Trapped with No Way Out
Location: Avengers Compound
Time: 7:48am
Days in Attending: 42
Steve sighed. 5 days, it had taken them 5 days to figure out how to attack the base. It was in Utah, how they'd gotten so far was beyond him. His head was pounding in time with his heart as he watched warily as the team thought through the plan. He was sleep-deprived and frustrated. It was taking too long. None of the other rogues were even helping relieve some of his stress. Especially Bucky who had insisted on going despite Steve's pleading to stay safe. He had said the same to Natasha who had glared at him and gone one with her day. For the rest of the 3 days, she didn't spare him a glance.
"Natasha," Steve sighed as the woman walked in fully armed and suited up. He had benched a fair amount of people. This was going to be a risky mission, and he didn't need to be looking over his shoulder every few seconds.
"I'm coming," She stated accent heavier than usual. Steve fought back a wince. She hadn't spoken to him like that in years. They were past that. Or at least he thought they were. Her hair was pulled up into a tight high ponytail, her usual black leather outfit with boots. He didn't doubt the number of knives probably packed in them.
"Ok, be careful" Steve relented with a deep sigh as everyone boarded on the quinjet. Everyone being, Natasha, Bucky, Rhodey, Clint, and Bruce.
"Always am" Nat replied barely sparing him a glance or a smile and went to sit in the back with Clint. The duo had become closer over the month spent together, and Steve couldn't help but feel envy as she laid her head on his shoulder. His hand stroking her hair and giving Steve a look that said, You aren't being a very good leader.
He barely nodded sitting at the pilot seat. The jet whirled to life and before they knew it they were being lifted off the ground.
Barely 10 minutes after, the vehicle dinged letting its passengers know it was safe to stand up and walk around the quinjet. Nat was the first person up heading to the back end of the plane where food was. If it wasn't a private jet the section would've been known as first class. Steve didn't bother going back there. It was no use if Nat wasn't in the mood. Steve cringed at the memory. A moody Natasha Romanoff was not someone to be meddled with. Especially if they were heading towards a mission.
"Hey Steve," Bucky said sitting next to his friend. Steve immediately felt relaxed the usual comfort of just having an old friend nearby. He felt guilty feeling okay, being safe out here, when his genius friend was getting tortured probably down on the ground.
"Bucky," Steve said simply turning to face the man. His metal arm sparkled as the sun caught it through the plane window. Steve leaned his head against the seat. Bucky leaned his head against Steve's.
"It's going to alright" He reassured. Steve smiled, it helped a bit, but thoughts were still roaming, Imagining what it would be like when he saw Tony for the first time in a year. Would he still hate him? Would he be mad that they hadn't found him sooner? Would he completely refuse their help?
"You can never be sure," Steve all but whispered. His eyes crinkling with worry. He could see out of the corner of his eye Bucky's guilty stare. Steve remembered the nights when he had to calm his friend from violent nightmares, often waking up screaming, and wondered if he'd made the right decision. If this was what was really should have done. He thought so, but looking back, looking at where it had gotten them…
"I'm sorry, Steve," Bucky said tearing his eyes away from the man and leaning back in his seat. Immediately a wave of regret washed over him and he turned placing his hand gently on his friend's shoulder.
"it's not your fault" He assured, but somewhere deep in his heart he knew it was. He knew it was His fault for not telling Tony about his parents, Natasha's fault for betraying Tony, and Bucky. Oh god, Bucky. Would Steve be a terrible friend, if maybe a small part of him believed it was Bucky's fault? Because none of this would have happened if he'd just stayed frozen. Steve sucked in a breath at even had thought such a terrible thought.
"Thanks," Bucky said quietly, through a tightlipped mouth. Steve stood, he couldn't sit, not with- he needed some alone time.
"I'll be back, I'm going to check on Natasha" Steve lied through his teeth. He could see the flash of hurt pass through Bucky's eye. His guilt lasted mere seconds before realizing that it was human. It was human to blame other people for your own faults. He shot Bucky an apologetic glance before striding over to the back.
