Authors Note: THANK YOU for the sweet reviews! They mean so much to me! Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! Please enjoy the next chapter of Living Life as Best as Possible!

Finally, Tony and Peter both agreed it was time to go back to school. Peter returned to Midtown Science and Technology School and he definitely felt out of place. He almost wished that he could just work for SI instead. He had managed to get almost all of his assignments finished, only because Tony realized that he was doing too much other stuff. He had told Peter to take his time, but he hadn't expected Peter to practically run the business and Morgan. So, Tony stepped in and told Peter was to focus only on school and resting. At first, Peter was a little sad about it, but realized that the break was needed.

At 6 a.m., Peter was woken up to a hand rubbing his shoulder gently. "Pete, wake up. It's your first day back to school." Peter groaned, turning over to face Mr. Stark.

"Be in the kitchen in 30 minutes, okay?" Tony said patiently.

Peter nodded. At exactly 6:30, Peter was ready for school and sat down at the island. Pepper slid a plate of food over to Peter, who immediately devoured it. Tony came over and sat next to Peter, "Are you ready to go back to school? If you're not, you can go back next week."

"No, I am ready. I think." Peter stammered.

When they pulled up to the school, Peter just stared out the window with his earbuds in for a moment. He was really dreading all the looks and comments that were going to be coming his way. Thankfully, Ned walked up to the car and was by his side for most of the day. Peter's first period was English. The teacher was extremely nice and gave Peter an extension on the book assignments that were given out the week before.

Since Christmas break was coming up, teachers would be giving out ridiculously huge work packets that were to be completed. Peter was given an extension on those packets, which he was thankful for. However, he knew deep down he would attempt to complete them by the original due date. The day went smoothly until 6th period. It was his chemistry class and Flash Thompson made a derogatory comment about Peter and Mr. Stark. Peter clenched his fists. The next thing he knew, he was on the floor with a bloody nose. Great. He was in trouble on his first day back. Peter was sitting in the principal's office, waiting for Mr. Stark to get there. He was trying so hard to be good.

Tony walked in and came over to Peter. "Pete, are you okay?"

Peter didn't dare look at his guardian. So, he nodded instead. Tony gently lifted Pete's head up to look at his nose before the principle called them both in. A few minutes later, Tony came out of the office, giving Peter's shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Let's go get your stuff and have Bruce look at your nose."

"We will talk about that later. Get your backpack."

The ride to the tower was silent. Peter's nose hurt and he was trying not to cry. He wanted to cry because he was wondering how much trouble he was in. He felt bad for all the trouble he had caused Tony.

Tony guided Peter to the lab where Dr. Banner was. He looked up from where he was working. "Pete, what happened?"

Peter was to ashamed to say anything.

Tony stepped in, "Pete got into a fight at school. Can you look at his nose, make sure it's not broken?"

After a moment, Bruce said, "Well you got lucky Pete. It is not broken. It will bruise and ache for a day or two. Are you in any pain right now?"

"Yeah a bit. It's not too bad."

"Okay, I am going to give you some medicine for the pain and you need to rest. You will probably want to sleep it off." Peter nodded and winced at the shot in his arm.

Tony came over to Peter, "Okay, bud. Let's get you comfy. Where do you want- bed or couch?"

"W-Wait. Mr. Stark?"

"Yeah, Pete."

"Am I in trouble?" Tony sighed. The kid did start the punching, but Flash should have never said those things.

But before he could answer, Peter spluttered out, " I am sorry for punching him and getting in trouble on my first day back. I am really, really sorry. I won't ever do it again. I will do whatever you want and I…"

Tony held his hand up, "Peter. Take a breath. You aren't in trouble." He guided Peter to his bedroom, closing the door behind them. He helped Peter to bed. Peter was fighting to stay awake.

"Go to sleep bud. It is all going to be okay."

Peter couldn't help but sob a little.

Tony carded his hand through Pete's hair. "Pete, it's okay bud. Relax and get some sleep."

A couple of hours later, Peter woke up and made his way into the living room. Tony was watching a movie with Morgan. Pepper was working downstairs.

"Mr. Stark?" Pete called out.

Tony turned around to see Peter standing there. He looked miserable. "Hey, Pete."

Peter looked like he wanted to cry again.

"Come on bud. Let's go in here." Tony pointed to his home office. Peter sat in the chair and just sobbed. He had gotten himself all worked up over the whole thing. "Pete. I know that Flash said some things to you that were not good at all. He should have never said those things. And I know you were angry, but, Pete, you hit him first."

Peters cries escalated. "I-I know I shouldn't have hit him, Mr. Stark. M' sorry."

"I know bud. I already told you that you weren't in trouble. Calm down a little."

"I want May!" Peter said through his sobs. Tony sighed and stood Peter up, enveloping him into a tight hug. Peter cried until he couldn't anymore. Tony sat Peter back down in his chair once he was calm enough and got him a water bottle.

"Feel better?" Tony asked after giving Peter a minute to collect himself, while drinking some water.

"A little." Peter mumbled. He was absolutely miserable.

"Let's get past what happened at school, okay. I am keeping you home tomorrow. You can rest tomorrow and get some of those assignment caught up. Plus, we will be seeing a counselor in a couple of days."

Peter sniffled and groaned. "When will I ever feel normal again?"

"It takes time, Pete."

He was so tired of crying and being miserable, but he couldn't help it. He felt so ashamed for causing so much trouble. Tony tilted Pete's chin up to him gently. "Pete, what's making you so upset?"

"I-I am s-sorry for ruining y-your life. I h-have c-caused you so much t-trouble. And you have b-been so nice to me and taking me in." Peter continued, crying hard.

"I chose to take you in. You have not ruined my life in any way. You made it better, Peter. Don't ever apologize for ruining my life, because you didn't. Do you understand me?"

"Y-yes s-sir." Tony rubbed Pete's back. Tony knew the kid needed to let out his feelings.

"Pete, I want you to talk to me whenever."

"But you are so b-busy. I hate to bother you."

"Peter Parker, I am never too busy for you. I want to be there for you and help you. You have been through so much and you are only 13. We are all here for you. Don't bottle things up. Do you understand?" Tony stated in a completely serious tone, that made Peter almost flinch.

Peter nodded his understanding. Tony stood Peter up on his feet, hugged him tightly, and gave him a kiss on his forehead. God, Tony loved this kid so much!