Chapter 7

A flash across Peter's eyes woke him with a start. His eyes darting around terrified, but he was met with the pitch black. Terrified at the sudden darkness, not knowing what was going on, he whimpered, hugging himself.

There was suddenly a sharp repetitive small tapping, that had Peter looking around wildly before he turned to his window. Seeing rain attacking it, followed by more flashes across the sky. He winced, snapping his eyes shut.

"Peter, I am detecting a rise in your heart rate. Are you alright? Shall I notify boss?"

"No." Peter said quickly, shaking his head; "M'fine." He insisted, but he wasn't. He felt awful. His nose was stuffed up, his throat was all clogged up he could barely breath. There was a growing pressure in his head, but hey, atleast he didn't feel sick. But he was frozen. Snuggling deeper into his dad's hoodie, he inhaled his scent, and tried to get some comfort.

There was another flash, and the pinging sound continued. As much as FRIDAY's soundproofing helped block out most sounds for Peter, it couldn't block out everything. And the worst part, was that it couldn't block out the storm raging outside.

Peter hated storms.

As a child, he'd often been awoken by them. And was too scared to go back to sleep. When it had started, he had been too afraid to move to tell May. After a few more times it happened, he had wanted to get May, but she had been working some late shifts and left him with a baby sitter. He refused to go them, and on the few occasions May had been home when there was a storm, he had been too afraid to bother her because she had to get up early for a shift. As he got older, it just became habit, and then he was too old and too embarrassed to seek comfort from his aunt.

As a child it was mostly how loud they were that scared him. The banging, the rumbling of rain, and cracks of lightning. It was pure chaos.

Now was so much worse. With his enhanced senses, it was all just too much to deal with. The violent wind, angry attacking rain, blinding flashes, and deafening bangs and rumbles. All he could do was lay in bed, too scared to move, covering his head and wait for it to be over.

Thankfully, FRIDAY was able to block out most of it.

Peter tried to calm himself down. He turned over, closing his eyes as he pulled the duvet over his head, trying to go back to sleep.

But now that he knew about the storm, he knew it was going to be impossible.

"FRI..FRIDAY..." Peter said wincing at his throat; "Can you block out the rain and flashes from the storm please?"

In response, the curtains swished shut, and the room became dark again. And the sound of the rain lessened. But Peter could still hear it.

"Is that better Peter?"

"Hmm." Peter didn't know whether that was a yes or no, because he didn't know himself. He thought it would help, but it didn't.

His heart was still racing, his body still trembling, and he still felt awful.

But mostly he just felt alone.

Maybe that was why they scared him so much, but he had always been alone when the storms hit. Having to comfort himself. He wanted his dad, but he was too scared to ask FRIDAY to get him, too embarrassed.

"What time is it FRIDAY?"

"3 am. You have been asleep for 8 hours."

Peter frowned, suddenly vaguely remembering his dad coming in to wake him up a little while ago. He had taken another pill, and had something to drink. He must have been pretty out of it though to barely remember it. But 3 am. His mom and dad must be asleep now. No way was he going to wake them now.

"May Parker came by to check on you this evening at 10:14 pm but you were asleep. She will be back in the morning." FRIDAY informed him.

Peter nodded slowly. Feeling down that he missed May coming by to see him.

He struggled to think straight, his head hurting so much. Pulling the sleeves down to cover his hands, he pushed them against his eyes, trying to stop the pain. The clothes felt scratchy against his skin, making him shiver more. Pulling the hoodie up to cover his face, he tried to breath in his dad's scent to calm him. Tried to control his breathing, to slow down his heart rate, and calm down before he had a panic attack.

But in the end, a cough escaped him which soon broke into a full blown coughing fit.

"Peter. Your vitals are becoming alarming high, I must notify Boss and Mrs Stark."

"Nooo..." Peter whined panicked sobbing now; "Please just don't. I'm fine. PLEASE FRIDAY, just don't tell them." He was terrified about waking them up and worrying them over nothing.

He waited scared but was met with silence. Taking a shallow breath he tried to calm down.

