Chapter 3: A Long Road Ahead

Author's Note:

Happy Monday! Hope everyone has a great week! I am so glad to be putting this story out there and that y'all are enjoying it! Like I said, things will get better, but as the title says- Peter still has a long way to go.

The next morning, Tony noticed that the boy began to stir. He quickly called Bruce to come check on him. Peter's head and hand were throbbing, despite his somewhat fast healing. He could only vaguely remember the night before. When Bruce walked in, Pete gave him a quick smile. "Hey, Peter. Can I take a look at your hand? Does it hurt at all?"

Peter thought for a moment, "Yeah it hurts a bit, so does my head." Peter was confused and noticed Tony staring at him with deep concern, "Mr. Stark, I-I am sorry about last night. What did I do?"

"Well you tried to escape the room. You had a nightmare and were hysterical. You broke that mirror over there too." Tony said gently, pointing to what was once a mirror.

Peter hung his head and put his hands over his face in embarrassment. He swallowed some medicine Dr. Banner handed him. After Bruce left, Peter looked over at Tony, "I- I can't believe I did all that. I am really s-sorry, Mr. Stark."

Tony put his hand on Peter's shoulder. "It's not your fault at all. Okay?"

"M'kay."

Peter was starving! Tony left the room for a few moments after making sure Peter was really okay and that he wouldn't leave the room. He arrived a few minutes later with a large plate of some eggs and toast. He also brought a couple of packages of pop-tarts. Peter inhaled the food and drank the large glass of chocolate milk as well.

Peter moved to the couch in the living room after he got a quick shower. Morgan came over to the couch, "Hi, Peter. Can I sit with you?" Pete just nodded. Tony came over with a soda for Peter noticing that Morgan had snuggled up next to Peter. Peter was angry but he was too exhausted to show it. Tony handed Peter the remote, but he just ignored him. Instead of pointing out the boy's rudeness, Tony put a movie on and sat next to Peter. The kid that he had once known wasn't there. He seemed as though May's death had taken all of Peter and left an empty shell. Peter sat on the couch, not really noticing any of his surroundings. He only came to reality when Tony got up for a moment to order some lunch. Peter whimpered without even realizing it, when he lost contact with Tony. A few minutes later, Tony came back and sat next to Peter. He instantly seemed to perk up at the contact again and gripped onto Tony's shirt sleeve as tight as he could. Tony gave a small smile at this poor boy who needed and craved him. Peter laid his head on Tony's shoulder and the next thing he knew he was being awoken by Tony.

"Kiddo, time to wake up. Food is here."

Peter groaned. He was so comfortable and didn't want to lose that comforting feeling of contact. He heard and felt Tony sigh.

"Pete, I promise I will be right back. Think you can let go long enough to bring you some food?"

Peter nodded sleepily, not fully awake yet. When Tony moved to get up, Peter gripped tighter.

"You going to let me go? I have Thai food… your favorite." Tony pushed hoping that Peter would let go. To Tony's surprise, the teen let go and smiled.

A moment later, Tony came back over with the food. Peter seemed a little like himself. He had the remote, flipping through movie options. When Tony handed him a carton of Thai, Peter smiled and grabbed the food container in one hand. The moment Tony sat down, Peter's hand immediately grabbed his sleeve. Tony figured as long as the kid was content, he was too. The rest of the afternoon was all good until Tony was awakened by the sound of Peter screaming and crying in the night. Tony found Peter in his bed, "Pete, wake up. You are okay. It is just a bad dream. Wake up, buddy." Tony sat next to Peter, waking him up.

Peter managed to calm down some after a few minutes. "I am sorry I woke you up, Mr. Stark." Peter said with his head buried in Tony's chest.

"It is no problem, bud. Try to relax and go back to sleep." After about 15 minutes, Peter fell back asleep, as Tony gently rubbed his hand through Pete's curly hair.

The next morning, Peter was in a bad mood from the nightmare. He usually was and Tony dreaded the bomb of teenage attitude that was about to go off at any time. "Hey, Pete. Hungry?"

Peter nodded, not even looking up once. He didn't say anything at all during breakfast. Tony didn't push him to talk. After breakfast was over, Peter went to the living room and sat on the couch. He was having a hard day. He really missed May, but he didn't want to talk about it. Morgan went over to him and laid her head on his chest. Looking up with her big brown eyes, she said, "Peter, will you play with me outside?" Peter ignored her.

She continued to ask him. Tony had left the room for a moment, when he heard Morgan come running down the hallway, in tears.

He knelt beside her, "Mohuna, what's the matter?"

"P-Peter won't p-play w-with m-me. He won't t-talk t-to me." Tony sighed, giving her a kiss on the cheek. He went over to Peter who had put some earbuds in, and his eyes were closed. Peter knew Tony sat next to him, but he didn't answer. Instead, he rolled his eyes and then closed them again.

After scrutinizing Peter for a moment, Tony took the earbud out of Peter's ear. "Peter." Tony said sternly.

Peter was annoyed to say the least. He was in emotional pain and wanted to be left alone. But he couldn't seem to find the words to say that.

"Can we talk for a second, bud?"

After a small eternity, Peter paused his music and took the other earbud out. Tony set the phone and earbuds on the other side of him. Peter's eyes went wide, "Are y-you… I-I mean…"

Tony realized what he was trying to ask, "No, Peter. I am not mad. I just want your attention on our conversation."

Peter nodded.

"Peter, I think it is best if you talk about your nightmares instead of bottling them up inside."

And 3,2,1, the bomb went off. "No. I don't have to tell you anything, if I don't want to." Peter spouted, not seeming to care at all.

Tony raised his eyebrow at the bratty but grieving teenager. "I am not forcing you too, Peter. I am just giving some advice, okay?"

Peter tried to storm out of the room, but Tony caught him by the arm halfway. "Let me go, Mr. Stark! I don't want to talk to you."

After a few more protests and some pulling back, Tony managed to get Peter to the couch. Getting him to sit down was another struggle in itself. "Peter. Sit down here with me. We need to talk about this." Tony held Peter's arm firmly and attempted to get him to sit down. Peter didn't budge. After a minute or two, Tony said, "Pete, you know we are here for you and to help you, anytime. I want you to sit down now, so we can talk. It might help you to talk to me."

Finally, Peter seemed to somewhat snap out of his bad behavior. "Yes, sir. Mr. Stark. S-sorry." Peter said quietly, not looking up at his guardian.

"Sit down, Pete."

Peter obeyed and put his head in his hands. He obviously felt a little guilty for the way he had acted. He still wasn't going to say anything, but at least he was doing what he was told and not acting like a 3-year-old. Tony sighed looking at the teenager, not exactly sure what to do.

Tony wanted Peter to open up, but he knew he couldn't force it. "Peter, look at me." Peter did, a tear dripping down his cheek. Tony sighed, "Pete, just tell me what's gotten you so upset? I want to help you."

Peter bit his bottom lip nervously, wiping away a few stray tears. "I-I just miss May. I know I-I shouldn't have acted the way I did, Mr. Stark. I am sorry."

"I know, bud. It's okay." Tony was not that surprised when he heard sniffling coming from the young teen. Tony pulled Peter in for a hug and the sobs that followed was no surprise. The kid had bottled up so much grief the past day or two.

AN: Hope you enjoyed the third chapter! Peter is in desperate need of comfort and contact… I plan to post every Monday from now on.