Comfortember 2022 Prompt #1: Hugs and #2: Stressed

Adventures in Old English

Peter Parker was a smart kid. He really was. He got excellent grades, and worked (and kept up!) regularly in the lab with a couple of the brightest minds around. Dr. Banner and Mr. Stark both thought he was smart, too. So why couldn't he write this ridiculous English Literature paper? Why was trying to read, understand, and analyze Chaucer leading to a stress headache and complete mental breakdown? He scrubbed at his eyes, trying to pretend there weren't a few tears of frustration there, and worked on taking a few deep breaths.

His phone rang, startling him. He picked it up, looking at the display. Why was Tony calling him at 9 PM at night?

"Mr. Stark? What's up?"

"Hey kid. Your watch is reporting some crazy heart and respiration rates, but FRI says your suit isn't active. Everything okay?" Ugh. Peter only wished he was out patrolling as Spiderman. Chasing down a few villains sounded way preferable to this assignment. Unfortunately, it was nearly half of his grade for the quarter, so it's not like he could just blow it off.

"Oh. Um, everything's fine, sorry. I'm just trying to write an English Lit paper, and it's not going well, and I was just flipping out a little bit. I'm fine, though. Sorry to alarm you or whatever."

"I see. Is May there?"

"Nah, she's working tonight. She'll be back before I go to school tomorrow, though."

"Huh. You gonna be okay?"

"Yeah. It's just Chaucer. I mean, at least Beowulf was the translated version. I can barely understand this stuff, much less analyze it. Why does any of this matter?"

"Sorry, kid. I wish it was Chemistry or Physics or something, and there was something I could do to help."

"Me, too. But if it was either of those, I probably wouldn't need help."

"True. Hang in there, bud."

"Thanks. I'm sure it'll be fine. I'll try not to set off any of your alarms again, but if I do, just ignore them."

"Hmm. If you say so."

Peter continued to muddle his way through the passages that had (mostly) made sense when his teacher explained them as they went. He tried to remember what she had said about this particular tale, but wasn't making much headway. Thirty minutes after Tony's call, he only had two paragraphs written, and he doubted that they made any actual sense. It took effort not to just throw his laptop and his English Lit book out the window.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door. Who could that be? Mrs. Goldenstein down the hall checked on him sometimes, but she was usually in bed before now. He moved to the door and hesitantly opened it.

"Tony?"

"In the flesh. I brought reinforcements. I never paid much attention in English, but turns out I know someone who aced all her English classes." He reached to the side and pulled Pepper Potts into view. She was dressed in a cute sweat suit and looked like she had been headed to bed. The redheaded CEO rolled her eyes slightly at her fiancé's theatrics.

"Hey, Pete," she said kindly. "Tony said you could use some help with Chaucer? Turns out he was a favorite of mine."

"Are you serious?" Peter asked, surprise and slight awe leaking into his tone. "You really don't have to. But, uh, that would be pretty much amazing. I was kind of about to jump off a proverbial cliff." He quickly gestured them inside.

"I could have sent Pepper by herself, but I wanted to do something to help, too," Tony said, walking past him to set a fragrant bag on the counter. "I brought chocolate, Chinese food, and this." He turned back to Peter and pulled him in close for a tight hug, wrapping both arms firmly around his shoulder and squeezing just the right amount. One hand came up to cup the back of his head and brush the hair there gently.

Peter felt all the tension in his shoulders melt just a little bit in his mentor's hold, and the physical support made him relax and take a deep breath. It came back out a little shakily, but instead of forcing its way out as tears, he felt his frustration bleed out through his feet to make way for a little bit of hope, instead. Not all crises required super suits, but heroes were always welcome.