Tony finished bandaging Peter's arms, lightly patting his work. They were still on the floor, not having moved since Tony found Peter in his room.

Tony scooted so that he sat across from the kid, whose back was pressed against his bed frame while Tony's was now pressed against the wall. He brought his knees up and relaxed his elbows on them.

With a sigh, he knew it was time to talk about the elephant in the room.

"When did this start, Peter?"

"A little bit after you kept me from being Spider-Man," Peter answered quietly.

"Why?"

Why did he do it? Even Peter wasn't so sure. It was such a simple question, one word in fact, and yet he still wasn't sure he himself knew the answer. He stayed quiet, thinking about it, and Tony patiently waited until he could find the right words.

"I just... It distracted me," he finally decided on saying.

"From what?"

"Everything," Peter breathed, "There was so much going on. So many thoughts running through my head... but— when I cut, it... it made me feel something. It took my mind off the— the pain. I know it doesn't make sense, but it did help me."

"I understand you thought it was right. I'm sure it felt right, kid, but... there's so many more ways— better ways to cope than this. You shouldn't have to have such destructive habits like this to take your mind off that," Tony said gently.

Peter lowered his hands. His body position reflected Tony's, except he wasn't relaxed like him. He was tense, and slightly trembling.

Peter closed his eyes, holding his breath as he asked, "then what do I do? How can I... how can I get past this?"

It was Tony's turn to think. He knew, of course, there were better ways of handing this, but his mind blanked.

"Therapy could be a start?" Tony said, making Peter once again look down in shame.

"Look, Pete, it's nothing to be ashamed of. You're not being weak if you ask for help. Trust me, I thought that too at one point, but it took some people that care about me to show me the truth. Let me do the same for you."

Peter hesitated, but slowly nodded. Maybe it would work? And besides, Tony wasn't going to force him to do it, so if after a couple weeks he didn't like it, Tony would help him figure something else out.

"You're not gonna tell the others— about this, right?" Peter asked suddenly, fear showing in his eyes as he looked back up.

"No, of course not. It's not my story to tell," Tony replied.

"And... Spider-Man?"

Tony sighed, "I'm never gonna like you going out, kid. But you were right— Spider-Man is part of who you are. I was wrong to take that away from you. Do you think you could forgive me?"

Peter laughed, "I know all about making mistakes... It's okay."

Tony sighed internally, relieved to be on good terms with Peter again and hopeful that things were gonna turn around.

"Tony?"

"Yeah, kid?"

"Do you think— I mean, do you believe that people are looking down on us, after they pass?"

Tony locked eyes with the teenager, "I do, Peter. I'm sure your aunt's watching over you."

"But... do you think she's... disappointed with me?" Peter asked so quietly, it was a good thing Tony was completely focused on it or he would've missed it.

"Do you know why people get disappointed, Pete?"

"Because... they get let down?"

"Because they care about you. Your aunt may be disappointed, but she still loves you just as much as before. No matter how frustrated she might've been with you, I know if I would've asked her at any point in time if she was proud of you she would've said yes in a heartbeat.

"Even now. Trust me. Your Aunt May only ever got disappointed because she knew you were capable of so much more. Don't you think for a second she cares for you any less after what you've done," Tony said firmly.

"Thanks, Tony," Peter said, wiping the tear that fell off his eye.

"I wish your aunt would give me some advice. She probably knew you best, so she would've had a better approach to this than me."

A small smirk started forming on Peter's face, "Don't worry, you're doing a good job."

Tony gave his thanks with a smile.

"Now," Tony said, pushing himself up, "when's the last time you ate?"

"I don't know, since the concert?" Peter almost asked as if Tony knew the answer.

"That," Tony said checking his watch, "was almost six hours ago."

Extending his hand out for Peter to grab, Tony pulled Peter up to stand as well.

"How about we have some 1 AM breakfast?"

"It's 1 AM?!" Peter gaped.

"Yeah, didn't check the time on your walk back?"

Peter shrugged, "Guess not. What about the rest of the team, though?"

"Oh don't worry about them," Tony said, waving his hand at Peter, "I told them we needed some time to ourselves."

Peter immediately stiffened, "You— didn't tell them why... right?"

"Of course I didn't tell them," Tony replied.

Peter immediately relaxed, letting out a soft sigh.

"So, what are we having for breakfast?" He asked.

"Whatever you want."

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Hey, look, a fast update. Hoping to finish this off with 1 more chapter :)

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