Chapter 13

Author's Note: I know the last couple of chapters have been really depressing… I promise things will get better. I was looking through what I had already written that has not yet been posted. However, I think I am going to start fresh, so everything you will be reading from now on is new material. Enjoy!

Peter was so bored- beyond bored- if there is even such a word. It was only the second full day of being grounded, not that it was a new concept to him. Sure, he had been grounded by May several times, but this was probably the worst because he was sick. Plus, not to mention, Tony and Dr. Banner had put him under strict bed rest for four days. He thought maybe Tony would have a heart and at least let him watch a movie, but no. He was grounded and therefore couldn't do anything besides eat, stare at the ceiling, and sleep. Tony would bring him food and stay with him while he ate and even laid in bed with him to talk and stare at the ceiling.

By day three, Peter was sure he was going to die of boredom and loneliness- even though Tony would come check on him.

"Pete, how are you feeling?" Dr. Banner asked as he opened the door, with Tony following close behind.

"I am going to die of boredom." Peter said, glaring at Tony briefly.

Tony raised an eyebrow at him. "Take a nap, it will make the time go by faster."

" M not sleepy in the least." Peter said, bored almost to tears.

"Can't I just go lay on the couch in your office while you work?"

Tony and Bruce looked at each other for a moment. "No. Bedrest."

Peter rolled his eyes and groaned dramatically. Bruce checked him over and told Peter it would be good if he could take a nap. Peter reminded him once again that he was in no way tired. Bruce went back to the kitchen to talk to Tony.

"How is he?" Tony asked

"Other than dying of boredom, he seems to be doing better physically. How have the counseling appointments been going?"

"Uh- not much progress. Peter's refusing to talk about it."

Bruce rubbed his hands on his face briefly, "You are going to have to make that kid talk."

"Believe me, I have tried." Tony said sounding frustrated.

Bruce shook his head. "No, I mean make him whether he wants to or not."

"He will just blow up, get angry and run off again."

"Not unless he knows that you are here to help him through it." Bruce reminded gently.

"He knows. I tell him that a lot."

"Keep reminding him. He clearly is letting that go in one ear and out the other."

A couple of hours later, Friday had alerted them that Peter was hungry. So, Tony quickly heated up some food and made his way to Peter's room.

"Hey kiddo, I brought you food. Take a nap?" Tony asked, as he handed Peter the plate of food.

Peter nodded, still waking up. Tony let Peter eat in peace and laid down next to him getting comfortable. When Peter finished eating, he looked up at Tony with those big brown, puppy dog eyes.

"Can we please watch a movie?" Peter whined.

"Actually, I wanted to talk to you about something." Tony said.

Peter just mumbled an "oh".

"It's been several weeks since May's funeral. You need to tell me what is going on in that brain of yours." Tony patiently said.

"I don't want to." Peter mumbled, looking everywhere but at Tony.

"Peter. It isn't healthy for you to keep all that stored up in you. Do you know what Bruce told me that made you sick?"

"No. I figured it was just the flu."

"Peter, it wasn't the flu. You know you can't actually get sick anymore. He said it was stress and grief." Tony said. Gees, it was like pulling teeth to get this kid to talk.

Peter didn't say anything.

"Peter."

Nothing.

"Peter." Tony stated more firmly. "Look at me."

Peter slowly did. Tony could have sworn the kid was actually getting emotional.

"I" Tony said pointing at himself, "care about you so much. It hurts to see you in so much pain. I want you to talk to me. Open up a little. You are my kid. I don't want to see you continue living like this. Let me help you, please."

Peter stared at him for a moment and a tear slipped down his cheek.

Success, Tony thought. Finally, they were getting somewhere.

Before, Peter could say anything, Tony wrapped both arms around him. Peter finally broke. Tony wasn't really sure how long he sat there as Peter cried and cried. He let Peter cry himself out and did his best to comfort him. After a long while, Peter stopped crying.

"I- I am sorry."

Tony looked him straight in the eye, "Don't apologize for needing to cry."

"I-I just miss them so much and I-I k-know that you're my family now but…" Peter trailed off.

"But what, Peter?"

"I feel like I am betraying them." Peter mumbled.

Tony didn't say anything. He wasn't angry at all. He understood where Peter was coming from.

"Tony, I love you." Peter smiled when he said that, looking up at Tony.

Tony hugged the teen tighter with relief. "I love you too, kid, more than you know. They would want you to be happy, Pete. I am sure they would be glad to know that you were living with someone, rather than out on the streets. Don't you think?" (dang it, almost made myself cry writing this.)

Peter nodded in agreement. "It has been a huge change, but I am really happy here."

"You should be happy. Change is hard for anyone, spider-ling." Tony said, happy that he had finally gotten something out of Peter.

After a moment of silence, Peter looked up at Tony. "Since you love me so much and want me to be happy, can we watch a movie now or better yet unground me?"

Tony snorted. "I do love you but that would have to be a no on both of those."

Peter mumbled something which Tony could have sworn sounded like jerk. Oh, ho, Tony was going to get him back for that. Tony was getting ready to tickle the kid so hard, but when he looked down, Peter was sound asleep with a smile on his face.

Finally, Peter was allowed out of his bed! He was able to eat dinner with Tony, Pepper, and Morgan. He seemed to be feeling better and Tony seemed to notice a positive change in Peter's attitude and spirit. After dinner, Tony allowed Peter to start on some of the homework and assignments that he missed while being sick. He attempted to work on an essay, but it was difficult considering he hadn't exactly read the book. After getting practically nowhere with the essay, Peter closed his laptop and groaned in frustration. He laid his head down on top of his laptop and must have fallen asleep, because the next thing he knew Pepper was gently shaking him awake and sending him to bed.

