Chapter 7

Tony was sat with Vision in the Avengers living space downstairs, looking towards the android he reiterated that Peter was staying at the compound and that Vision needed to remember to use doors. Watching Tony with piqued interest, Vision asked whether Peter had gone out as Spider-man yet. Tony looked startled, "Shh - how do you know about that?" he asked in surprise, his eyes growing wider as Vision stated he had known a while after the business in Berlin – he'd worked it out since Tony had been acting as the role of mentor over the past year. "New one for you Einstein. Don't mention it to anyone – it's a secret" Tony muttered as his thoughts wandered back to Vision's question, now that it had been mentioned he wondered how long he could keep this a secret from the rest of the team given that the kid was living there now; he grimly didn't think very long. Making his way back out of the room to grab a cup of coffee, Tony stopped in surprise when he found Peter standing awkwardly in the middle of the kitchen. Looking furtively around and finding they were alone, he broke the silence by asking "what's up, spiderling?" and flashing Peter a quick smile as the boy shrugged and stuttered a brief thanks for the clothes before his stomach rumbled loudly. Chuckling quietly as Peter's face flushed in embarrassment, Tony ruffled a hand through Peter's hair before grabbing his phone from his pocket and ordering Chinese food; "food will be here in an hour sport", he added before tossing Peter another apple and motioning for the boy to follow him. Tony couldn't hide how pleased he felt when he had seen Peter wearing the new clothes he purchased for him.

Sitting back down in the Avenger's living quarters, Tony watched out of the corner of his eye, pretending to look at the TV as Vision introduced himself and asked Peter how he was doing. Peter deflected the question and instead asked Vision what he did most of the time in the compound. "I observe and learn, mostly" Vision responded easily as a kind smile spread across his face. Peter didn't quite know what to think about that so he offered a brief nod before looking up as Nat entered the room. Winking at him, Nat slid down on the sofa easily next to Peter before asking Tony where Steve had gone and nodding when Tony grunted out "gym" in response before adding, "we got a Chinese coming, you in?" he asked her. Nat nodded her agreement before dropping her gaze to look at Peter, "you coming squirt?" she asked him and watched in mild amusement as the kid gaped at her in response. Supplying a brief nod, Peter pulled himself to his feet waiting for Nat to lead the way and both of them headed towards the gym, Tony calling after them to let Captain Ice know that food would be there soon.

The sounds of an intense workout reached Peter's ears long before Nat's and as they finally rounded the corner and opened the doors to the gym, he eyed Steve raining blows down on the punchbag in front of him as it jiggled and danced around from the impact. Nat interrupted Steve's focus as she called out to him, letting him know about the food situation and the man turned to face her with a smile. "Good, I'm starving!" he added brightly before spotting Peter, "how are you doing?" he asked politely before nodding at Peter's words stuttering that he was fine. Nat watched Peter thoughtfully before she beckoned him to join her by the second punchbag next to Steve, Peter watched in awe as she sent a blow to the punchbag's midsection before dodging as it swung back towards her. He and Steve looked on as Nat continued punching, kicking, and dodging before Steve turned to Peter and offered him a go on his. Surprise flooding his thoughts, he eyed the punchbag wearily before taking a hesitant step forward and aiming a controlled punch at it as Steve looked on and gave him pointers. 45 minutes later and FRIDAY called down to inform them that food had arrived and Peter stepped back, unaware until then that he had gained an audience courtesy of both Nat and Steve. Looking up in question at the slight frown on Nat's face, he watched as her mask slipped back into place and she offered him a smile and stated, "good job kid". Muttering a thanks and feeling confused about the look that had been on Nat's face moments before, he followed the two other Avengers out of the room and back upstairs where a delicious scent made his mouth water.

