I stayed in the hospital for another 2 weeks. I was at a private Army Hospital in New York, the one at the Avengers compound having been destroyed in the battle. I was slowly getting stronger and was able to get up and move around. I still tired quickly and there was the ever present pain, but I was improving.
Pepper had come by with Morgan and a stack of pictures that she spent over an hour showing me each one. There were drawings of the cabin Mr. Stark lived at now, and Happy and her eating secret candy together that apparently Mommy and Daddy didn't know about. She made me promise to keep it a secret too. She was definitely Mr. Starks kid. She was the only 4 year old I'd ever met that used the word extortion. Correctly I might add. I couldn't believe Mr. Stark had a 4 year old.
May was here on and off. She couldn't stop crying the first time she'd seen me awake. She'd spent the first week of my coma at my bedside. When I still hadn't woken up on the eighth day she had thrown herself into work trying to keep busy. The hospitals were flooded with patients. So many people needed help.
Chaos had ensued after the snap was undone. People had reappeared right where they had been before. In the middle of the street, in strangers homes that had moved in after them, both taking each other as intruders, and lots of other dangerous situations. She told me about one man that had been out fishing in a boat off the coast. He had barely made it back to shore, hypothermic and barely conscious when people had helped pull him from the water. She came by after work everyday. She tried to stay by my side, but I told her to go. She was needed and she wanted to help.
May was here today though bustling around the room packing up my things. I was leaving the hospital today. As soon as I'd started feeling better I'd been ready to leave. I didn't like being cooped up in here. I also didn't like the stares.
News about the battle had spread. It was on every station. How Spiderman had saved the world. I didn't like it. It wasn't just me. I'd hardly done anything in reality. It was Mr. Stark that had invented time travel and the other Avengers that had put everything on the line the bring the stones together. It was Dr. Banner's snap that actually brought everyone back. Natasha had died. And all they would talk about was Spiderman.
The hospital staff obviously knew who I was. There was no hiding it really. I'd showed up immediately after the battle with these injuries, coming through a portal with Dr. Strange and several battle worn Avengers hot on our tails. Not to mention I'd been wearing my suit. Mr. Stark assured me everyone had signed nondisclosure agreements. That didn't stop the stares.
Everyone I talked to always started looking at my eyes, but inevitably their eyes would drift to my right, taking in the scars. I couldn't really blame them since they were so prominent. I hated it, but the looks of reverie were what I really couldn't stand. There looks of sincere heartfelt gratitude were too much. More than one had paused to thank me, a few even crying. There were so many people that deserved their gratitude more than me. I was like the kid that road the bench all season, only to be put in the game at the last minute to score the final winning point and take all the glory.
I'd been texting with Ned, letting him know I was alive. I didn't tell him everything, not sure how to word it, but he knew I was recovering and safe.
So with strict instructions not to over exert myself I was allowed to leave. I was going upstate to the temporary Avengers compound that had been set up. It had a fully functioning medical wing and living quarters. That was the compromise.
Dr. Banner was there too, healing. He had faired better than me against the stones, his body better equipped to handle what had happened. It was my healing factor that had saved me, where his had been his bodies strength and durability. Mr. Stark said the others came and went and wasn't sure who else was staying there now. That others would probably come and go. Morgan and Pepper would be staying there with us as well.
May was riding with us to the hanger where we would take a Quinjet upstate to the compound. We'd both decided it would be best if she stayed here. I'd miss her, but she was needed and this was the best place for me right now.
"Alright, I think that's everything." May said zipping up my backpack. "You ready baby?"
I'd been ready for the last hour, dressed in a soft loose T-shirt, baggie sweatpants and a zippered hoodie. I'd been sitting on the edge of the bed waiting while May moved around me. Mr. Stark was out getting everything ready.
"Ya May. I'm ready." She came and sat next to me taking hold of my hand. There was an awkwardness between us that hadn't been there before. I think she felt out of her depth with me now. Didn't know how to help or how to relate to the problems I was having. She wasn't necessarily wrong, but I wished for the ease of our past relationship.
