Chapter Four
“Stop what you’re doing!” Tony shouted, throwing his hands in the air. “Everyone stop what you’re doing and come here.”
Natasha ignored him, continuing to spray down the inside of the recently emptied display case. Bruce and Steve pushed through the kitchen door, both of them sweaty and covered in ingredients. Clint pulled his curtain back and flipped off the radio, but didn’t descend the ladder. Darcy and Peter were the only ones who obeyed Tony’s command.
Tony, oblivious to the fact that no one was paying attention, continued, “Pack up your shit and make yourselves presentable. I’m rewarding your hard work by taking you all out to dinner. We’re leaving in an hour! Interns, too.”
“Thanks, Tony, but I can’t,” Peter said. “I’ve got a lab tonight that I can’t miss. I was just getting ready to leave.”
Tony’s shoulders drooped a little. “Oh, come on, Peter! Just take one night off.”
Steve put his hand on Tony’s shoulder. “Tony, don’t encourage him to skip class. If it’s something he needs to do, you should support it, not try to talk him out of it.”
Tony grumbled but let it go.
“You bailing, too, Darce?” Clint asked from the balcony.
Darcy slung her bag over her shoulder. “Yeah. I’m driving Parker to his class and then I’m meeting some friends downtown.”
Tony sighed dramatically. “Anyone else want to crush my hopes and dreams? Clint, you seem to enjoy that.”
“Not tonight. I’m starving,” Clint said over his shoulder, starting down the ladder.
Darcy and Peter said their goodbyes and pushed out the front door together.
“Do you want to borrow my car tomorrow for your date?” Darcy asked, holding the door for Peter.
Peter shook his head, a long suffering, “why me” sort of motion. Darcy clapped him on the shoulder and dropped the door, cutting off what she said next.
Clint watched them through the front window. “Poor kid.”
“I can’t believe you challenged Natasha to a spaghetti eating contest! What a fucking idiot!” Clint crowed.
Tony shoved him away, moaning. “Leave me alone. Let me die in peace.”
Natasha punched him in the shoulder. “Man up, Stark. You’ll feel better in a block or two.”
“Steve, please carry me,” Tony begged. “I will love you forever.”
“You love me anyway,” Steve pointed out, slipping an arm around Tony.
He rested his head on Steve’s shoulder. “Bless you, my hero.”
Clint covered his ears. “Enough of your sappy shit, already! God, when is this honeymoon phase going to wear off? It’s been three years!”
Natasha looped her arm through his. “Leave them alone, Clint. It’s cute.”
They walked silently for a few minutes, taking in the sights and sounds of the city nightlife. The sidewalks were bustling and the bright lights of the storefronts spilled out into the streets, merging with the headlights of traffic. A crowd of teenage girls stumbled out of a clothing boutique, laughing loudly. They turned toward the group of bakery workers, who paired off and moved to the side to let them pass. Clint and Natasha took the lead, with Steve and Tony behind them, and Bruce and Loki bringing up the rear. This was comfortable for them, being together, but alone all the same. The walked on, blissfully ignorant of the rest of the world.
Until Clint tripped over a familiar backpack. He caught himself on the wall and stooped to examine the bag.
“What’s up, Clint?” Natasha asked, concerned.
Clint studied the bag, trying to place it. “I’m not-“
“UHNG!”
“Get up, fag!”
Clint stood quickly, realization hitting him head on. He sprinted down the alley to his left, leaving the rest of the group to stumble along behind him. Ahead, he could just barely make out a handful of dark forms, all crowded around a huddled figure on the concrete, kicking the living daylights out of it. Clint sped up, starting to shout.
“Hey! Get the fuck away from him! Stop it!” he slammed into the first guy, forcing him to the ground.
He was up in an instant, jacking another guy in the jaw and connecting with another’s nose, sending him sprawling against the wall. At this point, Steve and Natasha were by his side, and the three of them formed a protective circle around the heap of battered flesh passed out on the ground. The bullies all scrambled to their feet and took off down the alley, where they were met by Tony, Loki, and Bruce.