"Nat?" He knocked on her door. Everything around here was screaming his fault. Even the quinjet they were flying that Tony had bought, the doors with their names on them so that they could have privacy on the jet. The technology Tony had supplied them with a year ago, that they were using again. The thought that if Tony didn't live, the last memory Steve would ever have of him would be his shield going into Tony's chest.
"Come in," her Russian accent was thick. He opened the door softly, the sight surprising him. Natasha was curled up in a ball sitting on her small bed. Clint was sitting next to her rubbing her back in soothing circles. Her eyes were red and puffy, evidence of tears. He sat next to her, the bed dipping with his weight. Hesitantly he hugged her and got no resistance.
"do you regret it" she breathed. He was startled for a moment at the question before lacing his features.
"Everyday"
Location: Utah, Pleasant Grove
Time: 9:23 am
Days Trapped: 49
Peter moved his wounds protesting as he fought to gain his bearings. Chained to the chair in the middle of the room sat Tony. Blood was dripping down his nose. Knife cuts littered his arms. Osborn had done a number on him yesterday. Peter tore his eyes away from his mentor-father-figure person (they still hadn't exactly established that)
He was chained to the wall, sitting on the floor now, instead of the cot. Their cell- the ¬cell was getting colder. Osborn said he wanted to check Peter's thermoregulation. Why he hadn't tried it sooner, Peter wasn't sure. Maybe it was too risky, now they had his blood. He could tell they were nearing the end of this. They took less, and less from him in the OP room. Those first few days had been unpleasant. He cringed at the memory of the bone scrapings, and blood draws. The broken bones were by far the worst. Especially when they healed wrong, and had to be rebroken for the next test.
"P'ter?" Tony said voice muffled. His black eye prominent against his pale skin.
"I'm here," Peter said getting as close as the chain would him. Close enough to almost touch the chair, but not there. Just out of reach. Peter had reason to believe this was done purposefully. To be truthful, he wasn't even sure why they were still here. It couldn't be that disclosed. According to his math at the beginning, when he was still resistant someone should have come within the first one or two weeks. Not over a month later.
"P'ter" Tony murmured again. He was incoherent.
"I'm here" The boy repeated scanning the room for an escape. He wasn't even sure what day it was. Just that since Osborn had come yesterday he couldn't be arriving today, and Tony was hanging by a threat. He tugged at the chains. So what if they were vibration. He was positive is he put enough force into it he could get out. He pulled. And pulled. And pulled. They even move.
"P'ter" Something inside Peter snapped. Anger and frustration for being here and not being able to get them out. Maybe it was guilt for even getting them into that situation, but he knew he had to do something that could very possibly cause irreversible damage. Taking his one free hand he slammed it down hard on It wrist, biting back a scream as it broke. He tugged it out. The one was sticking out of the skin, but he didn't have time to worry about it, he could hear the alarms from outside.
He moved quickly practically yanking Tony from the chair and picking him up. They didn't have any weapons. An unconscious middle-aged man, and a weak super teen with a very broken wrist. What a fine pair. Peter sighed glancing at the door. He placed Tony gently on the ground, adrenaline pumped through him, as he rammed his shoulder against the door. Nothing. He didn't break out of the damn cuffs only to not be able to get out of the cell. He rammed his now broken shoulder against it again. It squeaked. Peter smiled. 5 more hits later and it came crashing down. Thanks, adrenaline he thought quietly hurrying back to Tony picking him up and running. He didn't know where he was trying to go. Basically, just anywhere that wasn't there. His shoulder screamed but he could think about it later. Safe, safe, safe.