"You're sure you'll be okay up there with out me?" She asked.
"I'll be good May. Mr. Stark will be there and Dr. Banner. I just want to get out of here".
May nodded squeezing my hand a bit tighter, the awkwardness settling between us again. It didn't last long though. Mr. Stark walked through the door pushing a wheel chair. Dr. Strange had given me the all clear earlier in the day and promised to meet me upstate at some point to check up on me.
"Alright Underoos, you ready to blow this popsicle stand?"
Rolling my eyes at the nickname I nodded my head.
I still hadn't got the reaming promised from Mr. Stark. I was waiting for it though. He could yell if he wanted to. It wouldn't change the decision I'd made, or that I'd make it again. But I'd let him say his peace when the time came if it made him feel better.
"Alright bud. All aboard the moochers express." He said, gesturing toward the wheelchair.
I didn't like the idea of being wheeled out of here in it, but didn't want to spend more time here arguing about it. I also didn't know how long the walk would be to the car and honestly wasn't sure if I'd make it that far. So I settled myself into the chair with out complaint.
May grabbed my bag and followed as Mr. Stark settled behind me and started pushing me out of the room.
As soon as we exited all eyes in the vicinity locked on our small procession. I shrunk back in the chair. Pulling my hood up over my head and hiding in it as much as I could.
Mr. Starks voice came from behind me addressing them.
"I know I'm handsome and all but really no need to stare. I'm sure you all have much more important things to be doing." He said, a subtly vailed attempt to tell them to mind their own business.
I'm sure he noticed my reaction to people's stares. Ironically enough he was worse than any of them, always watching me like a hawk. I didn't mind his eyes on me so much though. Were theirs felt intrusive his felt protective.
I hid in my hood the rest of the way out of the hospital not wanting to see the rest of the stares I knew would come.
Happy was waiting for us outside the car in the underground parking garage when the doors to the elevator opened. A genuine smile spread across my face seeing him. "Hey Happy."
Happy had never been one much for emotions, but they were clear as day on his face now.
"Hey kid." He greeted back. "It's, really good to see you."
"Its really good to see you too." Happy looked like he wanted to say more, but instead gave me a feather light clap on the shoulder as he walked toward May behind me.
"Let me get that for you." He took my bag from May, ending the moment quickly.
Happy loaded my things into the trunk as Mr. Stark helped settle me into the car. He joined me in the back seat, May taking the front next to Happy. I sagged in relief as the car started moving, glad to finally be leaving.
Unfortunately the relief didn't last long. Apparently word got out where Spiderman was recovering. There was a huge mass of people waiting at the exit to the parking garage. Cameras were flashing and people were yelling. I sunk further into my seat shrinking as far into my hood as I could.
"Don't worry." Mr. Stark said, knocking lightly on the dark window with one knuckle. "No one can see us." I realized he had anticipated this.
Happy moved the car slowly away from the hospital, security having to clear a way in front of us. I couldn't understand what most of the people were yelling aside from the name Spiderman over and over. The crowd stretched all the way to the end of the block. As we moved down the street away from the hospital the crowd seemed to calm some. There were less cameras and wild yelling, and more people simply waiting there. Some had signs showing support for Spiderman that read things like 'Get well soon Spidy' and 'We love you Spiderman'.
It was overwhelming. I tore my eyes away from the window and down to my lap waiting for Happy to get us away from it all.
Mr. Stark put a hand on my shoulder squeezing gently. "Don't worry bud. All this will calm down soon. You'll be safe and away from all of it at the compound til then."
I just nodded, not wanting to think about it too hard. I'm not sure it would even matter at this point. A thought I'd desperately been pushing to the back of my mind came charging to the forefront.
I'd probably never be Spiderman again anyways. That was what hurt the most. That had me reciting what had quickly become my mantra over the last 2 weeks.
