Chapter 32
Peter landed on the school roof, and hesitated as he went to peer in the windows. It was the middle of third period. He couldn't show up in the middle of class. Too awkward. He had to wait until lunch. It wasn't that long anyway.
Finally the lunch bell went off, and he climbed his way down and entered the school, pulling his hood up to mix into the crowd.
He finally found Ned at his locker, tapping him on the shoulder.
Ned whipped around startled and his eyes widened; "Peter! Oh thank god!" He hugged Peter surprising him, and pulled back to look at him; "Where have you been? Everyone's worried sick looking for you. They think you ran away. You didn't do you?"
"What? No!" Peter replied shaking his head and dragging Ned away from the crowds of people; "I just...I needed some air. Some time to think. I was just going to ask if I can borrow your phone to let them know I'm ok."
"Oh sure sure." Ned frantically pulled it out and handed it to him.
Quickly, Peter fired off a text to his dad before handing it back to Ned.
"Thanks."
"Sure...so um...are you finally going to tell me what's going on with you?" Ned asked as they walked towards the cafeteria; "Don't lie. I know you've been hiding something. Then Mr Stark confronts me saying you had a fight with your aunt over some bad grade. What is going on?"
"I don't know man." Peter shook his head; "Everything. Nothing. It's just...there's a lot I'm dealing with right now. Stuff you won't understand. I'm sorry. I just...I need to figure some stuff out myself." Peter murmured as they walked up the stairs.
"Oh ok." Ned said a little disappointed; "Well I'm still your friend and your guy in the chair right?"
Peter smiled genuinely; "Yes Ned."
"Good great. Because I want you to know I'm here for you man. If you need anything. To talk. A place to crash. Whatever."
Peter clapped him on the shoulder; "Thanks. I really appreciate that man. I'll let you know when I figure everything out."
"Well well well look who it is." Flash's voice made Peter and Ned turn, and they came face to face with Flash as he was descending the stairs. Meeting together on the midway landing of the stairs.
"Flash. Not today. I'm not in the mood." Peter grumbled shoving past him.
But his senses must still be a little wonky, because he didn't sense it coming when Flash suddenly grabbing him and shoved him against the wall. Hard. Making Peter wince as pain shot up his back.
"Hey! Leave him alone!" Ned said rushing forward but a couple of other kids blocked Ned's way and shoved him, so he tripped and fell down on his back.
"Ned!" Peter yelled and turned to glare at Flash; "Leave him alone!"
"Oh he's not the one I want Penis Parker!" By now a crowd was starting to form at the top and bottom of the stairs. Peter wondered where the teachers were right now, probably enjoying lunch where Peter should be. Damn he regretted coming to school now.
"You think you're so cool you can just show up for school whenever you want? That just because you know Tony Stark you can do whatever you want?!" Flash said moving close to Peter glaring.
By now Ned had stood up and was trying to get to him to help when Flash's two friends blocked his path.
As much as Peter wanted to hit Flash, he eyed everyone watching him, and remembered to restrain himself. It was too risky.
"Look Flash I don't want any trouble."
"I don't care what you want. Stupid Penis Parker! We all saw the news, how you cried like a little baby when the press confronted you. Because you know you're such a fraud. And you had them release a statement lying about your internship!"
"It's not a lie!" Peter growled; "I do have an internship."
"Oh come on." Flash rolled his eyes; "Do you honestly think anyone believes that you of all people got a Stark Internship over anyone else? They just pity you so they lied for you. They don't care about you!"
"Shut up Flash!"
"Or maybe he does he care about you," Flash shrugged smirking; "Makes him just a pathetic as you, if he does."
"Don't talk about Mr Stark like that!"
"Or what? You going to cry again?"
"He's just as stupid as you are. He's so full of himself. My dad says he's not a hero he's just some playboy billionaire doing whatever the hell he wants. Iron Man sucks and so do you!"
Peter lost it that time and shoved Flash. Making him stumble backward.
"OOOO!" The crowd jeered, enjoying what they were seeing.
"You shut up about Mr Stark!" Peter warned; "Stay the hell away from me!" Then he moved to leave quickly with Ned, trying to shove the two off him.
"You're going to pay for that Penis Parker!" Flash growled, and before Peter could react, Flash grabbed him roughly and yanked him back. Punching him right in the face.
Peter saw stars and crumpled to the ground.
"Peter!" Ned lunged after Peter, but the two boys held him back again. How could not one else be helping them?
Peter grabbed his face grimacing at the throbbing pain, and then saw his nose was now bleeding.
"Aw you damn baby, got your boyfriend looking out for you now!" Flash jeered as he grabbed Peter to pull him up. Peter glared at him.
Peter shoved Flash off him again.
"Fight! Fight! Fight!" The crowd were suddenly cheering.
"Peter don't! He's not worth it!" Ned warned fearfully now.
Flash just grinned taunting; "You going to listen to your boyfriend Penis? Doesn't surprise me, knew you were a wimp. Just like Mr Stark!"
Peter punched Flash then, knocking him to the ground with a yelp. Then he sat up wiping blood from his mouth. Instantly Peter felt awful, looking down at his hand in shock. He shouldn't have done that, god he could have seriously hurt Flash.