A guard came running up to them, Tony was wrapped around his back. the man had a huge gun pointed right at Peter, ready to shoot. Quickly he moved Tony to the front of him whipping around so his back was to the guard, hunched over protecting Tony. There was a bang, and Peter tensed, but no pain came. Slowly he turned around. Standing there was Captain America, all fine and mightier. Peter felt like cheering and jumping, and maybe crying too, but there wasn't time for that.
"Take him," Peter said holding out the limp body to captain America, motioning towards his wrist. I had to literally break it out of the vibration cuffs. Captain America looked surprised but Peter didn't pay him any mind. Bucky came in.
"Take them to the jet" Captain America commanded his friend. Bucky nodded robotically and they ran out of the building that had held them, prisoners, for a long month and a half.
Peter snuck a peak at Tony dangling limp in Bucky's large arm-and metal one. He wondered if Tony would be mad, that his parent's murderer was carrying him to safety. Peter didn't think so. He glanced at the man. Tony looked vulnerable, Tony looked small, and it was then as he walked and his wrist screamed in pain that he realized he would do anything for Tony, because Tony was his father, and he needed to live through this.
When they finally boke out into the daylight Peter's eyes burned, and watered. The sun hurt his skin, and his spider-sense stood on edge. Everything hurt, yet he couldn't be happier. When he took a long break of fresh air as opposed to the damp, humid air in the prison. The grass underneath his scratched feet. The dirt in between his toes. Is this what Rapunzel felt like? It was a random, yet understandable thought. The feeling of being outside and free for the first time. It started blurring around the edges. Adrenaline crash his mind supplied. He cursed as the world faded out and the last thing he heard was the thump of his body into the grass.
Location: Utah, Pleasant Grove
Time: 10:15
Days In Attendance: 42
Bucky trudged forward. Tony was in his arms, and 2 words were running around his head, repeating over and over again like a mantra. Protect them. Protect them. Protect them. Because that was the only thing Bucky knew how to do. When Steve saved him the world came crashing down. Reality hit him like a train. He had to adjust, and more importantly, accept what had happened. There were times when he wanted to – dare he say – die. Not like that of course, he wouldn't. He just wished that he had died a hero, and now he was living a villain.
"Almost there" he muttered to no one. Until he heard a soft thump from behind him. In half a second his gun was poised Tony carefully out of view readying for an attack. He glanced at the now unconscious kid. "Shoot, damn it"
Bucky fritted around for a minute. His thoughts scrambled as he tried to think of what to do. He couldn't carry the two of them. Peter was small, yes, but Tony needed support, there was no telling what his injuries were, and couldn't be moved too much. Hence why peter was walking. Bucky turned on his coms, brown hair swishing in the light breeze.
"I need help" He said sternly, not rudely though, just loud enough to get the attention of at least one of them. Surprisingly it was Natasha who answered, she sounded out of breath. They weren't on the best terms, he could tell by the frustrated looks she gave him from time to time, and the angry glares she shot his way when Steve fretted over him.
"On my way" She huffed. He could hear the wind blowing past her.
"Okay," He said awkwardly looking around. Once again he was useless. Why couldn't he get anything right? Suddenly dark thoughts were entering his mind, swirling around like a whirlpool of madness. A mad hatter he thought.
The boy on the ground groaned blinking a few times. Bucky didn't know his name. He liked a lot like Stark though. The same unruly brown hair, stern yet kind eyes. There was no cold in them though. The knowing was there though. That was what Bucky had named it. The knowing of hard things that you shouldn't know. Loss, much beyond that of an average human.
When he glanced up again Natasha was running out from behind the tree. He pointed towards the curly-haired child. Natasha nodded picking him up with great care. Even though she didn't have any super strength she was a huge asset. A much needed one too.
"Thanks" He mumbled, and he thought he heard a small your welcome. When he turned around her eyes were darting around, always on edge for danger. The knowing look was prominent as ever on her slim, yet graceful features.
