Author's note:
Finally updated! Sorry, I wasn't been able to write, had a bit of a writer's block and we're still on vacation though. I've been dreading to write for a while now, thankfully I had the time to finally gather and organize the ideas. Thank you for still reading this. And those kind words from your reviews, ahh so much love. I appreciate it so much. Thank you guys. Happy reading!
Rocks of ruins, cars on flames, hundreds of people looking up. Where am I? What are they are they staring at? He looks up to see a familiar sight falling from the sky. He tried to run but he couldn't move. It can't be. Iron Man's falling close and closer to the ground. Somebody... somebody help my Dad! Please! Help him! He struggled to move but to no success until the loud thud!
Peter abruptly shot his eyes open and woke up reaching his hand to no one, heaving heavy breaths. Cold sweat dripped from his forehead. His heart racing. Dad? Where's Dad? Dad's usually around when he woke up with a scare. The night clock at his side table says only three thirty in the morning. It was already a month since his worst nightmare came into life and ever since then, nothing has ever been the same.
Peter started to get up and walk outside his room. The dim blue side LED's on the floor automatically lights up on his each step guiding him in the dark. It was supposed to be frightening for a young little boy to walk by himself on a secluded hallway in the middle of the night but lately, Peter's been more afraid of his nightmares.
He can't get to sleep unless Dad is there by his side. He went to the kitchen and saw a figure sitting, drinking from a glass, staring into the view of the buildings lost deep in thought. He immediately knew who it was and stepped closer. "Dad..."
The little voice came so suddenly that Tony was startled. So startled in fact that he fell out of his chair and dropped the glass causing a loud splintering noise to echo across the entire penthouse. Peter flinched and his eyes widened. "I-I'm sorry Dad. I didn't mean to startle you." He's about to go to his Dad to help him but Tony signaled him to stop. "It's ok. I'm okay, Pete. There's broken glass scattered. Don't move." The automated vacuum bots appeared to sweep off the glass and Tony got up on his feet and carried Peter to the table. Dad's hands are still shacking, he does not get easily frightened before. Have I scared him so badly?
Tony noticed Peter's looking at him worriedly. He forced a smile even though his hands are still trembling. "Let me guess, another nightmare?"
Peter nodded and Tony sighed, me too, bud. Tony tries to sleep but every time he felt as if he can finally relax, the flashbacks starts. And when he finally slept, the nightmares wake him up. It just keeps happening that he doesn't want to sleep anymore. The worst one yet, his precious little one being taken from him forever, and it gave him the biggest scare that can even make him lose his mind.
He poured fresh milk on a glass and gave it to Peter. "It will help you relax." Peter started to drink and once finished Tony gave him a kiss on his forehead. "Good boy. C'mon let's get you to sleep again." He carried Peter on his room. He lit up a peppermint candle to relax their senses. Tony planted soft gentle kisses on Peter's head and cuddled him to sleep. Every now and then, Tony was reminded of the horrifying events, but Peter has been his lifeline keeping him glued together, to live more, to stay strong.
Their entire summer was spent in Malibu. Peter went to summer camp for a month while Tony picked up a hobby of building suits ever since the invasion. Peter thought it was just for fun but it kept on coming, and until now Dad's still not stopping. He almost forgot some of the names of the suits Dad already created. Dad let him name some of them, and one of his favorites are "Igor" and "Starboost". He provided the ideas for "Chameleon" and "Tiger". Basically, an entire Iron Legion now exist at their Hall of Armory that can eventually retire his Dad. It should make Peter feel safe but the feeling of worry takes over more. Building that many armors might mean Dad's preparing for something worse.
It is now a new school year, nearing winter break. Peter and Ned walked at the Football field of Midtown Tech to the bleachers. They looked over at the perimeter set up by the Department of Damage Control cleaning up after the Leviathan laid over their Football field for months now. A bunch of other students are also in there. The creature has now been an attraction for students.
"Looks like they're halfway done." Peter noticed as he eats his sandwich.
"I'm gonna miss that thing when they're done." Ned replied and Peter face scrunched up. What? "Dude. You're so weird." and they laughed afterwards. They hang out at the bleachers every now and then after school to watch the people do their work.
