Chapter 35

When Peter next woke up, he felt awful but a little clearer headed.

He looked around the room for a moment fearing he was alone, and felt a little sad that they left him.

"Peter? Honey?"

May's voice had him turning and May was instantly rushing over, sitting on the edge of the bed, reaching for him. She caressed his face smiling.

"How are you feeling?"

"Tired. Hurts."

"I know baby. Helen says it's going to be like that for a little while. But you'll feel better soon."

"Where's everyone else?"

"Happy's just gone to get some coffee. Your parents are talking to Helen. Seeing when we can take you home. It shouldn't be too long now. And you'll be back to normal in no time."

She looked at him so lovingly, Peter felt his gut clench.

"May..."

"Don't apologise honey please. I can't take it anymore." She smirked and it made him smile.

"Ok."

"Peter there is nothing to be sorry for. It was just a silly fight. I overreacted. I was worried about you, fearing that you were out patrolling all night. I was just concerned you were going to get hurt, and neglecting your studies. I'm the one who should be sorry for how I acted. All I want is you safe and happy honey. I love you so much, there is nothing you could say to me or do, that would change that."

Peter smiled shyly nodding, and as he reached for her hand he murmured; "Can...can I have a hug?"

May instantly brightened, merely tilting her head her eyes watering, relieved that Peter still needed her; "Oh baby." Climbing onto the bed, she pulled him into a tight hug.

"I love you so much May. You are my mom in every way that counts. I hope you know that. Just like Pepper."

"Honey it's ok. You don't have to explain." Rubbing his arm, she settled back against the bed sighing; "When you were a just a few years old you called me mom once."

"I did?"

"Yeah." May chuckled; "It was so sweet. And I loved you like my own son so it made sense. But I just didn't want you to feel like I was replacing your parents, and Ben felt the same. We didn't want to confuse you, so we decided it would better to have you call us Aunt and Uncle. But it doesn't matter what you call me. Mom. Aunt. May. I don't care. We love each other that's all that matters."

Peter curled into May, relieved she wasn't mad at him. It would break his heart to lose her.

May paused after a moment staring at the door; "Peter. Do you feel ready to talk yet?"

Stilling, Peter was hit with a wave of panic and closed his eyes, turning into her chest; "No. Not yet."

"Ok honey. That's fine. I won't push you. Listen baby." She straightened so he had to sit up to look at her. Brushing the hair from his face she continued; "Your dad and I talked, and we've decided that we're all going to stay at his house once you leave here. Atleast for a little while. You're going to off school for a while even after you're full recovered, because normally your injuries would take a few weeks to heal. During that time we're just going to spend some time together as a family. And we're not going to rush you. We all need to talk, but we can see you're not ready so we agreed we're going to wait until you are ready. Ok?" She searched his face before leaning forward to kiss his forehead; "Baby we just want to help you. We love you."

"I love you too." Peter said in a small voice, feeling suddenly terrible. They were being so nice to him, so patient. And he was being difficult. He wanted to talk to May, but he just couldn't. Not about this. It would hurt her. And he couldn't do that.

"Does that sound ok Peter?" May clarified needing to be sure.

"Yeah it does." Peter admittedly shyly, because he did need some time to think and just being with them. It helped.

"Ok good good honey." May smiled relieved before becoming serious again; "I just...I need you to promise me that you aren't going to run away again? I couldn't bear losing you baby."

Peter was going to explain how he didn't really run away, but thought better of it and just nodded; "I promise." He could see now that the idea was stupid and reckless, and selfish. He didn't want to leave them either. Knowing they didn't want him to leave, it helped relieve some doubts he had.

May just smiled and pulled into a tight hug, as if afraid he might suddenly run. Peter had no intention of going anywhere though.

