Chapter 2: Aftermath

Authors Note:

I am back with another chapter! I really hope you enjoyed the first chapter! I promise things will get better for Peter. Thank you to those who have read chapter 1. I always appreciate feedback.

The next day was the funeral. It was small but Tony knew Peter wouldn't last through a long service. He was so tired from the night before and from his healing abilities working overtime. The morning went smoothly. Everything was okay as it could be until they got to the church. Tony was guiding Peter, with a firm but gentle hand on his shoulder. When Peter came inside and saw the open casket, his knees gave out from under him.

"Woah, kiddo. Easy."

Peter went pale and slowly sank to the floor. Tony was trying to stay calm not exactly sure what was happening.

"Pete, talk to me. What's wrong?"

"I-I c-can't. I- can't breathe." Pete felt all of about 3 years old sitting on the floor.

He sat there, trying to catch his breath and when he did, it came out as a dry sob. Tony and the Reverend managed to help Peter up and into one of the front pews. Tony sat with him, grounding Peter. When the service started, Tony noticed Peter eyeing his friends across the way. Peter desperately wanted the service to end so he could cling to his best friend, Ned. He hadn't seen Ned in what felt like forever. Peter did good during the service. He hardly moved an inch and for the first time in 3 days, he didn't feel emotional. In fact, he felt a little angry. He wasn't sure why, but knew he had to try to act fine. Everything was fine, at least for Peter. When the funeral was over, the kid hardly looked up or said two words even when people came up to him. If he was his normal self, he would have been outright rude and Tony would have given him a lecture, that he wouldn't forget in a hurry. He snapped out of it when Ned came over. And for a few minutes, he felt normal. Ned had made him laugh.

When they got back from the funeral, Peter felt weak. He was trying really hard to act fine, but all he felt like doing was being angry and crying. Tony got a water bottle from the fridge and sat down next to Peter on the couch. "Pete, you feeling okay? Want something to eat?"

Peter just ignored him, literally staring holes in the wall across the room. Tony was concerned that the teen didn't answer him. "Peter."

"What?" Pete snapped.

Tony raised an eyebrow but patiently responded, "I was wondering if you were okay and if you wanted to eat something."

Peter glared at Tony for a second and said, "I am fine, just tired."

"Okay, well we can watch a movie, or you can go take a nap, or whatever you would like to do."

Peter nodded. He was now angry over his aunt's death. The funeral had made it feel official. Peter hated feeling the way he did. He wanted to be alone so he could get his anger out of his system. Finally, Peter got up from the couch. He ignored Tony and Morgan who had brought out some toys, went up to his room and slammed the door. Tony rubbed his hands against his face, concerned about Peter. Pepper came and sat next to Tony. "He okay?"

"I don't know. He won't talk and when he does, he sounds upset."

Pepper nodded. "He is having a hard time. Let's give him some space. I think everything is hitting him now. He is going to need you more than ever."

"I know, Pep. Have Happy take Morgan to Rhodey's place for the rest of the week. I have a feeling Peter is going to be a handful." Pepper agreed and called Rhodes.

Meanwhile, Peter laid on his bed, sulking. He was very angry and every minute passing, he was getting angrier. He put his headphones on, desperately trying to tune out everything around him. There was a gentle knock on the door. When there was no response, Tony opened the door and peaked his head in the room. "Pete?"

Peter took his headphones off, "Oh sorry, didn't hear you."

"That's okay, bud."

Peter put his headphones back on, trying to make a point of wanting to be alone. Tony grabbed the remote to the tv in the room and played Star Wars. He was hoping Peter would come around and join him. After a half hour, Tony felt Peter lean against his shoulder, having removed his headphones, and watched Star Wars until he dozed off. When he woke again, the movie was still playing, and Tony was still there.

"Mr. Stark?"

"Hey, you feel better ?"

"Yeah, um… I am sorry for falling asleep."

"That's okay, kiddo. I know you're tired."

Peter realized he didn't feel as angry at that moment. He wanted to tell Tony how he felt, but he dismissed the idea when Tony left to bring the food that he had ordered. Tony brought the food up to Peter's room and handed him a carton of Chinese food. Peter inhaled the carton of food in about three minutes. Tony handed him another one and Peter smiled briefly. After inhaling that one just as fast, Peter decided to take a shower. At 2 a.m. Tony was suddenly awoken by the sounds of screaming and something breaking. He jumped out of bed and ran to Peter's room. He saw Peter on the floor sobbing and then noticed the mirror in his room was broken. Glass everywhere.

"Oh God, Pete! Are you okay?"

Peter was sobbing and his hand was bleeding. When Peter finally managed to open his eyes and saw his hand, he began writhing and screaming. When Peter managed to calm down only enough to stand up, Tony was going to help him to his bed. Tony planned to call Dr. Banner to get medical attention for Peter's hand. However, his plans were ruined when Peter decided to try and bolt out of the room. Tony managed to grab him around his chest and waist, just before he ran out of the room. Peter struggled trying to free himself from Tony's grip.

"Peter, you have to stay here. You are okay, bud. I've got you. You have to calm down." Tony said patiently but being semi-stern.

"Let me go!" Peter wailed.

Tony managed to get Peter to halfway sit and lay down on the floor. Tony held Peter in his arms and then put him between his legs. Tony then straddled his legs over Pete's legs so he would stop kicking.

"Let me go!" Peter wailed once more.

"I will when you have calmed down."

"I want May! Let me go!"

"Shh, I know you do. I am so sorry Peter."

"Why can't I go see her? She needs me." Peter choked out.

Tony wanted nothing more than to help Peter, but the teen was still struggling. "Peter, listen to me. We can go see her, but you need to breathe and calm down."

Peter struggled even more and desperately began trying to climb over Tony's arms and legs. He almost managed to get out of Tony's grip briefly and almost succeeded in crawling over Tony's arms and knees, but he just continued to restrain Peter. Somewhere in all that, he had ordered FRIDAY to get Bruce. When Dr. Banner made it to the room, Peter was still struggling even though he was exhausted. At least, he wasn't screaming and kicking as much. It was just crying and a few struggles and pleas to get free every now and then. Tony was exhausted and was sweating at this point. Bruce quickly helped Tony to hold Peter down. Bruce decided to give him a sedative that had been tested on Peter's metabolism. It would work faster and last longer. Finally, after what felt like eternity, Peter slumped boneless against Tony. He would be asleep for several hours. Tony thanked Bruce after he bandaged Peter's hand and quickly cleaned up the glass. It was now 3 in the morning and Tony was not going to be able to go back to sleep anytime soon. Instead, he sat next to Peter and ran his hand through Peter's curly hair. Boy, this was a rough one.