It could've gone unspoken - even though Steve called the team together for what ended up being a five hour meeting - that everyone needed to keep a close eye on Peter. Despite what Sam and the teen's therapist said about residual effects of trauma and flashbacks caused by PTSD, the team could clearly tell something was wrong.
Friday's security, as well as the modified infrared cameras were picking up odd disturbances throughout the tower on a near daily basis. S.I workers were also beginning to notice irregularities throughout their day to day activities. Prompting Tony and Steve to send the employees home before nightfall, when the unknown creature seemed to be more active.
Even Pepper noticed when she stopped by for a brief visit to give Tony some papers to sign and discuss vacation days for her and her husband Happy.
"Morning Tony." Came the chipper voice of Pepper Potts. "I brought some papers for you to sign," she called as she set two large files on the hall table beside the elevator, "I need these by tomorrow. And, in case you forgot, Happy and I are taking off for our anniversary this coming summer."
As one of the only civilians with access to the avengers private common rooms, she often made brief appearances in regards to Stark Industries - since Tony wasn't very fond of paperwork or business meetings - or to check in with the team and her nephew. No one else besides Happy had the clearance to enter any avenger floor.
"Tony?" Pepper walked further and entered into the large living room. Upon realizing it was empty she moved onto the kitchen. There, she found the billionaire perched at the kitchen island with a large mug filled, presumably, with coffee. She called his name again. "Tony."
"Wha-" The billionaire jolted, causing the coffee mug to fall to the floor. "Oh, hey Pep." After regaining his composure he ran his hand down his face tiredly, dark circles clearly evident in the early morning sun.
"Are you okay? It looks like you haven't slept in days." Her voice held nothing but concern.
"I haven't."
"But- I don't understand. You've been doing so well; less coffee, sleeping at least seven hours an-"
"Well obviously not!" His outburst came out louder than he'd planned, causing Pepper to jump. He immediately felt guilty, his wings drooping. "Shit. I'm sorry. That… I didn't mean to yell. It's just… this past month has been… weird."
Pepper took a seat across from Tony. "Okay, so what exactly is going on? The only other times you've been this shaken is if-"
"Peter is involved, yeah." Tony nodded. Anyone who knew the billionaire, knew that nothing was more precious to him than his son.
"So what's going on?" She immediately began making a mental list of what meetings and trips she needed to reschedule in order to stay in New York. She would do anything for Peter. "Is there anything I can do? I'm sure I-"
"No, it's okay." Tony managed a small smile, his friend's determination lightening his mood slightly. Peter truly was the center of their makeshift family. "I know you care and you want to help, but so far we've got things under control." She didn't seem entirely convinced but nodded for him to continue. "Almost a month ago Peter started getting nightmares, more than usual. He's… not sleeping much… or eating enough and he's losing weight. His spider sense is constantly going off so he can't relax. Something is bothering him." He took a deep breath. "And we know… we know it's hydra."
"What!" Her eyebrows shot up. "But you guys wiped out the remaining followers when you rescued Peter. There's nothing left of Hydra."
"It's a monster that hydra set free. Something from another dimension." He tapped his watch two times and a hologram popped up, showing live video footage of the penthouse and multiple other avenger floors. "I set up infrared cameras to hopefully catch something we were missing. So far, I haven't actually seen it; not fully anyway. Just brief glimpses of a blurry figure that manages to somehow avoid the camera. Seemingly melting into the walls." Tony pushed another button and the images on the hologram changed. "This was two nights ago. Keep an eye on the right side of the screen."
The image showed the penthouse living room. The fading light of the sunset cast shadows upon the walls and illuminated the small form passed out on loveseat. Nothing abnormal caught the eye of the CEO. Until the wall to the right of the loveseat began to move. Or warp, Pepper didn't know how to describe it. The wall was moving as if someone or something was pushing on it from the inside. Like something was trying to escape. Peter's image jolted upright just as two large, non-human hand prints became visible against the muted grey paint. But as soon as Steve came charging into the room, the hands pulled back, disappearing without the slightest chip in the paint.
Pepper rubbed the goosebumps on her arms. "Holy shit."
"I know." With a flick of his wrist the hologram closed. "Someone is with Peter at all times. We take turns sleeping, eating and what not, try to go about our normal business. But that thing seems to follow Peter everywhere he goes."
"It looked like it was reaching for him." Her voice dropped to a hoarse whisper. "It's after him."
"Yeah, it is. But we're going to catch it and-"
"Boss." Friday interrupted. "There's something on floor three. Multiple workers have sighted something rather unusual."
Tony was up in an instant. Pepper right beside him as they entered the elevator and pushed the down button. "Your cameras catch anything?"
"My cameras seem to have captured something. What appears to be a large unknown entity has run past one of the conference rooms, it's figure noticed through the glass wall."
"Well then," he flexed his fingers, the nanotech gauntlet charging up, "let's go check it out."
"Uncle Bruce?" Peter tilted his head back to look up at his uncle he was leaning against. They were currently on the common room floor, talking about science and watching TV.
"Friday, pause the movie." The movie - one of Peter's favorites, the Hobbit - paused and Bruce turned to face his nephew. He couldn't help but smile fondly at the sight of Peter's adorable sleep missed hair, reaching out to tussle it gently. "What can I do for ya Pete?"
The teen leaned into the affectionate touch, causing the scientist to chuckle. "Do you know when uncle Rhodey and aunt Tasha are coming home?" He pulled the blanket he had draped over his legs up higher. Being part spider he lacked the ability to thermoregulate, being very skinny didn't help either.
Bruce noticed the slight tremors racking the teen's thin frame and pulled him closer. Tucking Peter underneath his arm and holding him close. "Their mission went well, so they should be home by Thursday."
"I'm glad everything went well. But I wish they'd get home sooner."
"Me too." Bruce nodded. "It's tough when certain missions run longer than expected."
"It's just… I don't like when we can't all go. I like to help out with missions. And they usually go a lot faster when all, or at least most of us go." He sighed. "But I know that some missions don't require everyone."
"You really are such a big help. As Spider-Man and as Peter Stark-Rogers." He tapped Peter's nose. "Now, I would love it if you ate something." At Peter's uneasy look he continued. "Come on Pete. You can't afford to skip any meals. But you've barely been eating what a normal person would eat."
"Okay. I'll try." Peter was generally very easy going and he absolutely hated to worry or bother his family. But his hunger fled when he was angry, sad or if his anxiety spiked.
Bruce draped his arm across his nephew's shoulders as they walked to the kitchen. "That's all I can ask for."
Tony and Pepper split up once they reached the third floor. Pepper - under the billionaire's instruction - was to evacuate the entire tower; keeping all scientists, secretaries, managers, security, maintenance workers and any other employees home until further notice. Herself and Happy included.
After a quick interrogation of the business managers - whose meeting was interrupted by a literal alien - Tony sent them home. Once they were gone he walked up and down the hallway; scanning his surroundings. The video footage showed something running. Something with long arms and legs.
"Okay." Tony ground out. "I'm getting really pissed off." His voice steadily grew louder until he was yelling. "I don't care what you are, where you came from or what you're doing here. But you better stop messing with my kid!"
An animalistic snarl echoed down the hall. Followed by heavy breathing and light, deliberate footsteps.
Tony spun around on his heels, wings flared, gauntlet up and ready to fire. "Alright bitch, let's go." He was going to kill this thing.