"Vitals stabilising slightly. I will remain from informing boss and Mrs Stark."

"Thank you." Peter murmured quietly, closing his eyes as the tears fell, but suddenly he wished she had told them. He wanted his dad, his parents, he wanted May. Anyone. Someone. He didn't want to be alone.

About to ask FRIDAY to get his dad, he stopped himself. Feeling suddenly scared. Scared to bother him, to wake him up, embarrassed, and still worried his dad might be mad about him being sick.

Suddenly thirsty and needing the toilet, Peter slowly pushed the duvet off, and went to sit up, swinging his legs over the edge.

His head spun, and he swayed for a moment.

Then he braced himself as he stood. Braving himself to step towards the door. Instantly stumbling back into the bed. His whole body was trembling with chills. It was bloody freezing in the house. Was the heating not working or was it just him? Probably the latter, he knew that Tony and Pepper liked to keep it warm.

"Peter you should not be out of bed. You must rest. You are unwell."

"I need the bathroom. And I'm getting a drink." Peter murmured, hoping that was enough reason for FRIDAY not to warn his parents.

As he opened the door to his room, he snapped his eyes shut at the blinding light from outside. Suddenly realising how dark it was in his room.

It took a moment for his eyes to adjust, and then he carefully stepped out into the hallway. His head sending sharp waves of pain every few seconds, as if turning on him for getting out of bed. It was hard to keep his coordination steady when he kept shaking. He made sure to stay quiet.

Suddenly, as he was passing his parent's bedroom, he felt a wave of nausea. He gagged, and rushed to the bathroom. Pleased he had now gotten up, because he made it just in time to throw up. He also went to the toilet, and washed his mouth out.

He paused to look at himself in the mirror. His skin pale, with red flushes. His eyes unfocused, he looked terrible. And he felt it too.

Leaving the bathroom, Peter headed to the kitchen. Suddenly feeling hungry as well as thirsty. Now that he'd thrown up again.

He thought these super pills or whatever were meant to help him feel better, but they seemed like a load of rubbish to him. Man, it sucked to be ill. Everything hurt, even the hairs on his skin.

He almost slipped down the stairs when there was a huge clap of thunder outside, and some rumbling startling him, and he had to grab the bannister to steady himself. Taking a moment to calm himself, he then carried on.

His dad would have a heart attack if he knew Peter nearly fell down the stairs.

Quickly, and quietly, Peter sneaked into the kitchen, shuffling around in the dark. He usually didn't mind it dark, but knowing the storm was raging outside, it scared him.

Shaking, Peter looked over his shoulder a few times. Feeling a little silly, but had the odd sensation he wasn't alone. He shakily grabbed a glass and filled it with some water, taking some long sips. He refilled it and downed the second glass.

The rain outside was getting louder, and the wind was now howling and whistling, making Peter shudder.

Freaked out, Peter hurried over to the fridge. Intending to grab a snack and head to bed.

Just as he was pulling open the fridge door, there was a huge clap of lightning, accompanied by a bright flash, and deep rumbling. It vibrated the whole floor, and house, Peter jumped, and felt the shock through his whole body. He whimpered, and his hand clenched around the door handle of the fridge.

The door was suddenly ripped from the fridge, and Peter stumbled backwards from the force. Shocked and horrified, Peter let go, and the door fell to the ground in an almighty crashing sound, that had Peter snapping his eyes closed, and covering his ears in shock. What followed was multiple smashes as a bottle of milk, and other jars fell out of the fridge crashing to the floor.

When it all finally stopped, Peter froze in horror. What had he done?!

Trembling heavily, he felt tears prick his vision.

All he had wanted was a glass of water and a snack, now he'd trashed his dad's house. If dad hadn't been angry before, now he would be furious. What if he kicked him out? Peter couldn't bear it and he burst into tears.

There was the sound of running footsteps, and the lights flipped on followed by two gasps.

"Oh my god!"

"Peter!"

