Chapter 15: In A Blink, In A Heartbeat

With disorientated vision and an aching spine, Benjamin releases the web in his hand, painfully bearing the Stark's first aid kit close to his side as he approaches the ground. Benjamin's grace slips away as he plants his boots onto the sidewalk, causing him to trip and tumble onto his side while guarding the kit. Cursing to himself, Ben wastes no time forcing himself to his feet, terrified that he'll pass out on the street if he relaxes his exhausted body. His eyes meet a series of public restrooms, raising a brow in concern.

"Karen- you're certain this is the place? I'm standing in front of restrooms of all places-"

"Street surveillance recorded this as the Stark's last location. They entered the third stall to your right, and your senses may confirm that."

"Hmm, the rain makes it difficult to focus on scent, but there's a hint of- burnt flesh lingering in the area," Ben begins walking towards the stall, noticing the familiar scent intensify, though thankful the smell isn't coming from his chest this time. "Mrs Stark is close. Connect a call to her, would you, K? I don't want to spook them, given how tense they feel."

"Certainly, boss, connecting a call."

Benjamin places a finger against his earpiece, striding towards the restroom entrance, waiting for the call to connect before venturing too close.

"I swear if this is someone from Stark Industries-"

"Ha, I'm certain your company wouldn't give my resume the time of day, other than for security perhaps, which is quite lacking if I say so myself, but no matter-"

"Who is this?! Tell me now." Pepper's voice is fierce, fatigued, cracking and crumbling under the desperate question. "Please- can you-"

"Please, relax, Mrs Stark, I just got my ass beat defending you and many others, so- safe to say I'm not going to hurt you. It's the Huntsman speaking if you haven't figured-"

"I've figured. I'm wondering why you've called me-"

"And I'm grateful you've brought that up, you see, I can do one of two things here. Either I can squeeze this first aid kit through the door, or you can let me inside this- refuge of yours- and I can help patch you up. By all means, the choice is yours. The sooner your injuries are taken care of, the sooner I can care for mine."

"How did you know there was first aid in the car?"

"I couldn't help but overhear, with these enhanced senses and all. I apologize for the current state of your trunk, but in all sincerity, it felt good to hit that prick with it."

"I don't know if I can trust you, Huntsman. I don't know you-"

"And I understand how terrifying that can be, having heroes you know personally, being open with their identities would grow to a sense of normality. A- vigilante within itself is a frightening idea, and- I've seen the videos of me- I know you probably think I'm violent."

"I've seen them too," Pepper doesn't bother hiding the discomfort in her voice, but Ben didn't expect anything else. "You're making an impact, I cannot deny that, but it's not my place to say what should be done to horrible people- outside of the law. What you do to people- the way you break them-"

"The broken know how to break, I suppose," Ben sighs. "I do what I do so the killers, the rapists, the child predators, abusers and thugs fear ever thinking about roaming the streets again- searching for their fix of depravity. I don't always enjoy the violence, and I've never enjoyed the killing, but today it was your family or them."

Ben isn't sure if he's scaring her or reassuring her, what the fuck are social cues, after all? He only wanted to be honest with her, if she decides to let him tend to her wounds, Ben wishes for her to know who's taking care of her and her daughter. On the other side of the call, Pepper herself is unsure what to think of the Huntsman; the way he speaks so doubtlessly as if he truly believes he's the only solution to the war waging on New York's streets.

He's a complete stranger to her, recently New York's latest anomaly, and the talk of the Tower. Harley can't stop talking about his altercation with the Huntsman, the Defenders spoke about him with a mix of respect, loathing, admiration, intrigue and astonishment. Everyone is more fixated on reaching out to the Spider and having a friendly conversation with him than Nick Fury is on figuring out the Huntsman's identity.

Many of the Avengers have seen this sort of lost hatred before and know the loneliness that it bears upon the shoulders of those with an unquenchable rage and a bloodthirsty goal. It only ends with blood and tragedy, something the family of superheroes refuse to see happen again, after all...

The world has lost enough Spiders.

"I'm a stranger, but at the very least, trust that I'm no kidnapper or a child killer. I want to help," Benjamin assures, yawning as he waits for a response, blinking a few times. "Please, Mrs Stark, say- something."