"When do you think they're coming back Peter? I want my drawings to be signed by the rest of the Avengers." Ned started to open his bag pack and see his drawings.
"Yeah, Peter! When are they coming back? We want our drawings to be signed too." Liz interrupted and the other girls went beside them.
Peter was about to answer when Flash cut in walking past them. "Oh sure, as if little Parker knows where they are. Bet Captain America won't even want to hang-out with that wimp."
"Just piss off, Flash." Ned called out while Peter just glared at the boy who's now walking away from them. Typical Flash. Peter always remember what Dad had told him. He always try to rise above not taking into heart the bad remarks even though sometimes he really just wanted to smack Flash even with his little hands.
"Don't mind him, Peter." Liz tapped his shoulder and whispered. "He's always jealous of you." And that bought a smile to Peter's face. "Thanks Liz."
At that moment a snowflake landed on Peter's nose. They all looked up, breathing and feeling the cold breeze and snow. It is the first snowfall of the year. All the kids started laughing merrily going to the football field enjoying the first snowfall.
That night Peter and Tony started decorating their Christmas tree at the Penthouse while a jingle bell rock plays on the background. They danced around while the snow falls to the ground giving the Manhattan roads and buildings a nice white coat. Tony picks up Peter to put the last Star ornament on the top of the tree.
"Ready?" Tony asked and Peter nodded as the Christmas lights of the tree came to life. Peter's eyes sparkled as the different lights danced around. "It looks magical, Dad." Tony grinned as they watched and he put his arm around his son. They sat at the carpeted floor near the fireplace after and drank their hot chocolate. It was the perfect way to cape off the night.
Iron Man landed on the Penthouse and Tony swiftly stepped away from his suit. His knees are going weak and his heart is still pounding. He first thought of a heart attack, I might be getting old. But it was a severe anxiety attack, it's the first time he had it this badly. He just had a catch-up with Rhodes in a famous burger joint in the city where they discussed about the Mandarin. For months now, the terrorist has been disrupting channels and is always on the news. Even Peter had accidentally watched it one time and became frightened. He can't help but feel concerned. It's not some big superhero business but there must be something he can do to help or stop it since he had tons of armored suits ready to fire at his disposal. Then the kids asking for an autograph went to them, and all became nuts from there. The little voice asking "How did you get out of the wormhole?" still rings in his head. The flashback starts and everything's going downhill like there's no stopping it. Among the many things he's worried about, the wormhole was the one that constantly keeps him up every now and then.
He walked briskly at the bar to pour himself a glass of Jack. He closed his eyes trying to calm himself and held the glass tightly as if he's about to break it. When he opened his eyes, he found Peter heading to his direction. He turned around the other way to not his little kid see him like this. He can't calm the fuck down and as he tries hard for it to stop, the episode grows more strongly.
"Dad! Pepper's coming later right?" Peter asked excitedly and catches up with him hugging him from the back. Pepper's hasn't been in New York lately and he already miss her. Stark Industries HQ is still in California and Pepper mostly spends her time there with Happy as the new Head of Security. Peter's smile faded as he felt Dad's uneven breathing and he went to check and see Dad's face. "Dad, are you okay?"
He grew more worried as Dad now sits down at the couch gasping for air. Dad tried to tell him. "Go to your room." It's the first time he sees Dad like this. He remembered he's also like this when he had a frightful nightmare and Dad has been there by his side calming him down.
"Dad, just breathe... It's gonna be okay. You're going to be okay." He cupped his Dad's face and their foreheads touched together. It is what his Dad always tells him "I'm okay. You're okay. We're okay." and it works everytime. He prays that it works now. Tony repeated it in his head like a mantra. Slowly, Dad's breathing calmed down evenly and Peter sighed in relief. Dad finally gave a half-smile holding him close. "What would I do without you."
Pepper frowned in disbelief as she saw Tony in his lab doing pull-ups. She was just welcomed by the Iron Man suit and found out her hunch was right when she went into his lab. She just had a 6 hour flight from California to New York and was looking forward on their date night for a week now.
Tony had a conversation yesterday with Happy being the new "forehead" of Security of Stark Industries and it opened up an old flame Pepper had. It made Happy uneasy having suspicious doubts on Killian's bodyguard mentioning he's going to investigate.