0o0o0SPIDERMAN0o0o0o0o0o

Peter shuffled into the house, broken arm wrapped across his torso, and his other hand holding onto Pepper's as she helped steady him. Every step made his chest get tighter, breathing got harder, and he found himself coughing which hurt even more. Of course this made his head throb more, and everything spun. He felt exhausted and he'd only walked from the car to the house.

"You ok bud?" Tony asked concerned as they stopped in the hallway, and he put a hand on Peter's face peering at him anxiously.

"Little dizzy..." Peter grimaced suddenly feeling a wave of nausea; "Hurts. This sucks."

Tony smiled wryly; "Yeah I know bud. But Helen says you're healing again now. You should start to feel better soon."

"Where do you want to be set up honey?" Pepper asked; "Bedroom? The living room? Blanket fort? Whenever you would feel the most happy."

"Um..." Peter was struggling to think right now. His head hurt so much. A bed did sound nice, but he didn't want to be alone in his bedroom, he didn't want to be alone at all right now; "Living room?" Atleast then he could be with everyone.

"Living room it is." Tony nodded; "Think you can make it?"

Whimpering a little because he didn't want to move an inch, he finally nodded and winced at the motion. Helen said as much as it hurt he did need to walk around every now and then to avoid fluid build up in his lungs.

Tony was dubious sending hesitant looks at the others but relented, helping him; "Ok bud let's get you sitting down." He took Pepper's place holding Peter's hand.

"We'll get you some warm tea and some soup." May murmured quietly brushing a hand over his head before she and Pepper headed into the kitchen.

Happy followed Tony and Peter's slow journey to the living room.

Peter let out a loud sigh of relief as he sunk into the sofa, curling up against the arm. Tony sat down beside him, and pulled Peter into his lap.

Happy pulled a blanket down and draped it over Peter, whilst Tony rubbed his thumb across Peter's forehead. Peter made a content sound at the motion helping ease his throbbing.

"Bad headache huh bud?" Tony said in sympathy. He'd had his fair sure of concussions and knew they could really suck. He rubbed his back wishing he could do more.

"Hmm." Was all Peter was able to say, shivering and huddling further against his dad's chest, closing his eyes. He grimaced a bit as he knocked some bruises that sent some sharp pains all over. He could feel himself dozing off.

"Hey bud stay awake for a bit ok?" Tony murmured softly; "We need to get some food and liquids into you before you fall asleep." He remembered Helen's strict instructions to make sure Peter gets lots of fluids, food and rest. But to wake him every few hours and check his mental status. It was bad to leave a concussed person to sleep alone.

Peter just groaned, he wanted to sleep. And the idea of food and drink make him feel sick now.

"I know you feel rough spider baby but we're going to help you feel better."

"Here we are baby." May returned with a tray of soup and honey tea as Pepper carried in Peter's pain pills.

Peter didn't lift his head. Tony shared a glance with the women, but shifted to help Peter sit up.

"Come on honey." Pepper held the pills and tea out to him.

Peter eyed them with distaste; "Don't like them. They made everything all fuzzy..."

"Better fuzzy then feeling like your heads going to explode." Tony replied earning a look from May, but he just shrugged; "It's true. I've had my fair sure of concussions."

Another sharp pain hit Peter's head and he relented, taking the two pills and some slow sips of the tea. Surprisingly the tea was really good and made him feel a little better.

He tried to take some spoonful's of the soup, but then his chest tightened and he found himself coughing. Feeling sick he stopped and immediately snuggled back against his dad.

Happy handed him a pillow; "Hold this to your chest. It will help ease the rib pain, and it wont hurt so much when you cough."

Peter took it gratefully, hugging it to his chest and Tony sent a thankful look to the man.

A moment later Peter was out. His head against his dad's chest. Tony just kissed the top of his head, hoping when he woke up he would feel better.

0o0oo0SPIDERMAN0o0o0o0o

Unfortunately, Peter woke up a few hours later as his gut clenched, he cried out; "DAD!" In warning, and thankfully they all sensed what was wrong, because a trashcan was shoved into his hands just in time. He retched and threw up the contents on his stomach.

