and stood. "Come on, silly, let's go." Peter trotted downstairs.
"Good morning, Peter. Ready for Bo's big day?" Pepper handed Peter a bowl of yoghurt and a banana. Peter took it and set it on the table, then scooped up a cup of dog food from the bin by the fridge, pouring it in Bo's bowl. He then dropped his backpack on the floor and sat down at the table and inhaled his breakfast.
"Slow down, kid," Pepper laughed, toeing his backpack out of the walkway and sitting down next to him. Peter swallowed and smiled bashfully; he was already finished. "Do you have water for Bo?" Pepper asked.
"Yep, I have 3 water bottles and a bowl for him already in my backpack."
Have a good day, Peter. Dad's waiting for you in the garage."
Peter deposited his dishes in the sink. "Bye, Mom." Peter shouldered his backpack and grabbed Bo's Ironman leash from the hook by the elevator. SDNY had sent him a new one that matched his blue harness, but Peter liked the Ironman one better. "Come on, Bo," Peter said, opening the elevator with a push of a button. Bo trotted behind him and they disappeared from view.
...
"Have a good day, kid. And remember, Bo is working. He's not to be a distraction, got it?" Tony asked as he pulled up to the school.
"Got it, Dad. Love you." Peter clipped Bo's leash to his harness and hopped out of the car.
"Love you too, kid," Tony said, then pulled away from the curb. Peter gripped Bo's leash tightly as the students strewn about the courtyard stared at him. Bo pressed against his leg comfortingly. Peter patted his head.
"Come on, buddy, let's go," Peter mumbled, refusing to look at everyone as he made his way inside.
"Dude!" Ned whisper yelled as he reached his locker. "Why didn't you tell me you got a service dog?"
"Oh, I forgot, Ned, sorry. And this is Bo! You've met him before! We found he was a service dog after I had a panic attack and he stopped it. Now he's certified to come to school with me and stop any panic attacks I might have." Peter shoved his medication in his pocket and his backpack in his locker.
"Wait, Bo is a service dog? That is so awesome dude!"
"I know right!"
"I can't pet him though, right?"
"No, you can't right now. I'll let you after school though, okay?"
"Okay, awesome. See you at lunch."
Ned and Peter went their separate ways towards their classes.
"Yo, Parker!" a familiar voice came from behind him and Peter frowned.
"What, Flash?" he asked exasperatedly, turning to face the bully.
"What's with the dog, Parker? Did Mr Stark get him for you because you're an incompetent little freak?"
"No, Flash, he's for a legitimate medical condition. Go away; I have to get to class."
"And you just have this medical condition just now?" Flash asked, jumping on front of him.
"No, I've had it for a while. Go away."
"Come on, Parker, tell me what's going on," Flash sneered. "What are you sick with?" Flash grabbed Peter's arm and Bo growled at him. "Yikes." Flash let go.
"Flash, leave me alone!" Peter shoved past Flash.
"Why should I? It's not like Mr Stark is here to defend you! In fact, he's probably off doing Ironman stuff and doesn't even know you exist!"
Peter froze. He felt his heart begin to race. He stumbled and fell to his knees. Bo immediately did his thing, shoving his nose in his chest and putting his paws on him. Flash stared dumbly at the scene. Peter laid back and Bo laid on his chest. Peter had read he did that because the pressure slowed his heart rate.
"Peter!" Principal Morita ran up to the boys just as Bo crawled off Peter and he sat up. "What's going on here?"
"P-panic att-tack," Peter stuttered. Bo crawled onto his lap.
"Are you okay? Do you need the nurse?" Morita asked as Flash turned to leave. "Not so fast, Mr Thompson!" Flash cringed, but stayed put.
"No, I-i'm okay. Bo h-helped me." Peter ruffled Bo's fur and took a deep breath.
"What happened?"
"Flash said something about Mr Stark, my dad," Peter whispered, wiping his eyes with his sleeves. Principal Morita knew of Peter's adoption, but Flash certainly didn't. "I-I, don't know what happened, I-I just b-broke."
"It's okay, Peter." To Flash, he said: "Mr Thompson, how many times have I told you to leave Mr Parker alone? Detention after school, you know the place. Now get to class!"
"Yes sir," Flash muttered angrily. Principal Morita offered a hand to Peter, helping him get to his feet.
"You alright?" Morita asked. Peter nodded shakily.
"So this is your service dog, eh?"
"Yeah, his name is Bo. You can pet him if you want." Peter wiped his nose on his sleeve.
"I thought I wasn't supposed to?"
"You can if I give permission."
Principal Morita patted Bo on the head. "I'll write you up a late pass, okay?"
Peter nodded. "Okay."
...
"Dude! I heard what happened with Flash. Are you okay?" Ned asked frantically at lunch as Peter collected his tray from the line. Bo walked calmly at his side.
"Yeah, Ned, I'm fine." Peter sat down with his friend. MJ soon joined them.
"Sup, losers. What's with the dog?" she asked in her normal, expressionless way.
"Oh, yeah, I haven't had a class with you yet. All the teachers have been announcing it in like every class and its super annoying. Anyway, this is Bo, he's my service dog for my panic attacks," Peter exclaimed.
"That's kinda cool, actually," MJ said around a mouthful of sandwich.
"Yeah, it is," Peter agreed. "He stopped one from getting worse earlier."
"Flash?"
"How'd you know?"
"Just a guess. That guy is such a jerk."
"Tell me about it," Peter muttered.
...
"Hey kid! How was school?" Tony asked as Peter jumped into the orange Audi.
"It was good! It's awesome having Bo with me," Peter replied, tossing his backpack on the floor.
"Any attacks today?"
"Um, well, yeah kinda. Bo stopped it though!" Peter said quickly.
"Oh, okay, that's good. Can I ask what triggered this one?" Tony asked as he pulled away from the school.
"Oh, um, I'd rather you not," Peter mumbled.
"OKay, okay. I won't press," Tony left the subject alone. "Bo behave alright?"
"Dad, he's a service dog. Of course he behaved alright!"
"Alright, alright, I'm just asking!" Tony said, mock offended. Peter rolled his eyes. "Hey, you want ice cream?"
"Always."
Tony laughed and Bo howled along.
...
Sorry for the wait; I was working on another story, plus beta-ing another, and his chapters are sooooo long (12,000 words!)
I made Service Dogs of New York up, and I don't know anything about service dogs, so please just go with this for the sake of the story, okay?