They trudged the rest of the way to the quinjet and Steve joined them with Rhodey not long after carrying Peter. Clint was rounding up the people for shield. That was his extraction plan. When they got there Natasha went to the back as she usually did, not without giving Steve something. A flash drive may be, Bucky didn't really care.
"dad" Bucky's head shot over towards the voice. It was small. The boy's eyes were open looking around frantically afraid. Steve was holding him down trying to calm the boy down. This only made the boy struggle more, Natasha couldn't find the sedatives. He was enhanced, they didn't want to under-dose him or overdose him.
"Let me," Bucky said suddenly. He mentally cursed himself but Steve moved out of the way anyway. His hands still weighing down on Peter's arms, being cautious of the broken shoulder and arm.
"Hey kid," Bucky said awkwardly. Peter stopped looking at him, inspecting the arm. Recognition flashed through his eyes.
"Metal arm dude," He said in awe his eyes were glazed over and he was losing a lot of blood. At least he was calm now. They could help him out. Bruce walked out. He preferred to stay in the back most of the time. Apparently people pissed him off. He had gotten back during the time when Tony was kidnapped.
"Hi Peter," Bruce said once there was no risk of Peter going crazy, or Bruce becoming a huge rage monster.
"Woahh" The loopy voice said. He was in shock. He wouldn't remember this when he woke up for real "You're Bruce Banner"
"Yeah I'm the Hu-"
"Most amazing scientist of our time" Bucky saw Natasha bite back a laugh her eyes glancing at Tony.
"He'll love to hear that" She laughed. She looked brighter than she did in a long time, sitting by Tony.
Peter winced trying to sit up onto to be forced back down by not-so-gentle Captain America arms. Bucky watched his friend apologize weakly. Bruce gave him a look when Peter cried out.
"You can let up, Cap," Bruce said. He'd heard about the break-up. The breakup caused by Bucky. Bruce wasn't a fan of either side. Claiming to stay "Switzerland". Whatever that meant. Stupid missing out on modern terms.
Steve let go and Bruce walked to stand above Peter. His white coat was gone, leaving the scientist in only his infamous purple shirt. "hi Peter" He said gently. Tears were leaking out of Peter's eyes. F.R.I.D.A.Y is scanning Tony" He motioned towards the other man, "we don't know of his injuries yet"
Peter nodded. Okay. Bucky held Peter's hand, Peter didn't stop him. "I'm just going to feel around ok? I want to see how broken your wrist and shoulder are." Another nod. Bruce grabbed scissors being sure to show and tell Peter what he was going to do every step of the way.
"I'm going to cut open your shirt, so I don't have to jostle your arm okay? Nod so I know you understand"
Peter nodded. Bruce nodded back and began. Peter was tense, and Bucky was sure that if he didn't have a vibration arm then Peter would have crushed it. Good thing his good (new) arm was still at the compound.
Once the shirt was gone Bucky could barely hold back his gasp. Peter's shoulder was a bruised and bloody mess. Bruce held a portable x-ray over the kid. Apparently, it was something Bruce had invented over the past month. He wanted to be prepared to stake out any injuries the two had when they were rescued.
"This looks bad" Bruce hissed in sympathy. He glanced at the boy's apology written all over his face. "It's broken in 4 places, and your healing slowly enough that I won't have to rebreak it until we get to the compound. Did you lose any of your powers when you were in captivity"
Peter considered this for a moment. "I was a bit weaker" He croaked before clearing his throat. Despite the knowing look in Peter's eyes, his voice was innocent. His behavior was innocent. This boy was stronger than all of them combined. "Adrenaline helped me break the door open though"
"and this was your first escape?"
"No, it was our 9th. I just- Osborn wasn't going to be here, and Tony- Osborn did- I wasn't sure if he was going to make it. The experiments were slowing down, they were going to kill us soon, but I don't want to die."
Bruce nodded writing notes down on his clipboard that had seemingly materialized out of nowhere. "What made this time different" Bucky was wondering the same thing. If Peter got out this time, why did he make it so far. After 8 previous tries, surely he could've made it out sooner.
