Chapter 28

Peter was silent the rest of the drive home, just cuddled up to May, worrying all the four adults in the car. Tony the most. All he wanted was to comfort his son, but feared getting rejected again. This was his fault. Peter was mad at him because of the press. May had been right. Peter shouldn't have to deal with the press, this wasn't his life. If the press knew the truth it would be like that every day for Peter. It wasn't fair. It wasn't right. Tony had to protect him.

When they got to the house, thankfully there was no press. They must not have their address thank god. Peter mumbled a goodbye to his parents but didn't hug them. Going quickly inside. Tony watched him go with a pained expression. The kid was really mad.

"I'll make sure he's ok." Happy murmured nodding and followed after Peter, as he sensed May and Tony and Pepper needed to talk.

"Tony...I'm sorry." May breathed shaking her head, and reached a hand out to his arm; "He's not mad or upset with you, I know him. It's just a bit overwhelming for him. The press. He's never had to deal with any of this before." She grimaced; "Plus he's having another episode so...just give him some time. I'm sure tomorrow morning he'll be a lot better and dying to see you." At Tony's dubious look she added; "He really loves you Tony."

Tony nodded sighing, relieved when Pepper took his hand, and he leant into her for support.

"You were right. Peter shouldn't have this life. The press. I don't want him to get hurt."

"He'll be ok." May insisted, saying goodbye to them before going into the house.

Tony stood there for a moment, every inch of him wanting to go into the house to see Peter. Pepper had to tug him into the car. As if sensing his mood, she remained silent, and left a hand on his knee for support on the ride home.

Tony glanced at her at a red light, and it was then he realised she was struggling with not having Peter around just like him. He took her hand and interlocked their fingers, kissing the back of her hand. She smiled, and it made him feel better. They would be ok. He would make sure of it.

0o0o0ooSPIDERMAN0o0o0o0o

Peter didn't bother changing, just slipped his shoes off and climbed into bed. Pulling the duvet over his head and let the tears fall. He should have known their little bubble would pop eventually and come crashing down. He had hoped it would have lasted longer but...everything came to an end eventually. Realistically how long could he be kept a secret? He could just see the future. Flash was right. Soon his dad would start phasing out seeing him until he barely saw him, and never at all. It would hurt less if Peter saved them the trouble and cut himself out first. Or so he thought. Because this hurt more than anything in the world.

"Pete? You ok?" Happy's voice echoed from nearby and the bed dipped. He tried to pull the duvet down, but Peter held onto it. Not wanting Happy to see him crying.

"M'fine." Peter mumbled turning to press his face to the pillow; "Want to be left alone."

Happy sighed hesitating; "Are you sure I can't get you anything?"

Peter kept silent.

"Alright Peter." Happy set his hand on Peter's shoulder over the duvet and squeezed; "I'm sorry about what happened. It shouldn't have at all. We're just worried about you. Especially your dad."

That just made the tears fall harder.

Peter couldn't trust himself to speak.

"Try to get some rest Pete. You'll feel better later."

Eventually Peter heard Happy leaving and sighed in relief. He curled into a ball and closed his eyes. Wishing the ground would swallow him up.

He must have dozed off for a moment because the next thing he knew. May was sitting beside him, running her hands through his hair. And a plate was in her other hand with some food. She set it on the bedside table.

He shifted to look at her, and she paused looking at him sadly.

"How are you feeling honey?"

"M'dunno." Peter murmured, because he was feeling too much he wasn't able to describe it.

"Your senses still wonky?" She asked her brow knitting.

Peter just shrugged and turned his head into the pillow again wincing. Everything was just too much.

"Do you want your dad? I can call him? He can help."

"...No." Peter mumbled and instantly regretted it. Because he did. He badly wanted his dad.

May stilled with her hands in his hair and frowned worriedly.

"Honey. I know the press can be daunting. You dad's just worried about you. And your mom. Are you sure you don't want to call them? It might make you feel better."

Shaking his head, Peter turned away from her. He knew if he spoke to them he might end up confessing everything he was feeling. And he couldn't do that.

"Ok honey. I've left a plate of food for you in case you get hungry. Try to get some sleep. We'll speak in the morning." May kissed him before leaving. Peter wanted to call her back but stopped himself. He closed his eyes and cried himself to sleep.

0o0o0o0o0oSPIDERMAN0o0oo0o

Pepper sat on the sofa with a cup of cocoa in her hands, listening to the smashing and crashing from the lab downstairs as she was keeping an eye on the news sites. Tony was beyond furious when he first saw them as they got home.

The newspapers hadn't posted anything yet, but the tabloids had posted many theories. Secret love child. Adopted orphan. Charity case. The most outrageous was a secret Shield operative child. But it had really gotten to Tony the stuff they had said about Peter. He had simply gone into his lab declaring he was going to smash stuff. She left him to it. She wanted to as well in fact, but used her energy into working out a plan to get the press to back off Peter. A statement was drafted already asserting Peter was an intern Tony had started mentoring, hopefully that would be enough to get them to see there was no story here. But she had to be prepared for some fallout. Happy had set up some extra security personnel around their houses in case some press got too friendly.

When the crashing finally stopped, Pepper stilled.

"FRIDAY? Has Tony finished now?"

"Yes it appears he is not longer smashing things and is now sitting on the floor of the lab. He appears to be having a mini panic attack."

Pepper quickly set her pad down and rushed down to the lab. As she entered Tony has his knees up hands on his head. The lab was a mess. Tools all over the floor.

Sighing, she simply padded over to him and silently sat down beside him. She slid her arm through his and took his hand in hers. He dropped his hands from his face revealing a very tired and pained expression. He leant his head on her shoulder.

"Pep I really messed up."

"It's not your fault Tony. The press were bound to find out about Peter eventually. It's just a shame it happened tonight. You did everything you could to protect him."

