Chapter 27

Peter was just washing and drying his hands when his spider senses went on alert. He stilled looking to the door just as Flash suddenly barged into the bathroom. The door slamming into the wall, the loud noise making Peter flinch.

"Well well well Penis Parker. This is a surprise."

"I'm not in the mood Flash. I have to go." Peter moved to go around him, but Flash blocked his path, closing the door behind him and locking it.

"Oh no no no. Not this time. I want answers. How in the hell did someone like you get Tony Stark to come here?"

Smirking at Flash's face, Peter jeered; "Jealous?"

Flash narrowed his eyes and snorted; "Of your pathetic life? No way. Come on Penis. Just fess up. What did you do pay him to come here? Like your fake internship?"

"Of course not!" Peter said outraged.

"Whatever dude." Rolling his eyes Flash took a dangerous step towards Peter, and Peter stepped back. His spider senses were going haywire, which did nothing to help his oncoming Sensory Overload. He didn't trust Flash right now.

"Everyone sees what's going on here. Your aunt is dating Happy Hogan. It's so obvious that Tony Stark is only here because of that. Because he feels sorry for you."

"That's a lie! You don't know what you're talking about?"

Flash looked at Peter tilting his head; "Aww poor little Penis Parker. Do you think he actually cares for a pathetic kid like you? You're an orphan! And some dumb street kid. You had to get a scholarship to even get in here. You're such a fraud! Even your aunt only looks out for you because she has to. I bet she'd rather just toss you out to some foster home so she can get her life back! Hell, now she has Happy Hogan I bet it wont be long before they throw your stupid ass out!"

"I'm not listening to this!" Peter snapped, his heart racing, his hands shaking. He had to clench his fists to stop from punching Flash as she rushed to go past him.

Flash lunged out to grab him, and Peter dodged, and then thought better of it. Not wanting to expose himself. So when Flash shoved him, Peter let him. Even if it hurt inside.

"You will listen to me! So what is it? Did you pay him or does he pity you?"

"You better shut the hell up Flash!" Peter's whole body was shaking with rage now. It took everything in him not to punch Flash right now.

"Or what Penis Parker?" Flash took a step forward grinning, and taunting him.

Finally, Peter looked away and unclenched his fists. The tears starting to form in his eyes.

Flash just scoffed stepping back; "Aw you going to cry now? You're such a baby. Just wait until Mr Stark sees you for the pathetic baby you are. Then he'll want nothing to do with you and the world will finally see you for the fraud you are!" He cackled as he unlocked the door and strode out.

As soon as Flash left the tears fell. Peter slid down to the floor and hugged his knees. The worst part was how deep down Peter feared Flash may be right. It had always been his worry, that May didn't secretly want to take care of him. And she was only doing it because she had to. The same was with his dad. They insisted they really cared for him, but in the back of his mind he just couldn't dispel the small doubts nagging at him that he really was pathetic, and a fraud. He was just a poor orphan, as much as he tried to pretend that wasn't true, maybe it was time to face the truth.

"Are you alright Peter?" FRIDAY's soft voice rang out startling Peter.

He closed his eyes.

"I'm fine FRIDAY."

"Your vitals say otherwise. You really must tell your parents what Flash said to you. It is not right."

"Can we...just not do this right now FRIDAY? Please." He gulped feeling a lump forming in his throat and more tears falling.

"Ok Peter. Just know I'm here for you."

Taking a moment to gather his thoughts and squash his emotions. He furiously wiped his eyes and pushed himself up, knowing that his parents and May would be getting worried about him for being gone so long. Heading over to the sink, he shakily splashed some water on his face. Hoping it would hide the fact he had been crying.

Then he took a shaky breath and headed out. Praying Flash wasn't laying in wait.

He ducked his head as he was leaving, moving fast.

"Hey honey there you are. Where are you going?" Pepper chuckled stopping Peter as he barrelled into her. Relieved to find him. But stopped as he looked up startled and saw his face. His red rimmed eyes, and shaking body.

"Mom?" Peter stilled panicking, looking around pleased to see the hallway was empty aside from them.

"Honey what happened?" Pepper grabbed his chin to inspect his face closer and ran her eyes over his body for injuries.

"Nothing I'm fine." Peter insisted forcing a smile.

"You've been crying. You're shaking." Pepper counted cupping his cheek; "What happened sweetie? I...saw that kid from earlier come out the bathroom before you did. Did he say something to you? Did he hurt you?"

"No..." Peter shook his head closing his eyes; "No he didn't do anything!" He babbled, this was going downhill fast. The last thing he needed was his mom to find out what Flash said. She would tell dad, and then May and Happy. It would be humiliating if they found out.

Pepper narrowed her eyes not believing him for a second. Then she softened.

"Peter. I know something happened. Whatever it is you can tell me. I know you're upset and that makes me upset. Please tell me. I want to help."

Peter was startled to see some tears forming in Peppers eyes. She really did care, maybe...maybe she would understand. And he really wished he could talk to someone about this.

"Um...welll...Flash..."

"Flash? That's the name of that kid?" Pepper scrunched her face up. Weird name.

Nodding he continued wiping his face; "He...he said..."

"There's my two favourite people!"

Tony's voice boomed around them, and Peter instantly stepped back from his mom smiling as he neared them.

Pepper closed her eyes cursing Tony's timing. Peter was that close to opening up.

"Everything ok?" Tony asked immediately sensing the tension.

"Yep fine. Can we go home now?"

"Sure bud. Happy's pulling the car around now."

"Great." Peter avoided his mom's gaze and turned to speed walk away.

"What's that about?" Tony raised an eyebrow at Pepper.

