Hi all!

Thank you so much for all the love! I can't thank you enough for all the wonderful comments and love you are giving this series! Thank you!

PROMPTS ARE CLOSED!

This prompt is from Jaylyn on Ao3 - everyone is together for a movie or something. And peter quietly leaves the room to go to the bathroom. Wine he's gone everyone decides to go out to dinner or something. Peter returns from the bathroom to find an empty room.

I apologise for any mistakes and I hope you enjoy

Part of the Team

When it comes to large groups, Peter is often forgotten. Forgotten to be assigned for group projects, forgotten to be assigned a team in PE and on one memorable occasion in the third grade he had been forgotten on a field trip.

(Peter had never seen his aunt get that angry before and even when she had ushered him out of the principal's office, the sound of his uncle Ben's yelling had followed them out into the main office had been eye opening. Peter had eaten his weight in ice cream that afternoon much to his delight.)

As the youngest and newest member of the Avenger's, Peter had been waiting for the moment for them to forget about him. Peter wasn't loud and boisterous like some of the others and no matter how much they included him; Peter always felt a little off to the side of the group because of his age.

Tony never let him feel that way. He always made sure that Peter was okay, always sat next to him during movies night, made sure he had enough food and water. Peter always felt a little awkward whenever Tony wasn't there, but he tried his best to fit in. But just like at school, Peter never really fit in.

They had been discussing dinner options when it happened. Tony and Pepper were not there, both of them working on SI business but Tony had assured Peter, he would meet them wherever they decided to eat.

"We had burgers last night," Natasha shook her head at Clint's suggestion. "Let's have Indian."

"That sounds good," Bruce agreed with a smile towards the spy.

"Not after last time," Sam shook his head, placing a hand tentatively on his stomach.

"Can't handle a little heat?" Bucky smirked.

Sam shot Bucky a glare. "I hate you."

"How about some Greek food?" Wanda suggested, looking around the group.

"Done," Steve said before there could be any protests. "Let's go. I'm starving."

"I'm just going to the bathroom," Peter said, edging away from the group. "Be back in a sec!"

By the time Peter had finished up in the bathroom and returned to the living room, it was empty. Peter looked around, straining his hear. The Tower was silent, and Peter's heart dropped in his chest.

"FRIDAY?"

"Yes, Peter?"

"They forgot me, didn't they?"

"I'm afraid so, Peter," FRIDAY confirmed, her voice gentle. "Would you like me to contact Mr. Stark?"

Peter shook his head. "No! Don't do that. I'm just…I'm just going to go home. Just, uh, if anyone asks, I wasn't feeling well. Okay?"

"Of course, Peter," FRIDAY said, her voice still gentle.

Peter nodded, not trusting himself to speak at the AI's obvious sympathy. He sniffed, willing the burning sensation behind his eyes to disappear. He wiped his eyes and hurried out of the Tower before any tears could spill.

"He still not answering your calls?" Pepper's voice had Tony lifting his head from his phone. He blinked at Pepper's soft expression and lightly tossed his phone onto lab bench.

Sighing heavily, Tony shook his head. "No."

When Tony had finally managed to get away from SI, dragging a hungry Pepper with him, and had arrived at the restaurant he had been confused as to why everyone was there but Peter.

"Where's the kid?" Tony asked, forgoing any greeting.

Everyone had looked around the table, as if only just then realising that Peter wasn't there with them. Tony had felt anger rush through him, his eyes narrowing dangerously behind his glasses.

"FRIDAY, locate Peter," Tony had growled out. He ignored the flash of guilty looks on everyone faces, instead turning to look at Pepper.

"Peter went home, boss. He claimed he wasn't feeling well," FRIDAY relayed to him through his glasses.

It was lie and they both new it. Peter could – and unfortunately had – have a bullet in him and still claim that he was fine and that it was only a flesh wound Mr. Stark!

"Tony?" Pepper had squeezed his hand.

"Let's go," Tony said, his voice hard, ignoring the group.

Tony hadn't spoken to them since and every time he called Peter; the call went unanswered. Peter had messaged him and assured him he was okay. Karen – Peter's AI – had confirmed that Peter was not physically hurt in anyway. Tony was still worried and hated that Peter was keeping his distance.

"Where is he now?" Pepper asked, her fingers gently sliding through the hairs on the nape of his neck.

"Home," Tony said. He had been monitoring Peter ever since, and not once had the kid come close to the Tower.

"You should go by and see him," Pepper said.

Tony rubbed at his eyes. "He won't talk to me Pep. I doubt he would want me showing up at his safe place."

"I talked to May," Pepper's nails scratched at his neck. "She would like nephew to stop hanging from the ceiling and would appreciate you coming to talk to him. Peter is expecting you."

Tony turned to look at his fiancé, her fingers slipping from his neck. "How often do you talk to May?"

Pepper smirked. "Enough that you should be worried."

Tony huffed a laughed and pressed a kiss to Pepper's lips.

"Hey kiddo."

Peter blinked and taking in the sight of tony Stark leaning against the door to his room. He had heard Tony arrive and May greeting him, but Peter had been too nervous to come down from his spot on the ceiling. He knew that May was worried about him spending so much time upside down, but it had made Peter feel better.

"Hey Mr. Stark."

"May I?" Tony asked, gesturing to the room.

Peter nodded and tracked Tony as he moved to Peter's desk and took a seat on his chair. Tony craned his neck to look up at Peter, offering a small smile. "Comfy, kiddo?"

Peter nodded, offering a small shrug of his shoulders. "I can come down if it makes you uncomfortable."

"No, kid," Tony shook his head. "This is your room. Your place. You can sit however you like."

Peter nodded, relaxing slightly. "You're here to talk about the other night. About the dinner."

Tony's jaw clenched. "I am so sorry about that kiddo. They never should have left you at the Tower."

Peter fiddled with the hem off his shirt. "I don't blame you. I know you wouldn't have left me behind had you been there."

"Never," Tony confirmed firmly.

"I just…I haven't been around because I don't think I belong there."

"Peter. You will always have a place at the Tower. Always," Tony assured him.

"I know you will always have a place for me," Peter said. "You've never made me feel…unseen. I just meant that…"

"That you don't think you belong in the Avenger's," Tony finished for him.

Peter nodded, relieved that Tony understood. "I know they didn't do it on purpose. I guess, I'm younger than them and –"

"No. Don't make excuses for them Peter," Tony interrupted with a gently but firm voice. "They forgot you. I understand why you feel that way. This group is built on trust, and they broke yours."

"I don't want them to think I don't like them. I do," Peter insisted.

"I know you do," Tony smiled up at him. "You're a good kid, Pete. And I think it's the right decision for you to step away from them for a while. It will be a good lesson for them."

Peter carefully descended from the ceiling on a single web, pausing so he was eyelevel with Tony. "Will they be mad?"

"Only at themselves for being so stupid," Tony assured him. "Can I give you a hug now?"

Peter grinned and flipped himself around, landing on the floor with a small thump. He waited until Tony was on his feet and then pulled him into a hug. He shuddered as Tony's arms wrapped around him and pressed himself closer.

"I'm sorry."

"You have nothing to be sorry about, Pete," Tony said, and Peter felt a firm kiss pressed to the crown of his head. "You have done the right thing. I'm proud of you."

As Peter stood in Tony's arms, he felt for the first time that he had made the right decision. One day he would be a part of the Avengers but right now, he was more than happy just being on Tony's team. The best team there ever was.

Happy reading :)