Instead Flash just looked up at Peter with a dark look that had him stepping back.
"You're going to pay for that!"
Then Flash charged at him and tackled him into the wall. They struggled. Peter had to really restrain himself from shoving Flash or hitting him again, terrified he might hurt him. Unfortunately, that meant Flash could punch Peter in the face and in the gut all he wanted.
"Stop it! Leave him alone!" Ned cried, finally managing to wriggle free from the boys holding him and he charged at Flash pushing him away from Peter. Ned dropped down beside Peter as he slipped to the ground coughing and gasping for air.
"Peter are you ok?"
Before Peter could reply, Flash tackled Ned to the ground laying into him.
"No!" Peter cried, grabbing his torso as he pushed himself up and lunged at Flash. The two guys reached for Peter but he managed to dodge out the way clawing at Flash to get him off Ned. Flash just let go of Ned and whipped around and shoved Peter hard.
Unfortunately, Peter was standing right near the edge of the stairs. So when he was shoved, he immediately fell backwards and found himself falling.
"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE!" Peter heard a teacher shout right as he fell backwards, hit head hitting the stairs, followed by his body. He rolled a few times, causing sharp pains all over. He was sure he blacked out for a moment.
The next thing he knew, he woke up feeling pain all over, struggling to breath, his head about to explode, and ringing in his ears.
"PETER!" Ned cried sitting up horrified to see Peter fall and raced down to him.
Flash just stood there with his mouth open apparently just as shocked.
"Flash Thompson!" A teacher shouted rushing over to him; "Stay right there!"
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to...!" Flash cried; "It was an accident I swear. He just fell!" Ned dropped down beside Peter, hands hovering over him, terrified in case he was seriously hurt; "Peter? Peter are you ok?"
Peter just found his head exploding with his senses going in to overdrive. Everything was too loud, too bright, he felt like he was about to crawl out of his skin. He curled in on himself shaking and moaning. Gasping for air.
Teachers were soon swarming all over, kids ran, some were taking photos and videos of the whole thing. A couple ran over to Ned and Peter as some others were trying to push the crowds back.
"Oh my god! Call an ambulance!" Someone shouted.
Right. Ned should probably be doing that. No he should call Mr Stark. Just as Ned was fumbling with his phone a voice made him stop.
"MOVE THE FUCK OUT OF MY WAY! LET ME THROUGH!" Suddenly Tony was barrelling his way through the crowd, Happy right behind him.
Finally, Tony got through and took one look at Peter and froze; "PETER?!"
0o0o0oSPIDERMAN00o0ooo0o
Tony was flying over the city when FRIDAY alerted him to the text.
"Boss I am receiving a text from an unknown number but it is from Peter."
"Peter?!" Tony stopped; "Read it to me!"
"Hey dad. So I know you're all probably freaked out and really mad at me. I don't know how to say how sorry I am for everything. Including what I said to May, and for running from you like that. I just needed some time to think. But I'm ok. I'm safe. I'm at school. We can talk after? Ok? I love you."
Tony just blinked for a moment totally shocked. So Peter hadn't run away? He was at school. He was ok. But Tony still felt something was off. Why would Peter run from him? And then not call him but text him?
"FRIDAY. Is Peter really at school?"
"Camera footage from the area reports him heading into school. Yes boss."
Tony blew out a relieved breath. Peter hadn't run away. Thank god.
"Ok send a message to Pepper, May and Happy. Let them know he's ok. I'm going to school." They needed to talk. Now.
0o0o0o0SPIDERMAN0o0o0o0
But when Tony met Happy at the school and rushed inside, he was not expecting to see a crowd of students and teachers around Peter. Who lay on the ground hurt and bleeding. Wait bleeding!"
"PETER!" Tony rushed over and knelt down beside Peter, reaching out to touch him, but hesitant fearing how hurt Peter was, his eyes taking in all Peter's injuries. He was curled into a ball covering his torso. His face was covered in bruises, his right eye already showing a black eye forming, blood coming from his nose and lip. A large gash was on his forehead, blood pouring out creating a small puddle on the ground by his head. The sight of the blood, Peter's blood made Tony feel sick. He could feel a panic attack forming. This was his fault.
"Mr Stark!" Ned said relieved and surprised; "There was a fight! It was Flash. He attacked Peter, and then shoved him down the stairs."
"HEY THIS ISN'T A SIDESHOW! MOVE IT ALONG!" Happy shouted waving at the students and teachers, and thankfully the teachers got the message and starts clearing everyone away.
Soon it was just Tony, Happy, Ned, Peter and a couple of teachers.
"We've called an ambulance." One said.
Tony just narrowed his eyes as he looked at them, how could they let this happen? Teachers were supposed to stop stuff like this happening.
"Thanks but I have a world class doctor on staff. I'll handle this."
"Mr Stark we can't just..."
"I'm his guardian!" Tony barked; "I'll do whatever the hell I want. Now get out!"
The teachers wavered unsure what to do.
Happy thankfully took over, ushering them out; "Go wait for the ambulance yeah?"