It was worth it.
ItwasworthitItwasworthitItwasworthit
And it was. But I was still trying to figure out how to let that part of me go.
The rest of the ride to the hanger was uneventful thankfully. May gave me a long hug and made me promise to call her as often as I could.
It was only a short plane ride to the compound. It was bigger than I expected being that it was only temporary while the old one was being rebuilt.
As the quinjet circled to the landing pad I got a good view out the window. There were several long buildings that were at least 3 stories high each that were positioned around a large quart yard. A large oval running track laid behind one of them with what looked like a small play ground not far from it. All around them were trees as far as you could see. Honestly it didn't look much different than the old one.
"Why not just use this as the new Avengers Compound?" I asked, turning to Mr. Stark.
He glanced up from his phone. "I suppose the old one has some." He paused, trying to choose the right word. "sentiment." He decided on.
That surprised me. I would have thought he would hate it now.
Pepper and a bouncing Morgan were there, waiting off to the side of the landing pad just under the overhang as we exited the rear of the jet.. Next to them stood Bruce Banners large green figure.
As soon as we stepped off the back of the jet little Morgan was running to us, the other 2 following at a slower pace.
Morgan ran right to her dad, arms out for a hug. Mr. Stark swung her up to his hip where she wrapped around him like a spider monkey.
"You're here! We've been waiting all day!"
"I'm sorry Mo. You know how slow Happy drives. And he is an even worse flyer." He said, throwing Happy under the bus.
"Hi Peter! I missed you!" she said, reaching her arm out for me to join their hug.
I stepped forward putting my good side up against Morgan and squeezing her close.
"Careful Morgan." Mr. Stark cautioned gently as she put her small arm around me.
"Do your owies still hurt?" she asked concerned. "Do you want me to kiss them better? That's what Mommy and Daddy do when I get hurt. It makes them all better."
I was a bit surprised by the offer, but I couldn't help but smile a little. The scars were obviously still a sensitive subject to me, but the way Morgan talked about them so casually, like they weren't a big deal put me at ease some. "Sure, that would be great." I said turning my head so she could put a light kiss to my scarred cheek while making a loud 'mmuah' sound. I imagined Mr. Stark doing this for her and couldn't help but chuckle.
"Wow Mo" I said, using the nickname I quickly picked up." It feels better already. Thank you."
She gave a quick "Your welcome" as she squirmed her way out of her dads arms and ran over to Happy, who was just exiting the plane with the bags. She motioned for Happy to bend down so he could whisper in his ear asking if he had any candy for her. He straightened with a wink and slipped her something out of his pocket that she quickly put in hers. Mr. Stark pretended not to notice, greeting his wife with a quick kiss and then a nod to Dr. Banner.
"Bruce I'd like you to meet Peter." He said, introducing us.
"Hi Dr. Banner, it's good to meet you." I wanted to reach out and shake his hand, as Ben had always taught me to do when meeting someone new, but that obviously wasn't an option. For either of us really. His arm hung at his side, scars like mine running along it. I'm sure they were still sensitive.
"It's good to meet you too Peter, please, call me Bruce. I was Dr. Banner in a different life." He said back.
"Hey! You guys match!" I heard Morgan say from beside me, having made her way back over to us with Happy. She was looking between the scars on Bruce's arm and my neck and cheek, the only visible one's on me at the moment. Everyone seemed to freeze a bit and I locked eyes with Bruce, a sort of understanding passing between us.
"Ya, we do don't we." I said, breaking the moment.
"That's cool" she said with a shrug.
"Alright Spiderling, lets get you settled inside." Mr. Stark said. Pepper reached over, taking the bags from Happy before handing them to Mr. Stark.
"Peter." Happy called as we started moving inside. I paused looking back at him.
"You've got your phone right?" I nodded.
"Okay good, you call me if you need anything okay?" I couldn't help but smile thinking back to the times when I could only reach his voicemail.
"I will Happy. Thanks."