"I'm just trying to figure out why you would want to help us?" Pepper questions, and through the overwhelming pitter-patter of the rain, Benjamin's hearing detects the thumping of a frightened and unsure heart. Winning her temporary trust is going to be more difficult than Ben thought. "Tell me why honestly."

Will being genuine with the most successful woman on the planet instead of giving her his usual bullshit answer may be a start? It's probably worth a shot, even if Ben hates getting all sappy and shit.

"Because- I can't help myself. When I try to sleep, if I can't hear the chaos in the city screaming out to me, or the innocent calling for help, I- I see-" Benjamin's voice shutters before falling silent, hoping she didn't hear it as he realises how close he came to talking about it again. Speaking of what the Cooperative did to him with Cole was enough to trigger some horrific nightmares of torture and training. Events he wouldn't believe were real if not for the scars littered all over the Spider's body.

Sometimes Ben wonders if there's a way for him to remember who he used to be. What holds him back? The fear of reliving everything, and worst of all, letting someone else inside of his head again; something he's not sure he'd ever be capable of doing. He can't risk losing himself, forgetting the mission or becoming weak again.

Weak like Parker.

A boy who meant the world to the woman he almost spilled his heart to.

A ridiculously stupid risk. Besides, she's probably had her turn reading about Operation Cold Arachnid, informed by Barnes, Belova and the Maximoff twins of the traditional treatment each side of the Cooperative is capable of. She probably thinks he's monstrous, too far gone, an abomination created by the most twisted minds in all time. It's no wonder she doesn't trust him to look after her daughter.

Pepper did, in fact, hear the shutter in his voice, the pain he expressed for that single second before retreating back to silence. She'd heard stories of HYDRA's evil from Tony for years. Steve didn't like to talk about the topic much, growing quick to anger speaking about what they did to Bucky. The former Winter Soldier is the opposite these days, speaking quite openly about his missions, as much as it pains him. It's Wanda and Pietro who refuse to speak of the treatment and experiments they had to go through.

In the end, Pepper remembers hearing more about the KGB during very private conversations with Natasha, who showed her vulnerable side in the rarest of moments. The idea of the Cooperative doing the very same barbaric things to the Huntsman shatters Stark to her core, splintering her further when she thinks about the possibility of Peter being the man beneath the mask. How someone could do those things to anyone, let alone a teenage Spider, is inapprehensible to her.

"I want the same thing you do, Mrs Stark, only we bring aid in different departments. Every night I'm around, the crime rate drops, and soon, what happened today will never happen again. At this moment, I'm more concerned about how your injuries will fair if not treated soon. I guess I- I want to know for certain your daughter is okay."

Pepper doesn't respond at first, allowing her light, careful footsteps to speak for her, approaching the entrance reluctantly. Benjamin slips off his fedora, placing it into his jacket before gripping the eyes of his mask, lifting and combing it back with his hands. Keeping his mouth and nose covered, Benjamin reveals his silver eyes and tied-back blonde hair, immediately feeling the breeze and rain on his face, causing the smokey makeup around his eyes to slowly run. Ben stares at the stall; his enhanced vision discerns a streak of blood along the door handle's surface before catching his reflection.

"Ugh, Karen, I told you dyeing my hair would make me look ridiculous and that this smokey eye would look a mess, but no. What do I know?" Ben grumbles in a whisper. "Told me to go blonde, told me to put an excessive amount of makeup on, told me to trim down my face, which nobody is going to fucking-"

The stall unlocks, silencing the Spider, his attention snapping towards the door instantly, waiting patiently yet nervously for the door to swing open.

"And for a moment there, I thought Mrs Stark would hear you talking to yourself," Karen giggles, hearing Ben seethe through his teeth, knowing he won't reply. "I'll be on standby. Good luck."

The stall door slowly fans out, the shaky barrel of a handgun barely peering out as someone checks the nearest blind spot, gradually moving into view. The figure, the bodyguard he'd seen earlier guarding the Starks, aims the weapon at the Huntsman, the hand on his temple retreating to the gun, holding it as firm as possible.

"Easy, big guy, easy," Benjamin talks low to the bodyguard, slowly raising his hands and holding out the first aid kit. "I swear on the lives of everyone in this city, I am not here to hurt you."