Before Peter knew it, his grounding was over! Thank God- it had been the longest week of his life. That morning, Tony made Peter some breakfast and noticed Morgan come running into the kitchen. She ran straight over to Tony, putting her arms up. Tony smiled at her, picking her up, "Come here kiddo! What you doing?"

Morgan rubbed his hair playfully. "Can we go see a movie or go to the zoo? Please, daddy!"

Tony smiled. "I don't see why not. Where is your mother?"

"She in the office." Morgan stated ever so cutely.

Tony looked over at Peter, who was stuffing his face with food. "Pete? Gees, kid, slow down. Movie or zoo?"

It took a second for Peter to swallow his food. He smiled a little, "I would love to, but I have homework."

Tony rolled his eyes, "First of all, you're a genius. It won't kill you to take a break. Second, we haven't done anything together in awhile."

Morgan squirmed out of Tony's arms and went over to Peter, whispering something in his ear.

Peter laughed, "Movie then, Mr. Stark, on one condition."

Tony raised his eyebrows, "And what is that condition?"

Peter smiled and winked at Morgan, who broke into giggles. "You take us for ice cream also or you let us buy as much food at the theater as we can."

Tony was happy to see Peter smiling and being his old self, even if it was just for a little while. "How about this, you two convince Happy or Rhodey to come with us?"

Peter and Morgan looked at each other and whispered to each other for a second. "Deal, Mr. Stark." Peter said.

Peter cleared his plate. He was still tired from being sick. So, he made his way to his room. He ended up falling asleep, in the middle of looking at pictures on his phone. Tony knocked on the door softly. When there was no answer, he opened the door to see Pete sound asleep. He carefully took Pete's phone that was loose in his hand and set it aside. When he grabbed the phone, it vibrated with a text from Ned. Tony saw a picture of May, Ben, and a young Pete and Ned on his phone. He smiled but his heart broke, figuring the kid either cried himself to sleep or was just really tired. Tony debated for a moment if he should wake the kid up or let him asleep.

He gently rubbed Pete's shoulder, "Pete, time to wake up. We need to get ready to go."

Pete groaned.

"You still up to going to the movie?" Peter smiled and nodded, despite being sleepy.

Peter sat up on the edge of the bed and rubbed his eyes. Tony noticed the kid's eyes were slightly red.

"You really okay?" Tony asked.

"Yeah of course, Tony."

"Remember, we are all here for you and I love you."

"I know." Pete said, sighing.

Tony wasn't sure if he believed the kid was really okay, but he didn't want to push.

Morgan had successfully convinced Rhodey to come with them to the movie. When they got to the theater, the kids chose the movie of their choice

. While, Tony was busy paying and keeping an eye on Morgan, Rhodey pulled Peter aside for a second. As they put liquid butter into the two large bags of popcorn, Rhodey asked "How you holding up, bud?"

"Oh, I am okay."

Rhodey nodded. Tony and Morgan came over with two full trays of various treats and food.

Rhodey's eyes went big, "Tones, you expect us to eat all of that?"

Tony smiled, "Well these two" He said pointing at Peter and Morgan, "will eat most of it."

Morgan stuck her tongue out at Tony. Pete high-fived her as a result.

Tony rolled his eyes, "Alright, let's go find our seats, troublemakers."

About half-way through the movie, Rhodey nudged Tony to look at Peter who was asleep.

He leaned over to Tony, "Poor kid, he is so tired."

Tony nodded in agreement. Peter woke up startled, breathing hard. Tony went over and sat next to Peter.

He whispered, "You okay, Pete?"

"Uh yeah, I- I am okay."

The movie ended and Morgan volunteered to throw away all the trash. She went over to Tony, "Ice cream now, daddy?"

Tony noticed Peter looked pale and tired. "I don't think Pete feels good. Let's get him home and then Rhodey or Happy can take you okay?" Morgan nodded.

Peter was almost asleep when they got back to the tower. Morgan had fallen asleep too. Tony grabbed Morgan and put her on one couch. Rhodes helped Pete to the other couch. After getting the two kids settled, Tony called Bruce to come check on Peter and make sure he was still okay.

A few minutes later, Bruce came in and carefully checked Peter. Peter was in and out of dozing. When he was done, Bruce went over to Tony in the kitchen.

"He is not sick. Let him sleep. Get it out of his system."

Tony nodded, "Thanks, Bruce. I appreciate it."

A couple of hours later, Pete woke up and checked his phone. He had a text message from Ned wanting him to come over soon. Pete smiled and texted "soon". Tony made his way over and sat next to Peter.

"Did you enjoy seeing the movie?"

Pete scoffed a little, "What I saw of it, yes. I didn't mean to fall asleep."

"That's okay bud." They sat in silence for a moment. "You up for a walk?" Tony asked.

Peter gulped and nodded. They made their way outside to the garden.

"When we were at the movie, you woke up suddenly. Did you have a bad dream or something?"

Pete stared at the sky for a second, "Uh yeah but it's not a big deal."

"Well, I won't push for details, it's been awhile since you have had a nightmare, but let me know if you have another one."

"Will do." Peter said, giving a mock salute to Tony.

Tony rolled his eyes and gave Peter a quick reassuring hug and kiss on the side of his head.

"I love you, kid."

"I love you too, Dad." Peter smiled.

Author's Note: Well, this chapter was amazing to write! It was about time Peter called Tony "dad". A lot of things went on in this chapter, but I think some major issues for Peter were resolved. And don't worry- his Spiderman hero days are soon to come!