Making his way over to Tony and accepting the container offered to him, Peter picked a fork up before sinking down on the sofa and eating with the rest. Rhodey walked in a while later followed by an exhausted looking Pepper. Responding to the greetings aimed her way, Pepper smiled around as Tony moved to usher her into a seat and grabbed some food for his fiancé which she accepted gratefully. Looking around, she spotted Peter and introduced herself quietly; Peter had seen Miss Potts briefly in passing but had never spent much time around her. "It's nice to see you" he offered quietly, his lips turning up in a brief welcoming smile before he looked back down at his plate, he hoped she wouldn't ask him too many questions. Luckily, he was saved by Tony who made his way over to Pepper and offered her a quick peck on the cheek and handed her a cup of tea, asking how she was feeling. Peter left them to chat together and concentrated on his food but found he only managed half of the container he was holding, thanking Tony again he focussed his attention on the TV as thoughts of May consumed him. Something about Pepper's mannerisms reminded him painfully of his aunt and he suddenly found himself swallowing his grief desperately, Peter managed another hour by which time it was heading towards 5pm and he found himself feeling exhausted suddenly. Excusing himself, he took his food container into the kitchen, grabbed a drink, and headed back to his room as Tony aimed a concerned glance his way.

Letting out a sigh, he focussed his attention back on Pepper before hearing Nat clear her throat quietly and his eyes snapped in her direction. "Peter's good on the punchbag" she offered easily as she watched Tony's eyes staring into hers, "is he?" Tony asked her, wondering why she'd bring it up. "Very good actually, wasn't he Steve? Didn't even break a sweat after almost an hour… quite fast too" Nat added again, this time her eyes boring into Tony's as Steve watched with a slight frown on his face. Tony brought his hand to the back of his neck and rubbed subconsciously as he and Pepper looked at the other two, "oh, is that right?" Tony mumbled awkwardly and grimacing to himself; Tony Stark didn't do awkward. Steve nodded in agreement, waiting for Tony to speak again but when the other man offered no other comments, he shot a glance at Nat before talking to Pepper. Nat however, continued to stare at Tony with a look on her face that plainly said she was trying to solve a particularly difficult puzzle and Tony hastily turned his attention back to the conversation between Pepper and Steve.

The evening passed and at 10pm, Tony and Pepper made their way back to their bedrooms – both wishing to spend some time alone. The other Avengers continued to relax and watch TV for the remainder of the evening, Nat and Steve talking in the corner together before one by one, they all made their way to their respective rooms silently throughout the night.

Peter had been pacing his room for hours as he thought over the evening, he felt slightly surprised at how much he found some kind of enjoyment at being around the others in the compound and though his heart was heavy and his mind boggled, he felt guilt leading the majority of his emotions. Thinking about Ned in particular, he knew he hadn't been a very good friend over the last couple of days and decided that he should drop his friend a line. Picking his phone up, he paused before trying to type out a message:

Hey man, sorry I've been MIA… May got into a crash 2 days ago and she didn't make it. I just need some time but I'll message you soon

He wrote and re-wrote the message several times before his thumb hovered uncertainly over the send button, his nerves failing him as he read back over what he had finally typed out. The words 'she didn't make it' burned into his eyes and looking at it in black and white for the first time in front of him caused his breathing to stutter and his eyes to swim with tears as the reality hit him like a freight train all over again. She was gone, would always be gone, and he was alone. He couldn't bear the thought of Ned's response, of Ned's concern and anguish over that message, he knew he wouldn't be able to hold himself together and deal with the questions; his breathing came out in short, sharp pants as he struggled. Dropping to his knees with tears streaking down his face, Peter heard FRIDAY asking if he was hurt or required assistance and he desperately ground out that he was fine in response. He fought with himself, willing the feeling to subside to a more manageable level and he swiped the unsent message off his screen, instinctively throwing his phone away from his body. His head resting on his knees, he worked on his breathing and tried to stem the flow of tears showing no sign of stopping. Exhaustion taking over several hours later, Peter drifted into an uncomfortable sleep but thankfully no nightmares plagued him. Tony and Pepper meanwhile had reunited in the best way possible before they sat up talking until 2am. Lying down, FRIDAY turned the lights off as Tony cwtched Pepper into him before clapping a hand to his head and remembering to let Pepper know about Thor & Loki's intentions to visit them within the next few days. Nodding in response, Pepper felt a yawn overtake her before finally, they drifted peacefully to sleep together.