Sighing she looked at him shaking her head; "You really have terrible timing. He was that close to talking to me." She said following after Peter.

"Oh sorry." Tony grimaced falling into step with her; "Did something happen? Is he ok?" His voice rose with worry as he finished looking at Peter concerned.

"I don't know. I think something did happen..."

Peter shoved open the doors to outside, and was met with numerous bright flashing lights and yells.

He froze letting out a startled shout as he stumbled back covering his face.

"Peter!" Tony rushed forward and grabbed him, tugging him into a hug, relived when Peter clung to him, as he looked wide eyed at the swarm of Paparazzi and press outside taking their pictures.

"MR STARK! MR STARK! Who is this boy?"

"Is he your secret love child?"

"Is he your adopted son?"

"Why are you here?"

For Peter everything was just too loud and too bright, too many voices, the flashes piercing his skull. The only thing grounding his was his dad.

"Tony!" Pepper's frantic cries as she grabbed his arm and shoved him back inside. In other circumstance she might have stayed and talked to the press to back them off, but Peter was clearly in distress and she could handle them later.

However, just as they turned to go inside some parents and press were rushing at them. Damn they must have got in another way.

"Dammit!" Tony growled looked around frantically, gripping onto Peter in a vice grip, afraid to lose him. He could feel the kid trembling and shaking. In one move he pulled out the glasses and headphones and shoved them onto Peter's face. How could this happen? Someone had to have told the press he was here. Where the hell was Happy?

Putting another arm around Pepper, Tony's jaw hardened and he made a quick move back outside. Shoving through the crowd.

"We'll release a statement tomorrow." Pepper tried to appease the press; "Please just let us through."

More questions. More flashes. Peter's body was starting to shut down. He could feel his legs turning into jelly, causing his dad hold on him to slip.

A reporter grabbed Peter to look at his face, and it forced Tony to let go of him.

"No!" Peter whimpered lashing out for his dad, but came on nothing but air.

"Peter!" Tony whipped around the moment he felt Peter disappear. His eyes frantic with panic. But the press closed in like vultures and Tony couldn't see him.

"Pepper!"

"I don't see him!"

"God can't you all just back off!" Tony growled glaring at them all; "PETER!"

Peter looked around hysterically; "MR STARK!" He very nearly called out dad, but only just managed to stop himself. The press were right in his face snapping pictures and yelling at him. More hands grabbing at him.

He covered his head and tried to get away but had no where to go. It was like he was right back in the maze. Trapped. Powerless.

His senses were all starting to get worse. A Sensory Overload was now rearing its head.

"No no nooo!"

Suddenly someone grabbed him and he started shouting and trying to wriggle free.

"It's me Pete! I got you!" Happy's arms wrapped around Peter protectively, and Peter fell into his embrace with relief, clinging to him; "Hang on kid." Then Happy was shoving through the crowd. Peter ambled along with him, no idea what was going on or where they were going.

Soon the voices faded a little, and then Peter heard a familiar voice.

"Peter thank god!"

May's arms replaced Happy's as she pulled into a tight hug, kissing him all over; "I thought I lost you then. Are you ok? Are you hurt?" She rambled cupping his face and checking him over. It was then as Peter looked around he realised they were at the back entrance of the school and there were no press. Where did they go?

"I'm ok." Peter mumbled a little shakily taking his glasses and earbuds off; "Where's mom and dad?"

"They're leading the press away." Happy reassured him keeping his arms around both of them as he ushered them to the car to get in; "We'll meet them at the side entrance."

As Peter climbed in the car, he hugged May desperately as he trembled. He had been so scared when he lost his dad in the crowd. So alone. He didn't think anyone would find him.

"I got you honey. You're safe now." May reassured Peter soothing his head.

Happy sped off and round the block, coming to a skidding stop right before Tony and Pepper jumped in the car. As soon as the door was shut Happy raced off and disappeared into traffic.

"Damn vultures!" Tony snapped glaring out the window; "How the hell did they know?"

"I don't know but I'm going to find out." Pepper huffed straightening her hair.

Tony instantly turned to Peter, and softened at how scared and lost Peter looked in May's arms.

"Oh spider baby come here." May thankfully let Tony pull Peter into a hug.

Peter buried his head in Tony's chest, breathing in his familiar scent and warmth and calming instantly.

"I got you bud. I'm so so sorry I lost you in that crowd. I tried to hang on to you. I'm really sorry. I'm so glad you're safe though." Tony's voice shook as he hugged Peter. When he lost him, his heart literally stopped. Horrible scenarios of Peter getting trampled or kidnapped racing through his mind.

"I want to go home." Peter whimpered into his dad's chest.

"I know bud. Happy's taking us home now. We'll go home and watch a movie. Just us."

"No." Peter lifted his head and looked away; "I want to go home with May."

Silence filled the car, and if Peter had looked at his dad's face he would have seen the hurt and anguish on his face.

Still struggling with his Sensory Overload, Peter just turned away and clung onto May.

May looked at Tony over Peter's head with startled and apologetic eyes. Pepper turned in her seat and met Tony's eyes, her own watering in sympathy.

Tony looked at Peter in shock. The kid didn't want him? What did he do? God he had royally screwed up. Having Peter actually pull away from him. That hurt more than any physical pain he had ever felt.

"Ok bud..." Tony murmured shakily; "Whatever you want."

Peter felt bad. He really did. He wanted nothing more than to go home with his parents. But after what Flash said and then the reporters. It was just a reminder that he wasn't a real Stark. It wasn't that he wanted to be apart from his parents, it was that he thought maybe it would be better for them to get some distance from him. With the press swarming, he didn't want to hurt his parents image being seen with him. He didn't ever want to cause them trouble or hurt them.