The Mark 42 suit turns its face toward her, as if to look at her accusingly. Her disappointment flares up for being wrongly accused of entertaining Killian romantically when it's just mainly for business. She hasn't seen the guy for a long time and she was shocked to see the man having a more suave and confident aura that no longer shows any signs of his previous handicap, but that was it. She was glad for him but it doesn't mean that she could easily be swayed by his invitation to AIM.
She started walking upstairs. She had it. She's tired from a long day of work and one thing he could at least do is put his trust on her. Until Tony finally had the courage to admit he's at fault. It made her stopped on her tracks to find Tony's eyes sincerely apologizing.
"I'm a piping hot mess. It's been going on for a while, I haven't said anything. Nothing's been the same since the invasion." His anxiety attack earlier has been his most severe one yet. The nightmares, the exaggerated startled response, his high anxieties, and the feeling that he has to do and chase something are the signs that something's really wrong.
"You experience things and then they're over and you still can't explain 'em. Gods, aliens, other dimensions, and that freaking research... I...I'm just a man in a can. The only reason I haven't cracked up is because of Peter. That little kid kept me going. And you, you've been my rock. I have you both, I love you both, and I'm lucky. But, honey, I can't sleep. I come down here. I do what I know, I tinker...
But threat is imminent, and I have to protect the one thing that I can't live without. That's you and my son."
Pepper walked towards Tony and held him close. His suits have been his distraction, a coping mechanism that keeps him busy. But he can't help it because when he stops, the darkness is always there to eat him up.
"Dr. Banner, am I doing this right?" Peter asked as he answered another set of questions. He hangs out with the good doctor every once in a while whenever it's date night of Tony and Pepper.
"Yeah. Nice, you got it." Bruce checks the answers and smiled. He's always amazed at how Peter quickly picks up and learns things. They're going over the basics of Bioorganics now because Peter's already done with his homework. "So, what's your dad up to this time?"
Peter shrugged. "He's not supposed to do anything tonight. If he does, Pepper's going to be upset again."
"Ahh... Let's hope it goes well with them this time."
Peter smirked, he knew how Dad can be so stubborn. He looks up to find Dr. Banner now staring at his microscope. "You're a doctor right Dr. Banner? I mean you treat the sick, like a physician... Do you also give talks? Like a medical talk? Like a psy... Psych.." Peter tried to say the words and it's already at the tip of his tongue. He had already red it before.
"A Psychiatrist?" Bruce looked over at Peter, his brows knitted questioning.
"Yeah, that."
"What for Peter? Do you need help? Are you in trouble? Is someone bullying you at school? Does your Dad know about this?" Bruce can't let anything like this happening. Peter's just a little kid and everyone close to the Starks knows how precious a kid Peter is. Tony will surely rain down hell fire at anyone who tries to mess with his kid.
Peter's eyes widened. He can sense suspicion and anger growing now on Dr. Banner and he's afraid he's going to wake up the big green guy. "What? No no no, Dr. Banner. It's not for me. It's for my Dad."
Confusion overtook Banner's face now. Peter continued. "Can you talk to him? He had an anxiety attack earlier and it's nothing I've seen before. I don't know... maybe it might help him."
Bruce knew the events of the battle took its toll on Tony the most and he gazes over at Peter's worried eyes. It's not his specialization, he only had a few months of training in Psychiatry and it's one of the specialty he dreads the most. The mind can do crazy things to people. But how is he to say no. He tapped Peter's shoulders. "I'll try to talk to him, Peter. Don't worry about it."
"Knock, Knock. Am I interrupting?" Peter and Bruce turned to the automated doors to find the Iron Man Mark 42 suit now standing in front of them. Peter's face scrunched up, he knew Dad isn't in there, it's the prehensile tech controlled by Dad's nervous system. "Hey Bruce." Tony's voice was heard as the suit walked to them.
"Hey, Iron Man. How's date night going?"
"It's good. Good." Tony answered but Peter's brow shot up as he fix all his things in his backpack and looked over at Dr. Banner. "No, it didn't." Bruce smiled and patted Peter's hair. "Yeah, it didn't."
"Thanks Dr. Banner. See you again soon." Peter hugged Bruce. "You're welcome, Peter. You can come here anytime." and he quickly ran to the suit who picked him up and put him in its shoulders.