Hands rubbed his back, his dad's he thought, and there was a cool cloth wiping his face. He was sure May was perched saying reassuring things to him, but he could hear nothing over the ringing in his ears.

He gagged a few more times, but with nothing more to throw up, he finally sagged back against his dad's chest exhausted. It was then he felt tears falling down his face.

"Sorry..."

"It's ok baby." May soothed.

"Don't worry bud." Tony wiped the tears from Peter's face; "It's normal. You feel better after that?"

Peter just let out a moan, because no he didn't. He felt worse. He was shaking hard, his ribs were killing him, and there was a sharp pain shooting up his broken arm that had him crying more.

"I think it's time for more pain meds buddy."

"I'll get some ice too."

The next thing he knew, Peter felt something cool placed against his ribs, and he sighed contently.

After downing some more pills and some juice, he drifted back to sleep. Too exhausted and in pain to dream thankfully.

0o0oo0SPIDERMAN0o0o0o0o0

When Peter woke again, his head was spinning, and it was dark. And he realised he wasn't laying against his dad anymore. He was placed against the arm of the sofa, covered in a blanket.

And he was alone.

Panicked he moved to sit up terrified where everyone went.

Then a hand touched his face, and he turned seeing Pepper was sitting beside him; "Hey honey. How are you feeling?"

"Dunno...foggy."

Pepper made a face in sympathy.

"Where's dad? And May?"

"May and Happy are just making dinner. Your dad's just nipped to the bathroom. He'll be right back."

At that moment Tony walked back in, and Peter felt so happy to see him.

"Hey you're up!" Tony grinned as he strolled over.

Peter met his dad halfway, pushing off the sofa to hug him.

"Woah hey. You ok?" Tony covered his head and set Pepper a perplexed look. She just shrugged.

"I missed you. Thought you'd left." Peter murmured against his dad's chest.

His heart swelled with love for Peter, he sounded so scared that Tony had left him. Was that just the injury? Or was this how Peter had really been feeling?

"Oh bud I'm not going anywhere don't worry. I'm right here spider baby. You feeling any better?"

Peter shrugged. It didn't hurt so much anymore, he just felt a little dizzy and tired.

"You hungry?" Tony tried again and was happy when the kid nodded.

"Good come on your aunt will be happy to see you up and about."

0o0oo0SPIDERMAN0o0ooo

Meanwhile at Flash's house...

Flash was playing an online fighting video game in his room.

"Yeah man you should have seen his face it was totally awesome!" Flash laughed as had retold the story of beating Peter up. He didn't really care about being suspended from school, his parents weren't around so he could do whatever he wanted. Play games, go out and see his friends, not do his school work. It was pretty great actually, and knowing Peter was hurt, well it was worth it.

That was until the lights and power suddenly flickered and went off at the same time there was a crack of thunder outside.

"Woah what the...?" Flash glared at the TV hitting his controller. But it didn't come back online. Huffing he grabbed his phone.

"Damn power." Flash hopped off his bed and marched to his door, yanking it open to yell at the nanny to fix the power. But he stop, his jaw dropping at seeing Thor standing in his doorway his hammer raised.

"Are you Eugene? Son of Thompson?"

"Thor..." Flash gasped and grinned; "Man this is totally awesome! Stupid Penis Parker rants he knows Iron Man. Well I know Thor!" He raised his phone to take a picture, when there was a loud thud that shook the whole house and he stumbled onto his butt on the floor.

He blinked and looked up freezing, as Hulk was standing on his balcony glaring in at him, and there was Black Widow, Captain America, and Hawkeye.

"Oh my god. This is awesome!"

"Quiet Eugene!" Thor growled pointing the hammer at him.

Nat walked towards Flash and knelt down eyeing him up and down; "You the one who beat up Peter?"

Flash instantly froze; "You...you know Penis?"