"They were going to kill him" Peter murmured, "If we tried to escape again, but I knew that if I died escaping at least I- At least I was trying"
Natasha walked over them standing over the boy. Her eyes held empathy, sympathy, and compassion rolled into one. "I'm sorry we didn't save you sooner"
Peter didn't say anything because before they could fully comprehend what was happening his eyes were rolling to the back of his head.
Location: Medbay
Time: 9:12am
Days safe: 4
Peter woke with a start jerking awake screams on the tip of his tongue. Tony wasn't in the room, and there was something going up his nose he yanked it out jumping to his feet. He needed Tony. He didn't even remember getting here.
"Peter?" A woman came rushing in. She looked familiar but Peter didn't get a good look at her because he was already hurrying past her and out into the hallway. It was pristine from top to bottom, why? He wasn't sure. Why would Osborn keep him in such a place? Maybe he wants Peter to feel comfortable as he takes his last breaths? His side hurt and his arm and shoulder were burning, but he didn't care. He had to find Tony. They had to get safe. Safe. Safe. Safe.
"Peter?" Tony was sitting up in his bed. A similar tube going up against his nose, people were around him. Peter's heart jumped as he hurried to Tony, shoving the people away hands posed above web-shooters that weren't there.
"Guess we're doing this the hard way," Peter thought getting into a defense position. Another man ran in then, his eyes held fear, and he had a metal arm. Peter stood up straighter. "Bucky?"
"Kid" Bucky sounded relieved. His exhale more relaxed that his heart rate was going. Yes, Peter could hear that.
"What?" Realization dawned on Peter. The escape, breaking his wrist. Everything. He felt his face flush as he looked down at the floor in embarrassment. He should've remembered. He's spiderman for goodness shakes.
"Sorry" He whispered. "are the people okay?" Bucky just wrapped him in a hug. It felt nice, and Peter didn't both feeling guilty for the comfort. One he hadn't felt in a while. Not since…
"It's ok, peter. They're fine." Bucky said patting him on his good shoulder before going over and pulling up a chair next to Tony's bed. Peter shot him an appreciative look and sat in it holding Tony's hand. He looked relaxed, happy, content. Peter didn't. He felt paranoid, he felt like he was still there.
"Hey," Peter said to the billionaire who smiled gently at his protégé.
"Hi Peter" a pause, "Thanks for saving me"
"No problem" Why was it awkward? It was never this awkward. Pepper came in then relieving Peter of the small talk that was sure to come. Her eyes were happy.
"Tears for your long lost Fiancé" Tony asked her. She smiled.
"Tears of joy," She said, "I hate dating"
They laughed holding hands. Their eyes locked on each other as Pepper bent down to place a kiss on his lips. Peter could practically see the love radiating from their connected faces.
"Okay that's enough" Bucky laughed and so did Pepper. Tony even smiled at the man who smiled back. It was bright and friendly. Clearly, they'd talked some.
"How long was I out," Peter asked trying to think back. Tony winced.
"5 days"
"That's not that bad," Peter said weighing down what he thought. He'd been out long before, this was nothing compared to the 2 weeks he was unconscious after homecoming.
"Yeah" Tony agreed, his eyelids lowered and Peter could tell he was fighting unconsciousness.
Another lady walked in, the same one he'd pushed back earlier. Getting a closer look he realized it was Dr. Cho. She'd often looked after him after some of his patrol incidents.
"Sorry" He apologized.
"It's all good." She gave him a kind look. Not like Dr. Hias though, genuinely kind.
"I think I should leave" Peter whispered looking over at Tony. Cho nodded motioning towards the wheelchair she'd brought. He huffed but sat in it none the less.
That night he had 6 nightmares.
2 weeks later he admitted to being broken.
A/N: There's going to be one more chapter about our Spider's recovery so stay tuned and review! 😊 thanks!