"Thanks Banner. So how's your homework?" The suit waved and Bruce observed as he watches as Peter and the suit head off to the elevator. Tony, what are you doing with your kid, worrying him like this?
That night, Tony had a frightening nightmare once again and the prehensile armor Mark 42 almost attacked Pepper. Admitting everything to Pepper didn't make his demons go away that easily. The suit sensed that Tony is in distress. It made her so terrified that she decided to just sleep in Peter's room. When Peter woke up, he got curious as to why Pepper is at his side. And when he saw Dad's tired face during breakfast, he knew that they had a rough night. He wished that the nightmares will just stop but it can't be that easy. And that morning they got a call that Happy was involved in a bombing attack at LA's Chinese Theater.
"He's in a coma." Pepper announced and concern washed over their faces. Tony's fist clenched, Happy was investigating Killian's bodyguard and this happened. There's something that's telling him that he needed to found out the root cause of this. Peter pleaded to let him come with them to LA but Dad insisted that he stayed in New York. Tony can't let Peter go with them especially if they still doesn't know who did this. Peter was almost in tears, Happy was the one who takes care of him whenever Dad is on business trip. Tony assured that they will be back before Christmas as they were all going to spend the holidays in the Tower. He knew Peter will be safe in New York especially having the Hulk around in case. But Bruce can't control his Hulk phase yet. He's starting to worry if he should just let Peter come with him or have him at the Leeds's place when JARVIS announced who has come in at the Tower.
"Perfect timing JARVIS. Let them come up." He has invited the rest of the team to spend the holidays with them last week and they haven't promised anything but he's glad some of them could come. At the sound of the ding of the elevator, Pepper and Tony turned to see the soldier and the spy coming towards them with a smile on their faces.
"Cap. Agent Romanoff." Steve and Tony shakehands while Natasha gave them a small hug. Tony started to tell what has happened to Happy, that he's going to come to California for a day or two, and asked them to take care of Peter for a while.
"It's no problem Tony. Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?" Cap looked at Tony with care. His first impressions on Tony has been the worst, he thought that the billionaire only makes moves out of dumb indecisive selfishness but ever since the invasion, after Tony did not hesitate to put his life on the line to save the city, he was proven wrong about what he knew about Tony Stark.
Tony appreciates the thought, but turned down the offer. He acknowledged Cap as their leader when the Avengers formed in the middle of chaos and more than what Tony liked to admit, he was impressed by his tactical decisions and ever since then has been a good leader to them. The Captain always makes it a point that it's always good to have a backup around as the worst may come and they never knew what could happen. But he'll have more peace if he knew Peter was safe and with Captain America and Black Widow around, the bad guys won't even dare try.
Peter held on to his coat, hugging himself, the freezing winter breeze seeping through. "I should've been to Malibu with Dad." He mumbled as his jaw's starting to shake. It was Midtown's last day for Winter Break and the harsh winter of New York is making him almost hate it. Mrs. Leeds had already picked up Ned, and he was left to wait for his. He thought of Happy, and how he was the one who always picks him up for years before whenever Dad wasn't around. How he still babysits him patiently even he's so chatty and annoyingly playful. He hopes he's going to be okay soon. A familiar car drove around in front and Peter's eyes lits up as he immediately knew who it was as soon as they stepped out. They were wearing their coats, shades, and cap. No one can even recognize them unless they're really going to be stared at and observed.
Steve laughed heartily when Peter immediately ran towards them and hugged them. "Sorry to have kept you waiting, little Stark." Natasha smiled as she caressed his cheek and gave him another coat. They drove back to the Tower and decided the next day to take Peter out for fun on New York's attractions, to take his mind off things. They went to the Rockefeller skating rink with the big Christmas tree. The place was pumped up since it's the start of vacation and they cannot move around freely so they walked to Central Park's huge skating rink instead. Rogers, Romanoff, and Banner has put on their disguises well, thanks to the layers of clothes and scarves of the cold weather.