I basked in the feeling of comfort somewhere between awake and asleep. I was slouched against something warm and soft.
Mr. Stark was quick to usher me to the couch in the living room after our arrival. I was exhausted and didn't protest. The couch was soft and inviting. I couldn't wait for my energy to return to normal so I could stay awake for more than a few hours at a time.
"Alright Morgan you wanna watch a movie with Pete while I go help mom fix us some dinner? How's Lasagna sound Pete?"
"I'm good with whatever." I answered. I would eat anything. I didn't have much of an appetite the first few days after waking up, but once it did return it was with a vengeance. My healing was still working in overtime trying to piece my body back together. That equaled a big appetite and lots of naps. Mr. Stark had made it his mission to make sure I had snacks within arms- err arm, reach at all times. Even now there was a small basket of snacks on the coffee table in front of me. Mr. Stark must have seen me eyeing them because on the way out of the room he reached down and tossed me a granola bar with a quick 'help yourself'.
Morgan had picked Moana for us to watch. I was struggling to keep my eyes open by a half hour in. It was then that Mr. Stark came back in, informing us that dinner was in the oven and settled between us on the couch with one arm slung over each of us.
That is where I found myself now. At some point I must have curled myself up against him, my head resting on his shoulder.
Mr. Stark was running his hand through my hair, gently rousing me. "Hey, Pete. Dinner's ready."
"Mmm" I mumbled, not moving away from the comfort just yet. I think this was the first time I'd been truly comfortable since I woke up.
I heard and felt Mr. Stark chuckle against my ear. "Come on bud, before the monster in your stomach comes after us." As if on cue my stomach gave a loud growl.
I turned my head into Mr. Starks chest, embarrassed, and chuckled lightly. I pulled myself into a seated position, rubbing sleep from my eyes.
"Good nap?"
I nodded, punctuating it with a yawn.
"Come on. Let's have dinner, then I'll show you your room and you can go to bed."
I glanced over at the clock on the wall. It was only 6:30 but that didn't sound like a bad idea.
Pepper and Morgan were already waiting for us at the table.
Dinner was more or less uneventful. Mr. Stark had refilled my plate several times, until I insisted I was full. I was glad they had made something that was easy to eat with one hand. I was still uncoordinated with my left, but managed to cut the lasagna with the side of my fork and get it to my mouth without making to much of a mess. I was dreading the day someone tried to give me a stake or something I needed both hands to cut up. I suppose I could just stab it with a fork and tear off pieces with my mouth like a caveman.
"I'm stuffed." Morgan announced to everyone, leaning back in her chair and patting her stomach. She had pasta sauce all over her face and a little bit in her hair.
"And a mess." Pepper said, standing from the table and starting to gather the plates. "It's bath time little mis."
"Uuuhg" Morgan groaned loudly in protest. But got up from her chair and followed Pepper out of the room.
Mr. Stark watched them go fondly before rising himself. " Come on Pete, I'll show you where your room is. I can give you a tour of the grounds tomorrow if your up for it."
"Ya, that sounds good. Does Pepper need help with the dishes?" I asked as I rose from my chair, my manners forcing me to ask even though I wasn't sure how much help I would really be at the moment.
"We've got it." He said waving me off as I followed him out of the room. The bedrooms were just down the hall off the big room I'd taken a nap in earlier.
Mr. Stark pointed out rooms along the way as we walked down the hall. "This is my room" he said pointing to the first door as we passed it, " this is Morgan's" pointing to the room across the hall. "And this is you." He opened the next door and I followed him in.
The room was much bigger than the one I had at home. There was a twin size bed with side tables, a dresser, two double doors that I assumed led to the closet, and a desk in the corner with a computer. My back pack was sitting at the foot of the bed. There was a large floor to ceiling window on the far side of the room framed by long drapes. We were on the top level of the building and you could see just over the tops of the trees that stretched for miles.