"Nope, not buying it. Please give me the kit and move on. I'm more than capable of taking care of their injuries."

"Look, I don't want to rain on your parade, but one of your pupils is dilated, so it's safe to say that the blow you took to your head did more damage than we know. The injury split the skin, but that's an easy fix. The only thing I can't mend is your ego, old boy, so if you do me a small favour and ignore the bruises, then I can be some real help."

"I'm quite capable of taking care of us, thanks," Happy snarls, cocking the handgun. "I won't ask you again."

"See what I mean? Being Tony Stark's chauffeur has rubbed off on you. Look, I don't doubt you're capable for a second, big guy, but considering you're in deep need of some rest, you could probably use all the help you can get. So instead of aiming that thing at me and straining that melon of yours further, let me take care of it," Benjamin offers with sincerity, taking a slow step towards Happy.

The bodyguard stares at the ground for a couple of seconds, eyes fluttering before darting back to the Huntsman. Benjamin glares with narrow eyes, breathing sharply as horrific pain pulsates through his spine, adding to his impatience.

"Okay, I'll treat you like a toddler then. One. Two-"

"What are you-"

"Two and a half-

"Fine!" Happy lets out a huff, dropping the weapon as he steps aside, sighing in faint relief. "Jesus Christ, you're an impatient bastard."

"I've got places to be and criminals to break," Benjamin huffs, squeezing past the bodyguard and entering the stall, holding the first aid ahead of him. "Ugh, I need a cigarette."

He immediately sees Mrs Stark and her daughter sitting on one of the parents' room arrays of seats, the little girl beside her, holding onto her mother's good arm for dear life. Their eyes are immediately set on him, with the little one quaking in fear at first sight of the Huntsman standing near the door. The Spider then notices a change in expression, her head tilting in fascination as the girl's little eyes flick to and from each of his own. As if the little girl wants to ask a million questions about them.

He doesn't doubt it.

The little one turns to her mother, whispering a question she didn't think he'd hear.

"Mama, is he wearing makeup?"

Pepper lets out a soft giggle, clearing her throat. "I- I think so, Morgs."

"That's kinda cool," Morgan whispers back, turning back to him. "Your makeup looks-"

"Messy?"

"A little bit."

"Well, I think it's a shame you can't help me fix it," Ben snickers, trying to calm her nerves. "I bet you'd do an amazing job-"

He raises the kit upwards, leaving it in plain sight. "-I promise I'm not going to hurt you, little one. I brought some bandaids for everyone."

"I'm not sure bandaids will help Mama," Morgan looks back at her mother. Ben's worried she's going to pull her neck from turning her head so much. Pepper kisses her daughter's forehead, whispering reassurances to her daughter.

"Honey, the Huntsman is only joking, but I promise he's telling the truth, he's not going to hurt us," Happy says as he re-enters the stall, side-eyeing Benjamin as the Spider walks to Stark and her daughter, kneeling and placing the kit on the ground. "Think you can make this quick?"

"I think you should sit down before you pull something, old man," Benjamin growls as he unclips the kit, opening it and revealing the contents. "Alright, who first?"

"Morgan."

"Pepper-"

"No, you heard me. I've had worse, and you know that," Pepper responds, glaring at the Spider in a cold sweat. "Please, Huntsman, treat my daughter first."

"You're certain you can hold out?" The Huntsman questions her, narrowed eyes evaluating the extent of the handprint-shaped burn with Karen's assistance. Shaking his head, he reaches into the kit, retrieving a bottle of painkillers and holding it out. "On second thought, Mr Hogan? Do you think you can manage to give Mrs Stark some pain relief while I tend to her daughter?"

"I said-"

"I know what you said, Mrs Stark, but I'm not letting you suffer in the meantime," Ben states sternly. "Mr Hogan?"

"Yeah, yeah, I can do that. I don't have brain damage, you know?" Happy huffs, rolling his eyes as he snatches the bottle from Ben's hold.

"Oh? Could've fooled me," Benjamin mutters under his breath, clearing his thought. "Thank you, but after I insist you rest your head, but not your eyes, understood?"

"I was a boxer, kid, and I understand the impacts of a concussion."