Steve glanced around his left. He has seen these same faces twice today. Two on his left and three on the far side of Peter and Natasha's opposite. It is highly unlikely that you see people twice on a crowded place. His whole attention is always on Peter and his team but he's always got a sense of what's happening around him. He looked at Natasha who also peered at him, knowing what he's trying to say. For the past months, they've known each other at SHIELD. Even though Clint is Natasha's partner, they've been on a few missions together, from there he's gotten to know a few about the spy. They were cold to each other at the start, conversations mainly for missions, but they've eventually warmed up to each other, knowing each other's moves and tactics.
"Bald guy at two o'clock." Natasha muttered as she skated near him. He discreetly stared to all of those faces and they were all looking at Peter. Why Peter? What would they want from Tony's kid? Is this what Tony was trying to not get Peter involved? He knew they needed to get Peter to safety. He looked over at Peter who was laughing happily while Natasha chased after him skating gracefully like a ballerina. He waited for Peter to come his way. "Gotcha." Cap picked up Peter while they skated to the exit. Those guys are now coming to them keeping a safe distance. They can take those guys but clearly they're not the one they want. They're starting to walk when he almost forgot. "Where's Bruce?"
Natasha completely forgot if not reminded by Steve. She's so preoccupied in getting Peter away from suspicious eyes. "Oh, he said he's just gonna buy some hotdogs earlier. He should be here by now." They gazed around to see if Bruce was nearby and they still cannot get a glimpse of him. Son of a bitch, on what hotdog stand did Bruce even went? They decided to just leave it and walked, Natasha started calling Bruce on her phone. They were walking over the arch path when they found themselves stopped by another set of guys looking at them like they're gonna kill, the familiar guys went soon after surrounding them.
"We just want the kid, Captain." The bald guy said casually with a piercing stare.
"Sorry but you're gonna come through us if you want this kid." Cap put Peter protectively at the middle of him and Natasha, their backs at each other.
"Have you heard the news? Tony Stark's dead and that kid is going with us." Cap brows furrowed. He looked at Natasha who also shot a questioning look. "His mansion was destroyed in Malibu along with him. Stupid shit giving his address publicly." Steve chuckled and Natasha smirked. One cannot simply kill Iron Man. They can sense the guy was dead serious but it can't be true. They didn't even believe it for a second.
Peter's eyes glossed but he held his head up high and bravely looked at the man's face. No one can can talk about his Dad that way. "You're lying!" He shouted.
"No, I'm not, little guy." The guy smirked and went closer to Peter, mocking them. "Your daddy's dead at the bottom of the ocean." Natasha put his hand protectively and hid Peter on her back.
"That's enough." Cap commanded stepping close to the guy protectively shielding Natasha and Peter on his back. They don't have weapons and his shield was at the Tower. They went out to only have fun, they wouldn't thought to encounter this kind of thing. It's going to be longer to take on these guys and they can't keep Peter off their sight.
"Okay... I hate to do this but." A punch was about to hit Cap's face but he already saw it coming and punched the guy back. The other guys started to come and Natasha managed to swing her legs up to the guy's shoulders knocking it out with the other guy around. Peter watched horrified as the Captain and Black Widow take on the bad guys, and the bald guy's fist started to glow. In a swift moment someone covered his mouth and is starting to carry him, but Peter was quick on his reflexes, he bit the guy's hand making it scream hard and kicked the guy in the nuts with his knees . More guys are coming to abduct him and he has no choice but to run. Natasha saw Peter running away from them being chased. "Steve!" She called out for him to take care of the rest of the guys. "Go after him! I can manage these." Steve replied as he dodged another punch from the bald guy now heated up like fire and she unthinkably sprinted to where Peter went, he knew self-defense, he should be okay, she assured herself. Oh, she can only wish.
Peter coughed and panted, the freezing cold weather is not helping making it harder to move, he went around in circles at the park and hid at the side of a tree. He should have lost them by now, Central Park is a huge maze of forest. He glanced around, there's no one around. He started to walk back to the nearest exit, Natasha and Steve should be done with those guys by now. He can call from help there, where there's people around, and where there's a signal. Everything's going to be okay, that man is lying, nothing can ever happen to Dad, he had lots of Armor. But he was stopped in his tracks when a man grabbed him so suddenly and put a handkerchief on his mouth, Peter tried to get free, he struggled to hit the man with his elbows, he knows how to get past this grasp, but his senses are slowly starting to go down, his eyes becoming droopy, and before he can even fight he already drifted off into unconsciousness.