When they were alone finally, Tony bent down gulping and shaking shoved the wristband back on Peter's wrist; "FRIDAY." He choked; "How is he?"
"I am reading a break in Peter's right arm, a concussion, severe bruising of his ribs, and some other minor scrapes on his legs. He needs immediately medical attention."
"Is it safe to move him?"
"If you are careful. Yes."
"Ok good good. Thank you Ned." Tony nodded at him, knowing he was a good friend to Peter. He was just about to activate his suit to take Peter when Peter spoke.
"Dad..." Peter suddenly moaned, looking at Tony sluggishly through slit eyes. He felt tears in his eyes so relieved to have his dad here. His dad would make everything better.
"I'm here spider baby. I'm here." Tony murmured softly reaching to comb gently through Peter's hair with a trembling hand. He forced a reassuring smile; "I'm here. It's going to be ok."
"M'sorry. So sorry." Peter sobbed; "Screwed up.."
"No Peter..."
"Shouldn't have run..." If Peter had stayed and talked to his dad, maybe this wouldn't have happened. He could have been at home curled up with his dad now watching a movie or something.
"It doesn't matter now buddy. You're going to be ok. I'm going to get you some help ok. I'm right here."
Peter nodded slowly and felt his eyes closing. Now his dad was there, he could finally rest. He would make everything better; "M'sorry..."
"Peter? Bud?" Tony frowned at Peter passed out; "Dammit!" Immediately he tapped his arc reactor to activate his suit, and picked Peter up as gently as he could. Then he rushed to the Tower.
Happy dealt with the school about Tony taking Peter and then hurried to meet him, informing May and Pepper on the way.
The whole way to the Tower, Tony just looked down at Peter. Unconscious. Injured. He looked so small and so innocent. This was all his fault. He was a failure of a father. He couldn't even protect his own son. But he was going to be better. He would fix this.
0o0oo0SPIDERMAN00o0o0
Arriving at the Tower, Tony was thankful to see Dr Cho waiting with a bed at the entrance and a group of nurses. Tony laid him carefully down on the bed, scared when Peter didn't wake up.
He exited his suit and followed them all up to medical floor, finding Pepper and May pacing as they waited.
"Oh my god Peter!" May exclaimed rushing over to him and cupping his face as he passed; "What happened? Is he ok?"
"We have to take him. I'll let you know when I know more." Dr Cho insisted gently, before rushing off with Peter. They all wanted to follow, Tony especially didn't want to let Peter out of his sight again. But the door clicked shut behind them as they entered the exam room, and the curtain was drawn and door shut. Shutting them out.
"Tony." Pepper fell into his arms crying. He comforted her, and she comforted him. Then seeing May hugging herself, he moved to hug her.
"He'll be ok." Tony offered in reassurance; "He's the most stubborn kid I've ever met."
May chuckled as she pulled back wiping her eyes; "Yeah he is. I guess he gets that from you."
"From you too. I'm sure."
May squeezed his hand gratefully, and then looked towards the exam room pained; "What happened?" She whispered; "Who did that to him?"
Tony sighed as he turned to both of them; "I'm not really sure. I got the text from him and flew straight to the school. He hadn't even been there five minutes before there was some sort of fight his friend Ned said. Apparently that kid," Tony looked at Pepper; "Flash." He said in revulsion at the name; "Stupid name by the way. Apparently he started the fight with Peter and pushed him down some stairs."
"Oh my god!" May and Pepper gasped covering their mouths.
"That kid did this to him!" Pepper said her eyes narrowing dangerously; "I knew that kid was trouble!"
"Do you know this...Flash?" Tony turned to May pleadingly for answers; "Has he been messing with Peter?"
May paused thinking; "I remember a few times he mentioned something about a Flash saying some bad things to him, but never anything physical. I tried to ask more about it but he just said it was nothing. I assumed it had stopped. God I should have pushed him harder." May closed her eyes; "I should have known. Has this been going on all this time?"
"How long?" Tony asked fearfully.
May looked at him scared; "Years. Ever since middle school I think." Then she shuddered and started crying again; "Oh god. I'm a terrible mother."
"No May." Pepper rushed forward and hugged her; "No one knew. He kept it a secret. Peter likes to deal with this stuff himself, because he doesn't want to worry us."
Tony clenched his fists. This damn bloody kid had been bullying his son?! That was unacceptable; "I'm going to kill that kid."
Pepper turned to him sending him a look. It wasn't one of disapproval, but one to say now wasn't the time for that. They had to be here for Peter. Peter was all that mattered.
Well Tony for one was going to make sure something like this never happened again. He wasn't going to dance around this with Peter anymore. They were going to have a frank conversation about everything, and clear the air. No more secrets, no more supressing feelings. He just hoped Peter would be ok. Seeing him hurt...it was the worst feeling imaginable. He had to be ok. He couldn't handle it if he was seriously hurt.
Happy arrived at this point, running right into them breathing heavily. May saw him and rushed to him, falling into his arms.
Pepper stood there watching them before walking over to Tony, and hugging him. All of them relying on each other to get through this.
"Tell me he's going to be ok Pep. Please..." He needed someone to say it.
"He's going to be ok."