"Well, I'm a soldier and a vigilante, currently with a fracture to my spine, so frankly?" The Spider turns to face the bodyguard, his silver eyes glowing brighter. "The less you argue with me, the longer my patience will last. Now, give Mrs Stark slow sips of water, and rest your big head. Now, lucky for both of you," Benjamin kneels in front of the frightened young girl, assessing her and discovering two minor injuries. "Little Miss only has a grazed knee, and this little thing here-" he slowly and gently traces an outline around a small cut near Morgan's eyebrow. "But I'm going to make it all better, alright? Like it never happened. It'll be like magic. Is that okay with you, little Stark?"

The little girl's eyes dart to her mother's, her grasp tightening around her mother's forearm.

"It's okay, Morgan. It may sting when he cleans your cuts, but the Huntsman will be gentle, and I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere," Pepper soothes, kissing her daughter's cheek as he holds out her pinky finger. "Pinky promise."

"Yes- yes, it's okay, Mr Huntsman."

"You can call me Ben, little one," the Huntsman withdraws some alcohol swabs, dry swabs and bandages from the kit as he focuses on Morgan's knee. "Now, where'd this bump come from, hmm?"

"I slipped when I was running with Mama and Uncle Happy. I tried to run as fast as I could, but-"

"But, little Stark?" Benjamin prys gently, tearing open an alcohol swab.

"I have little legs," Morgan sighs, hanging her head in embarrassment, meeting Ben's eyes when she hears him chuckle lightly.

"Yes, you do, little- is it okay if I call you Morgan?"

"That depends?"

"On?"

"If you tell me about your eyes?" Benjamin cocks his eyebrow playfully, smiling beneath the facemask. "I've never seen eyes like yours before."

The way this quirky, curious and sweet little girl stares with such fearless intrigue- Ben couldn't help but feel a strange and warm sensation in his chest.

His normally uncompromising vigilance had seemed to wash away in the rain outside.

The reverberation of chaos and violence in the city, within his mind, becomes faint.

He doesn't know why, but he can't fight it-

He felt at peace when he was around the Starks, their presence gliding a ripple of tranquillity he never believed he could feel.

The echoes of the past are a bitch of a thing.

Is he growing attached to them? No, no, that's foolish of Benjamin, dangerous of him-

Weak of him to do.

And yet, he can't exactly keep Morgan Stark hanging, can he?

No.

He supposes not and sucks up his pride.

"Honestly, Morgan, neither have I- oh? Did you hear that? It sounds like I'll have you tell you all I know about them. Why don't I do that while I take care of your knee and patch the cut near your eyebrow, it will sting a little, okay? Only because I'm cleaning away all the dirt and grime, but the sooner it's done, the sooner I can help your-"

Excruciating pain shutters through the Spider's body, driven by a jolt from his fractured spine, causing Benjamin to hiss in pain, and provoking Morgan to jump in surprise. With the severe pain, he can barely keep himself from throwing up, clenching his shaking fists as the Spider attempts to hide his distress. Though, with haltered focus, Ben is unsure if he succeeds, shaking hands steadying as he slowly adjusts his posture, his back crunching as he does.

"Jesus, kid, we're not the only ones who need attention-"

"Yuck, that was gross!" Morgan shrieks, tilting her head in concern at the Huntsman. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, Morgan, I'm- I'm fine, my back is healing, that's all. I may have to speed up the process a bit for my back's sake. So, how about I make you a little compromise?" Benjamin's finger reach a small control located beneath his brace, pushing the command to release the tight fit from his wrist. Slipping the brace from his arm, the Spider holds it out to the young girl, caressing the cracked screen containing his AI, something-someone, he's unsure he can lose. "While I take care of everyone, my friend can explain everything you want to know. Please, don't drop her."

"Her?" Morgan coos, watching the screen flicker red, a red, blue-eyed woman shimmering onto the glass, standing with her hands by her sides. "Woah."

"Hello, Morgan, my name is Kay, Ben's AI," Benjamin is thankful Karen didn't use her real name, considering Happy or Pepper may recognise Tony's creation. "I couldn't help but overhear you're curious about Ben's eyes?"

"Yes! They're so cool, almost as cool as you!" Morgan coos with excitement, looking at the Spider begins disinfecting the scrape near her eyebrow, her eyes flinching slightly in response. "Oops, I don't mean-"

"It's okay, Morgan, I actually agree with you, she's very cool," Ben teases his AI, hearing her let out a small huff.