0o0oo0oSPIDERMAN0o0oooo0o

Tony and Pepper hadn't gone to bed, too worried about Peter. And set about sitting on the sofa in the living room, trying to stay awake. Huddled up together, Pepper laying against Tony's side, with his arm around her, each of them had a tablet on their laps. Pepper trying to catch up on some work, as Tony was supposed to be looking over new spechs, but was looking over flu information.

"Maybe I should check on him again." Tony paused as he looked towards the stairs.

"FRIDAY is going to update us if anything changes." Pepper offered, reaching over to squeeze his leg; "He's fine. He's sleeping. It's good for him."

"He was pretty out of it earlier when I gave him some water and his pill. And his fevers up a little. What if he gets worse? His next pill is soon. Maybe I should go sit with him."

"He's just feverish, but his fever will come down Tony." She turned to lean her head against him, rubbing his cheek; "He will get better. It's just going to take time."

"I know I know..." Tony leant his head back sighing; "It's just...I don't know anything about this. I've never dealt with a sick kid. And my dad wasn't exactly doting when I was sick. Just left me to suffer. So it's not like I had a good role model. I feel like I'm failing."

"You handled his Sensory Overload perfect honey. Like a great dad."

"That's different."

"No it's not. Peter was sick and you helped. You were there for him then. And you are now. You're doing everything right. You had a doctor see him, doing everything Dr Cho said to make him better. You're offering comfort. There's nothing more you could be doing."

"Well it doesn't feel like enough." Tony huffed; "I feel useless, powerless seeing him like that and unable to help."

"You are helping. All he needs from you is to be his dad."

Tony pulled her tighter against him, and turned to kiss her. Looking at her so full of love; "You really are amazing. You know that."

"I do." Pepper grinned chuckling; "But do go on."

Smiling, Tony leant down to kiss her again, when there was a loud clap of thunder and rumbling outside making them jump. They started laughing, when suddenly there was a louder crashing sound that actually had them jumping out of their skin, and looking panicked towards the kitchen as they realised that's where it came from.

Pepper gripped Tony scared; "Tony."

"FRIDAY!" Tony said instantly worriedly, as he moved to stand up, pushing Pepper behind him, as he went to tap his chest to activate his suit. Prepared to fight any attacker.

"Peter has pulled the door off the fridge. He seems to be in distress."

FRIDAY replied simply, and Tony and Pepper froze, looking at each baffled and startled.

Then Tony raced towards the kitchen worried, Pepper hot on his tail. Peter was awake? He'd pulled the door off the fridge? What? Why? Had he been hurt?

They burst into the kitchen, FRIDAY immediately turning the lights on for them, and came to a complete stop seeing the state of the kitchen, and Peter crying.

"Oh my god!" Pepper gasped taking in the glass everywhere, and Peter crying. She was terrified how badly hurt he was.

"Peter!" Tony said panicked rushing towards him, eyes wide, fearing Peter had cut himself on the glass, or got hurt by the door.

When Peter turned to them, Tony's froze. Seeing the tears running down his face, along with fear and anguish. It made Tony's heart stop in worry and pain for his son.

"Oh buddy.."

"I'm sorry!" Peter exclaimed stepping backwards, his heart racing at seeing their shocked faces. Fearing them about to shout he jumped in; "I...I didn't mean to. It was an accident I swear! I just wanted a drink, and a snack...I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." He continued stepping backwards, getting ready to bolt.

"Peter?" Tony frowned confused as he stepped closer to him, surprised by the scared look on his face. And this rambling was more frantic than usual like he was scared. Of them?

"I'll pay for it I promise. Or I'll fix it. Whatever you chose. Please don't throw me out. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

"Peter don't be silly." Pepper insisted shaking her head startled but then froze at seeing Peter about to step into the puddle of glass; "NO STOP!" She shouted, and immediately regretted it seeing Peter flinch and shy away from her as he stepped back. Instantly hissing, and stumbling, crying in pain.

"Oh kid!" Tony rushed towards him, seeing the drops of blood forming under his feet. He'd stepped on glass! Dammit! How could Tony let this happen? He was supposed to protect his son, keep him safe.