"Excuse me?" Steve raised an eyebrow taking a dangerous step forward; "What did you call him?"

"Er nothing." Flash stammered fearfully.

"Yeah better be nothing." Clint huffed looking around Flash's room, knocking a few things off some shelves.

"We're here to deliver a message." Nat continued; "A friendly warning. Stay away from Peter."

"What but come on you can't be serious?" Flash scoffed in disbelief, he refused to believe the Avengers were friends with Peter.

Hulk suddenly bellowed loudly making Flash jump and scramble back.

Steve sighed sending Hulk a look.

"You hurt Son of Stark!" Thor growled stepping towards Flash.

"We don't like bullies Eugene." Nat continued cracking her knuckles; "Especially ones who hurt our friends."

"You are going to apologise to Peter for everything you did to him, and stay away from him forever." Steve warned firmly; "No more calling him names, no more tripping or throwing stuff at him."

"If you so much as look badly in his direction we'll know and we'll be back." Nat asked with a smirk; "We'll be watching you Eugene."

"That clear?" Clint finished, and they all stared daggers at him.

Flash gulped and shakily nodded his head; "Yeah yes."

"Good." Steve nodded and gestured at the team.

There was a crack of thunder a bright light, causing Flash to cover his eyes. When he lowered his hand his eyes widened as he came across an empty bedroom.

Then the power came back on, and the nanny rushed in.

"Mr Flash what are you doing on the floor?"

"Erm nothing." Flash said shakily standing up and brushing himself off. When his friends online asked what happened, and started talking bad about Peter again, Flash just turned off the game and looked around nervously heeding the warning very seriously.

0o0oo0SPIDERMAN0o0o0o0o

Peter managed to eat some dinner without throwing up this time, and he stayed awake for a little enjoying hanging out with his family. He felt safe. And happy to have so many loving people caring for him.

As he was put to bed that night, they all said goodnight to him and he went to bed with a smile on his face.

But it didn't last long because the nightmare from the other night returned. He was in and out of consciousness, so he didn't realise he had shouted, and was surprised when his dad and May burst in startled.

They both soothed him and reassured him, giving him some pills and putting him back to sleep.

"I'm going to stay." Tony murmured quietly to May at the door; "Make sure he doesn't need anything else."

Tony sat down on Peter's sofa, watching Peter sleep for a while. Seeing the way his chest moved up and down, proving he was breathing and safe. But he couldn't stop looking at the bruises on Peter's face. They were healing. Most of them had healed, all except for the black eye. It was taking a little longer to go away. He couldn't wait for it to heal and disappear. He couldn't bear to see Peter hurt.

A small smile crossed his face as he thought about the Avengers little visit to Flash this evening though. Nat had reported it as a success, promising that Flash wouldn't be a problem for Peter anymore. That was a relief. He knew the school had suspended Flash, but that wasn't going to change the fact he was a snobbish little punk. He would continue to hurt Peter and Tony wasn't having that. Thankfully, all it took was telling his fellow heroes what happened, and they were volunteering to pay a visit to Flash. They would do anything for Peter just like him. He was grateful for that.

They were all going to protect Peter from ever getting hurt again. That brought Tony some piece of mind.

But he was still struggling with knowing that Peter had been planning to run away. It had shocked him to his core, and he was scared to let the kid out of his sight. When Peter had screamed, he hadn't been sleeping anyway, been awoken by a nightmare that he had gone into Peter's room in the night to check on him but Peter was gone. Run away. He was scared that might actually happen. Peter promised May he wouldn't but Tony had to be sure. Until they figured out what was bothering him, Tony would keep a close eye on his son.

He stood up and perched on the edge of Peter's head, leaning to tenderly brush a hand across his face, before combing through his hair.

"I love you spider baby." Tony murmured before climbing over to the other side of the bed, and laid down beside Peter. Just watching him sleep until he fell asleep himself.