"Bathroom is through here" he said pointing to another door I hadn't noticed. "it should be fully stocked, but just let me or Friday know if you need anything. Like I said. I'm just down the hall. Don't be afraid to get me if you need to." I nodded, even though I couldn't imagine how dire a situation would have to be for me to wake Mr. Stark up out of his bed for something.
"I mean it. That's part of the deal kid. You have to tell me if something is wrong okay? Day or night." He was referring to the deal we'd made so I could leave the hospital. I'd promised to be a good little patient and not try to hide anything from anyone or over do it.
"I will." I nodded again.
"Okay bud. Get some rest. I'll see you in the morning."
"Thanks Mr. Stark. Goodnight."
Mr. Stark left the room, closing the door behind him. I went over to the bed and sat down on the edge looking out the window over the trees. The moon was just rising, giving the trees a soft silhouette. I really wanted to go take a shower, but I was so exhausted. I decided to just rest my eyes for a few minutes before I did. The bed was so soft and comfortable as I laid down, melting into it.
Soft sunlight streaming in through the windows woke me up. The sun was just peaking over the tops of the trees. I reached up and rubbed sleep from my eyes. "Good morning Peter. The time is currently 7:15 a.m. The high for today is projected to be 54°. " Friday said from above me.
Oops. I must have fallen asleep for real. There was a thick blanket over me that I knew hadn't been there when I'd fallen asleep. I was still laying on top of the comforter of the neatly made bed. Someone must have thrown it over me while I was sleeping. I sat up and stretched my legs out in front of me, stretching my body as best I could with all the aches and pains that still lingered.
Rising from the bed I decided it was time for the shower I'd never gotten to last night. I still smelled like the hospital.
I quickly gathered clothes from the fully stocked closet and made my way to the bathroom. It was sleek and everything you would expect from a billionaires bathroom. Seriously. The shower had a touch screen display.
I selected a warm setting with the gentlest water pressure it would go and slowly stripped out of my clothes, very intentionally avoiding my reflection in the mirror, before stepping in.
The gentle water felt so good. I tilted my head up, letting it run over my face and feeling it wash away the grime that the hospital shower never seem to be able to. Though that probably had more to do with the location than the actual shower.
As I washed my body I examined the scars. They were continuing to heal. Quickly by human standards. Much to slowly by mine. Maybe it was wishful thinking but it looked to me the very edges were starting to lighten in color, starting to fade. At this rate it felt like it would be years before they healed by any substantial amount. Frustrated I turned off the water and pulled a towel from the rack just outside the shower and patted myself dry. I pressed my hip against the shower wall, holding the towel in place there while I swung the towel around me, somehow managing to get it secured around my waist.
I should have been more careful, but I was frustrated. I wasn't used to the height of the lip at the bottom of the door. My toe caught it as I went to step out.
I reached out automatically to catch myself, realizing to late that I in fact no longer had an arm on that side to catch myself with. I hit the unforgiving tile hard on my right side, pain shooting up my body like fire. Every damaged sensitive nerve flared to life. The scream caught in my throat. I tried to draw in a breath but my lungs had completely ceased up. I vaguely heard Friday say something about contacting Mr. Stark, but I couldn't get a deep enough breath to tell her not to. I managed to roll onto my back and off of my injured side. Then Mr. Stark was there kneeling over me from my left side, black spots starting to blot out his worried face.
"Shit" he cursed. "Pete?" I tried to answer him, but I still wasn't able to unclench the muscles around my lungs.
"Breathe Peter, you've got to breathe." He said, panic edging in his voice. He scooped his arm under me, scraping against the already inflamed nerves and pulled me over so I was laying on my left side. Finally I managed to draw in a loud ragged breath.
"There you go. That's it. Breathe." He encouraged, rubbing my back. I managed to draw another shuddering breath, then another.
Now that my lungs were functioning again, the pain in my side pushed forward to the front of my mind. I let out a groan curling into myself.