"You're hurt!" Pepper said hysterically, and rushed to one of the cabinets to pull out the first aid kit.

"I'm sorry." Peter continued to say as he sobbed, hugging himself as Tony reached him. Tony cupped his face, and Peter tried to pull away refusing to look at him.

"Stop it. Stop apologising." Tony said softly; "I don't care about the fridge. I only care about you spider baby." His own eyes were starting to water seeing his son so upset and hurt. On instinct, he pulled Peter into a tight hug, cupping the back of his head and back. Relived when Peter clung to him, instead of pushing him away. Peter starting crying against him, and Tony just cooed as he rubbed his head, running his hand through his curls as he kissed the top of his head.

"It's ok buddy. It's ok. You're ok. Take some slow breaths. It's ok." Tony felt his throat clench. Why was Peter so scared? Was he scared of him?

He looked fearfully at Pepper as she had the first aid kit open, and was standing there looking pained at Peter. Equally worried.

"Come here spider baby." Tony said easily lifting Peter up onto the kitchen island. So they could treat his feet, and to make sure he didn't run away.

Peter looked down immediately, the hood falling to cover his face. He sniffled, still shaking terribly, his throat clogging up; "Dad...I didn't...I don't."

"Hey look at me bud." Tony said so soft it was like a whisper, gently reaching up to push the hood back, and then lift Peter's chin forcing him to look at him. His heart literally broke as he saw Peter's face. His eyes red rimmed and full of tears and sadness, his face covered in tears, pale, and shaking terribly. He looked so lost, so small, so much younger than he was. Like he was a little kid. For a moment, Tony had a glimpse of what Peter might have been like a child. He knew this moment was going to be a defining one. He needed to get this right.

Immediately, thinking of his father in this moment. If he had done something like this, his dad would have gone berserk. Yelling at him for being irresponsible, and left him to clean it up. But Tony was nothing like his dad. He didn't care one bit about the fridge, or the mess, only about Peter. And he knew it was an accident, Peter would never intentionally do something like this. And judging by how upset he was, Peter was already beating himself up enough about this as it is. That was going to stop.

"Buddy I want you to listen to me very carefully. I don't care one bit about the fridge. I only care about you. As long as you are unharmed, and ok, that's all that matters to me. You are all that matters to me." He murmured reaching up to wipe the tears from Peter's face gently; "I can buy a new fridge. I can buy ten fridges. Hell, I can buy a new house. I don't care about any object, you can do whatever you want. But I do care about you being hurt, and upset. So you are going to sit there whilst we treat your injuries, and then you're going to talk to me kid. I just want to help you. Make you better. Ok?" He paused to search Peter's eyes, seeing there was more going on than just a broken fridge; "What's going on in there bud?" He tapped Peter's forehead smiling; "I love you kid. I always will. I just want to help. Let me help. Let us help." He said nodding at Pepper, as she moved closer.

Peter felt suddenly very silly, knowing Tony was being seriously. Ashamed he looked down.

"Honey." Pepper murmured softly, reaching to take Peter's hand as he was wringing them, kissing it; "We're not mad at you. We could never be mad at you. It was clearly an accident, we didn't need to see this to know. We know you, and even if it wasn't, we still wouldn't be mad. We love you no matter what. Tony's right honey, we just want to help you. We're here for you. Ok?" She paused to catch his eyes hoping he understood what she was trying to say.

Peter nodded sniffling, moving to wipe his eyes with the sleeve. Then he lunged forward and pulled them in to hug them both. His head resting between their shoulders.

"Awww sweetie it's ok." Pepper soothed, rubbed Peter's back, as Tony ran his hands through his hair.

"We love you spider baby." Tony murmured, just taking the time to be there for Peter. No more words were said as they just hugged him. If that's what Peter needed, then that's what they were going to do. Tony would do anything for Peter, to make him happy. A hug from Peter, always made Tony feel better, hopefully he could do the same for his son. Just be there for him. Like he always would be.