"I lost him in the crowd. The press were hounding him, right during a Sensory Overload episode. He must have been so scared. Thought I abandoned him. That had to be why he doesn't want to see me."

"I don't believe that. And I'm sure you don't either. Peter's not used to the press. I'm sure he's just a little overwhelmed and wanted to be somewhere more familiar."

"Maybe...the press won't give up so easily."

"Maybe. Maybe not. We've got our statement ready. It should be enough to get them to back off."

"I hope so. I can't lose him Pep. I've only just got him back."

"I know." Pepper soothed wrapping an arm around him as she kissed his forehead.

They sat like that for a little while. Then Pepper managed to convince him to come up to the living room. They put on Star Wars in the background, thinking of Peter.

Then Tony asked out of the blue; "What was that thing with Peter about earlier at the school? " He shifted to face her, watching as her face darkened. Sitting up instantly.

"I'm not exactly sure." Pepper started; "I noticed that kid from earlier follow him into the bathroom. When I got there Peter came out clearly having been crying and was shaking. He seemed really upset."

Tony stiffened feeling rage building; "You think that kid...?"

"I don't know." Pepper shook her head; "He appeared unharmed but I didn't like the vibe I got off that kid. And Peter was very cagey about what happened. He seemed just about to tell me when you arrived."

Tony groaned dropping his head into his hands; "Jeez I can't seem to do anything right."

Pepper just took his hand smiling; "You didn't do anything wrong honey. I'm just telling you what happened. But the point is I think something did happen with this kid but Peter doesn't want to tell us."

That's when Tony suddenly caught on; "You think this kid has been messing with Peter? Bullying him?" His eyes widened at the thought. Hysteric worry and rage setting in and someone picking on his son.

"God I hope not. But you met his parents." She rolled her eyes smirking and Tony chuckled.

"Yeah true. Wouldn't surprise me if the kid was just like them." Tony trailed off; "Why wouldn't he tell me though? Us? That's something we need to know. I mean bullying is very serious. And we talked about not keeping secrets anymore."

"You know Peter." Pepper blew out a breath; "He's very self sufficient. Prefers to deal with stuff himself."

"Yeah that's the problem. He never tells me anything. Every time I think we're getting somewhere in our relationship, I find out he's keeping something else from me. I don't know what else to do."

"Maybe we're overreacting." Pepper concluded; "Maybe nothing is actually going on at all. Because you're right. Peter would tell us if he was being bullied. Wouldn't he? May would know wouldn't she?"

Tony realised Pepper was beginning to sound like him. The worrying. He wanted to believe her theory, because otherwise it would mean accepting that Peter might be getting bullied, and refusing to tell them.

"I'll talk to him in the morning." Tony concluded, because they needed to clear the air. And he was going to get an answer on this one way or another.

"Come on let's go to bed." Pepper stood up and offered him a hand, which he took and followed her up. He didn't feel like sleeping, but knew not to argue with Pepper.

0o0oo0o0SPIDERMAN0o0o0o0o

Flashes went off all around him, making Tony flinch.

Soon the press were swarming all around him, grabbing at him and shouting.

"Mr Stark! What's your relationship to this boy?"

"How does it feel to be a failure as a father?"

"What?" Tony demanded spinning around.

"DAD! Help!" Peter's voice called to him, but every time Tony shoved through the crowd to get to him, he was nowhere to be seen.

"Peter!"

"What would your father Howard Stark have to say?"

"Is it true you've ruined Peter Parker's life?"

"Dammit Peter? Where are you?!"

"Dad!"

Finally Tony shoved through the crowd and spotted Peter hugging himself and covering his head.

"Kid thank god." Tony rushed forward and pulled him into a hug. But Peter didn't hug him back, and then pushed him away..

Tony pulled back startled; "Bud...?" But he trailed off seeing the emptiness in Peter's eyes.

"You weren't there dad. Weren't there when I needed you."

"What no Peter I'm right here." Tony reached for him but Peter backed away.

"You said you'd keep me safe and you didn't. You ruined my life! I don't ever want to see you again."

"No Peter!"

But Peter just backed away into the crowd and disappeared.

"Peter! Kid! Wait!" Tony rushed after him, but the press closed in and he felt his heart breaking.

"PETER!"

"Peter!" Tony gasped bolting upright in bed, gasping for air. He looked around frantically before realising he was in bedroom at his house, with Pepper.

"Tony?" Pepper murmured sluggishly as she woke up, and sat up instantly reaching to touch his arm; "Are you ok?"

Tony just covered his face trying to get his breathing under control.

"Another bad dream?" Pepper murmured putting an arm around him, worried he was on the verge of a panic attack; "Peter?"

Tony nodded leaning into her embrace.

"Oh honey I'm sorry. Peter's ok. He's safe. He's with May."

"No it wasn't like that." Tony breathed gripping her arm tightly; "Peter...he said I ruined his life. He didn't want to see me anymore."

Pepper's eyes widened cupping Tony's face to force him to look at her; "It was just a bad dream Tony. Peter would never feel that way. He loves you."

"I know. But...it felt so real. And what if he does eventually feel that way? If the press don't leave him alone, I will have ruined his life."

"Tony. I know we're worried about Peter and the press. But he's a stronger kid than we give him credit for. He'll be ok no matter what happens. And we'll be here for him. To help him. It will be ok Tony."

"God I hope you're right Pep."

"When have you known me to be wrong?" Pepper quipped and it made Tony smile because she had a point.

He just wanted Peter to be happy, and have the best life he could have. And sometimes Tony couldn't help but wonder if Peter's life would be better off without him in it.

As if reading his mind, Pepper turned his head and kissed him; "We're a family Tony. Nothings going to come between that. Nothing."