"Just stay still for a minute Pete. Give yourself a second. Try and take some deep breaths." Mr. Stark said, still rubbing my back gently and running his fingers threw my damp hair.
"Tripped." I choked the word out, trying to explain what had happened. "Couldn't catch myself."
"Are you okay? What hurts?" Mr. Stark asked glancing down at my body, looking for visible injuries.
"M'okay. Just hurt I think. Should'a used my left arm." I said with a quirk of my lips, half-heartedly trying to make a joke. He looked so worried. I couldn't pinpoint any specific hurts, just an added general pain down most of the right side of my body.
"Ya bud. Might have worked a bit better. Do that next time." Mr. Stark said, allowing the joke. "Did you hit your head at all? Neck and back feel okay? Friday?"
"Peter did not hit his head and did not appear to have sustained any damage to his spine or neck." Friday answered for me.
"Okay. Do you want to try and sit up?" I nodded and he helped pull me up into a sitting position with an arm against my back. "Landed on my right." I explained further, my breathing still labored.
I felt his body flinch in sympathy next to me. "Are you sure nothing feels broken?"
"I don't know. I don't think so." The nerves were so screwed up on the right side of my body I honestly couldn't tell. It all just hurt.
"Okay, that's okay. Let's try and get you off the ground and over to the bed. We can try and check you out a bit better there. See if we need to go get you checked out."
"Ya, okay." I said nodding. Mr. Stark stood first then reached back down, helping me to my feet. I grabbed ahold of the towel around my waist beyond thankful that it had somehow held on. Mr. Stark grabbed the clothes that I'd set out on the counter and tucked them under his arm. We shuffle slowly over to the bed.
When we reached the side of the bed Mr. Stark stopped me from lowering myself to the edge and pulled the pants out of the stack of clothes. He nelt in front of me and held them out for me to step into in a practiced move I'm sure he's done with Morgan countless times. I felt my face get red, but used his shoulder to balance and gingerly stepped into the pants. He quickly pulled them up and over my hips, before I pulled the towel away and set it on the bed next to me as I stiffly lowered myself down.
Mr. Stark sat next to me on my right side. "Can I feel your ribs, make sure nothing is broken?" He asked. I nodded, turning my head away and clenching my jaw, bracing for the pain. "Tell me if you need me to stop okay?" I nodded again.
I felt his calloused hand gently and methodically working it's way up my ribs applying light pressure. Some parts of my skin were completely numb, and others were hyper sensitive. Underneath was all the same soreness. "Okay, I think your ribs are okay. How's your shoulder. " I shrugged my left, knowing that it had hit pretty hard, but not wanting to admit it.
Mr. Stark hesitated. "Can I?" he asked, gesturing to my shoulder. I wanted to say no, but didn't know how, so I nodded my head and braced myself again.
I felt his hand again, still gentle, lightly kneading along the bones. Past the pain it caused it felt wrong. I wanted to move away, but forced myself to sit still and let him check for damage, worried he'd make me go to the medical wing if I stopped him.
"Alright Pete." He moved his hand away from my shoulder , running it through my hair and resting it on the back of my neck. "I don't think anything is broken."
I nodded, not trusting my voice to be steady yet.
"Pete." He gave a light tug to my neck and I went willingly, turning my body and resting my forehead against his collar bone. I could feel his heart racing in his chest. I'd scared him again.
"Sorry", I apologized.
"Don't be sorry bud." He just held me for a few minutes before speaking again, both of us trying to calm back down.
"You know I tripped getting out of the shower too once, back in my uh" he paused trying to choose the right words. "partying days. I was really drunk. Gave myself a concussion. Rhodey was the one that had to peel me off the floor. I suppose I deserved the crap he gave me for it." He said with a chuckle. "It'll get better Pete."
I let out a sigh. "I know." It had to.
"You ready for some breakfast?"
"Ya" I nodded, sitting up. The soreness was worse, but I refused to lay in bed all day now.
"Okay, come on bud."