"All of Ben's senses are heightened, meaning he can see, smell, hear, taste and feel much more than a regular person. His eyes, in particular, can adapt to see in the dark, as well as see fairly long distances. The silver glow is a byproduct of his Spider DNA, as spiders' eyes reflect silver in contact with light," Karen explains happily, hoping she was able to explain well enough for little Stark to understand.

"Does that mean you can hear my heart?!" Morgan asks with wide eyes. Ben nods in return, a smirk beneath his mouthpiece.

"I can, and yours is beating very fast, I hope I'm not scaring you."

"No! Your suit feels slimy and weird, but you're not scary, not to me," Morgan promises, staring up at her lethal protector with her innocent doe eyes.

"I'm glad."

Pepper sees the glint in his eyes as he does, knowing the Huntsman is genuinely content with her daughter's passionate questions and rambling. Pepper's just glad her Morgster hasn't even noticed the bandage Ben slowly wraps over her knee, tying it gently once he's finished. As her eagerness continues to boil over, Pepper watches curiously as the Huntsman is able to place a small band-aid over Morgan's eyebrow without a single fuss.

There are few who can do that.

"You can see in the dark too! That is so damn cool-"

"Morgan-" Pepper scolds lightly.

"Sorry, Mama! Kay?"

"Yes, little Stark?" Karen addresses softly.

"What do you know about dinosaurs?"

With Morgan now occupied throwing all manner of questions at Karen, Benjamin is able to veer away from the little Stark, delicately ruffling her long hair as he does. Shifting in front of Pepper, the Spider withdraws an ice pack from the first aid kit, tossing it over his shoulder.

"Think fast, boxer-brain," Ben turns to face Happy, who fumbled the pack, but thankfully didn't drop it. "You did give Mrs Stark the pain relief, right?"

"Of course, I did, kid."

"Stop calling me that," Ben berates the man, nonchalantly flipping him the bird out of Morgan's view. "Has the pain relief kicked in yet?"

"Not yet, but it will, and it's strong so I can't take more," Pepper sighs through pained whimpers, clenching her eyes shut. "The pain's a lot to bear right now."

"What can I do?" Ben examines the handprint-shaped burn on her arm.

"There's an ointment for the burns in the kit, it'll numb the area as it kills any bacteria, but- it's quite- uncomfortable for the first couple minutes," Pepper admits, naturally reluctant given the ambush her family just went through. More so, Pepper is awestruck by the level of care the Huntsman is going through to ensure they're okay.

"I have- an idea, but you'll have to trust me a little more," Ben states, soft eyes gazing into Stark's before looking away.

When he first entered the parents' room, Pepper noticed the Huntsman has only met anyone's eyes for more than a few seconds, with the exception of Happy. His interactions with the latter tell her he's far more comfortable around women and children than he is with men.

Ben also doesn't seem to like being in enclosed spaces with people. In spite of the actuality that he's the only one in the room capable of breaking every bone in someone's body, or literally tearing someone into pieces.

She's even caught him looking back at Morgan's Uncle every ten seconds or so, despite the spider-sense she doesn't doubt he shares with MJ, Miles and-

God, Pepper needs to remember to learn the name of the other Spider those two hang around.

She doesn't show it, but his constant alertness, the way his distinctly young, yet wearied eyes would widen negligibly every time Happy would move, hurt her to see.

It all but confirms her suspicions.

The big bad Huntsman, despite what he does and will continue to do, he's really a frightened young man, opposing the chaos by enforcing violence and fear.

It makes her wonder- perhaps he's channelling his own fears? Using everything he went through as a weapon to reflect upon those who fall prey to him.

All in all, she wishes this young man, the Huntsman, Ben, didn't have to do any of this in the first place.

Ultimately, he's saving and aiding people, she's even read a report of the Huntsman tearing through an entire riot to escort a mother and child to their home. Regarding what the Cooperative probably put him through, it's a miracle he wants to help in the first place.

"I'm still learning, but I can- mesmerise people, in a way, influence their minds-" he notices Pepper shift uncomfortably at the notion. "-it's why I've been avoiding eye contact. Didn't want to accidentally use that ability on any of you, the little one most of all-" Ben motions to Morgan, giggling contently at Karen as she quietly sings her favourite lullaby. He then turns back to Happy. "-this one, on the other hand, I could mesmerise to stop looking at me like I'm going to combust when I say the wrong word."

"You're real funny, you know that?"

"I didn't, but appreciate the compliment, pal," Ben retorts, smirking beneath his mask as he looks back at Mrs Stark. "I could- try to distract your mind while I apply the ointment, I'm not sure if it'll work, but- it's worth a shot, right? I can't read minds, I promise, and thank god, to be honest."

"Okay," Pepper sighs, almost in relief. "Yeah, if it helps me ignore the pain?"

"I will give it my all."

Pepper's shoulders sag in relief, the authenticity of his words alleviating any remnants of her doubts. Yet, as the Huntsman inches sits beside her, inching slightly closer with the ointment in hand, a question can't help but creep into her mind.

"What you did today for us, for my daughter, you did so without so much as a second thought-"

"I did not need a second thought-"

"Then I want to know, what did it take for you to decide to help us? To protect us like- almost like we were your own."

"I decided in a blink-" Ben blinks on queue, the silver glow of his eyes shining brighter, slowly reeling Pepper into a trance. "-in a heartbeat, and I would do it all over again if it meant all of you get to go home."

Pepper has no words, completely dumbfounded by the Huntsman's words.

It sparks something in her mind, staring at Ben's broken eyes, seeing the weariness and uncertainty in them; the way they cling onto any semblance of kindness and tenderness. Such lost eyes, struggling to hide his pain and discomfort, prioritising the comfort of others while appearing to be clueless on how to do so.

She's seen those eyes before, tormented by inescapable helplessness, at the love of her life's funeral no less.

Her thoughts tell her she's wrong, that it's pointless to think this young man pushed to the brink of depravity could be who they distastefully suspect him to be.

Yet, her withered heart feels familiarity.

She recalls May telling her Pete's parents insisted his middle name be Benjamin, an eternal reminder of Richard's love for his brother.

Benjamin Winter.

Peter Benjamin Parker.

Could it really be?

Lucky for her, he speaks before she figures out how to approach that particular thought.

"Now focus on my eyes while I speak to you, control your breathing, breath as slowly as you can, and let that heart rate relax."

Uncapping the ointment, Ben rescinds the symbiote from his left hand, revealing the human skin beneath it. He doesn't want to break Pepper from her concentration by alarming her with the slimy feeling of his suit, skin-to-skin contact will keep her mind levelled.

At least Ben assumes, grunting in annoyance at himself as he covers his palm in the burn ointment.

One, he should've done the same for Morgan.

And two, well- he's not exactly thrilled about the human contact, not because he's concerned the Starks are going to hurt him; but due to the adjustment of his senses being a complex endeavour.

He's thankful his eyes aren't confined to the darkness, adaptable to the daylight as well, as much as it pisses the Spider off not knowing how to dim the glow of his eyes completely. Ben's sense of smell has proven it can effortlessly overpower him just as easily as his hearing can, having already suffered a blown eardrum from a shotgun blast the night prior. Smoking cigarettes has been efficient in dulling his smell and taste, making the taste of stronger alcohol bearable and acidic foods bearable, at least until he gets used to both.

His sense of touch, however, has established itself as the most difficult to adjust to. Sunlight only just stopped making his skin feel like it was on fire, brick doesn't feel like razor wire anymore, and thankfully, the feeling of rain on his skin is still a soothing sensation.

Unfortunately, though, he's got a lot more work to do with that particular sense, which is why Ben is ultimately dreading the skin-to-skin contact.

Despite it being his idea.

Because, of course, it was.

That's when he bites the bullet, gently applying the treatment to the horrific burn, watching Pepper wince at the discomfort.

Best to start talking before he loses hold of her awareness.

"You are safe, Mrs Stark, as is your daughter and your dear friend. Let go of any fear you may feel, I wouldn't dare harm you, so you can relax," Ben reassures, being thorough with the burn while trying to keep the process as quick as possible. Pepper, despite the excruciation, remains locked on the Huntsman's spider eyes, listening to his words attentively, her breathing slowing and her heart rate gently lowering to a pace more pleasant to the Huntsman's hearing.

"This pain you're going through, like all pain, will pass before you realise it. The hurt you feel is nothing, as you are far stronger than you may believe. You are Pepper Stark, one of the most powerful women on the planet, one of the strongest people I've ever had the honour of meeting. Even without your suit, you fought bravely today and kept your composure when many, many others would succumb to the chaos. You overcame it, it wasn't easy, but neither is overcoming this pain and yet, it's almost over. Everything is as peaceful as the rain outside and nothing else can hurt you now, nothing else will hurt you now, I will make sure of it."

Ben feels the twitching and tautening of her muscles stop completely, a sigh of relief leaving Stark's lips.

Finally, the numbing has taken hold of her arm.

Before Ben can ask if she's okay, however, he hears a familiar sound; the soft hum of thrusters approaching from the distance, bouncing off the skyscrapers they pass. Not only that, but the loud engine of a sports bike approaches just as hastily, prompting a grunt of disappointment from the Huntsman. Ben gives Pepper and Happy a quick once-over and without a word to each of them, gingerly approaches Morgan.

Little Stark and Karen turned to face him, each of them with beautiful smiles on their face.

Not that he'd admit to thinking that.

"I am sorry, little one, but I have to go," Ben sighs, pulling the mask back over his hair and eyes like a hood. The action doesn't seem to phase little Stark in the slightest, she seems more bothered by the idea of him leaving. "Can I please have my brace back? I'll need to repair her, take care of her boo-boos."

Morgan sheepishly agrees, hesitantly handing Benjamin the brace, who slips it on without a second to lose. "Will I see you again?"

"I hope so, Morgan, I really do," Ben ruffles her hair before approaching the back window of the public restroom, effortlessly sliding it open, breaking the lock in the process. "Your Uncle Rhodey and Harley will be here in a matter of moments. I promise you're safe, little Stark, even if I'm leaving."

"Wait!" Happy calls, tossing a large bottle at the Huntsman, who effortlessly catches it, staring at the plastic cap and large needle beneath. "It's adrenaline, in case you ever get yourself in a bad spot."

"Appreciate it. It was lovely meeting you all, shame it couldn't be under more friendly circumstances. Stay safe."

And like that, the Huntsman slips through the open window, seemingly right on queue, as the three suddenly hear two suits land directly outside. As well as the screech of a motorbike's brakes as it violently pulls up.

Rhodey isn't subtle with his panicked state, ripping the door to the restroom clean off its hinges, tossing it aside and ducking to step inside. Harley, Yelena and Kate aren't far behind him.

"Are they okay?!" Kate calls out. "Talk to me, War Machine!"

"Jesus! Thank God, you're all okay! They're all okay!" The mask lifts from Rhodey's face, revealing a rare look of vulnerability and fear Happy and Pepper have seen on very few occasions. Most of which involved Tony, and the first he ever saw Morgan with a bad case of the flu. "Nobody's hurt, everyone's not bleeding out, are they-"

"We're fine, Rhodey, first aid's already been applied, Happy- he needs to get his head looked at-"

"I'm fine-"

"You're not!" Pepper argues. "You took a hell of a hit, so you're going to get an MRI and Catscan, understood?"

"Yes, ma'am," Happy salutes, looking at Harley in his Ironlad suit. "You wanna say something?"

"Nah, for once, old man, I'd say you've been through enough for one day. That, and you're still grumpy, so at least we know no screws have been knocked loose."

"Shut up, kid."

"Sure thing."

"Yeah, you guys are definitely fine if you're arguing like this," Yelena snickers, hiding her sigh of relief from the others as she picks up Morgan. "You okay, pumpkin?"

"I'm okay, Aunt Lena! I just wanna go home."

"We're taking you home, sweet pea, don't you worry your pretty little head," Kate agrees, kissing the back of Morgan's head, eyes meeting Yelena's for a short moment before looking away, embarrassed. "Who took care of you?"

"Oh, Ben did."

"Ben?" Harley questions. "The Huntsman?!"

"Yes," Morgan coos, turning to her mother. "Mama?"

"Yes, baby?"

"Was that Petey?" Morgan asks, so innocently, yet, she's deadly serious, and the questions take the words from everyone's mouths.

"I don't know, baby, I don't know."