Clint dropped to his knees and gingerly rolled the body onto his back. “Dammit, Parker. Why’d you have to go to the lab?”
Natasha knelt next to him. “Careful. He’s definitely got some broken ribs.”
Peter moaned quietly as Natasha gently pressed her fingertips against his sides. She held him still while Clint checked for other broken bones or deep wounds. When he finished, Steve carefully lifted Peter off the dirty ground and cradled him in his arms, carrying him out of the alley and into the cab Tony had flagged down. Tony slid into the backseat next to Steve, pulling Peter’s legs onto his lap. He scooted closer to Steve and patted Peter’s ankle.
“You’ll be okay, kiddo. I promise,” Tony murmured.
Peter opened his eyes slowly, blinking hard at the harsh lights above him. He groaned and moved to sit up, immediately regretting his decision and sinking back against the pillow. He swallowed hard to keep from shouting or crying. There was the swooshing sound of a curtain being pulled back and he was surrounded by faces.
“Hey, kiddo,” Tony smiled uncertainly. “How are you feeling?”
Peter squeezed his eyes shut. “What happened?”
“What do you remember?” Clint asked.
Peter sighed. “Being pulled into an alley by a bunch of boneheads. And then I heard you. But I also remember flying elephants and cocaine covered flowers, so that could’ve been a dream.”
“How are you feeling, Peter?” Natasha repeated.
“Sore,” he admitted. “But I’m fine. Thanks, guys. Hey, you didn’t call-“
“PARKER!”
Peter’s stomach dropped. He turned his head to the side.
“Hey, Wade. How’s it going?” Peter asked casually.
Wade crossed his arms. “What happened?”
“How did you know-“ Peter glanced around.
“I’m your emergency contact, boy genius. You live alone in the city. You’re one of the clumsiest, most accident-prone kids I’ve ever met. You were bound to end up at a hospital at some point. When the nurse at admissions ran your name, they found my number and called me,” Wade explained.
Peter nodded slowly, letting this sink in. “You put yourself down as my emergency contact?”
“Don’t change the subject. What happened?” Wade demanded.
Peter reddened. “Nothing, I’m fine.”
Wade shot him a look. “You have three broken ribs, a sprained wrist, and you’ve got bruises everywhere. Did you get hit by a bus?”
Tony cleared his throat. “Actually he was attacked in an alley.”
Wade’s jaw dropped. “Wh- Are you fucking kidding me? Peter, why the hell were you in an alley?”
“I wasn’t, I was on the street. I got dragged into the alley,” Peter clarified.
Wade threw his hands up. “Oh, okay, that’s much better. Who hurt you, Peter? Who were they?”
Though Wade had asked the question, Peter could sense that everyone was watching him, waiting for his answer. He hesitated, looking down at his hands. His left hand was dwarfed by the thick white bandaging around his wrist. His ribs stung even when he was still, and he had scratches and bruises up and down both arms. He could feel a cut throbbing on his lip and his jaw ached. An icy hand touched his shoulder, jerking him out of his thoughts. Peter looked up at Loki, whose eyes flashed.
“Tell us, child,” he prodded.
Peter swallowed. “I-I don’t know. It was dark and there were a lot of them. I don’t know who they were.”
Loki’s fingers tightened on his shoulder for a second. Peter winced, waiting for Loki to call him out on his lie. It never came, though. Loki let go of Peter and stalked out of the room, knocking the curtain aside angrily and nearly colliding with the doctor trying to enter the room.
“Mr. Parker, I’m glad to see you’re awake. I’m Dr. Hall. How are you feeling?” The doctor shone a penlight in Peter’s eyes.
Peter flinched away from the light. “I feel fine.”
“Good, good. How are those ribs doing? Are you experiencing any pain?” Dr. Hall examined the bruises on Peter’s arms.
“Not really,” Peter lied.
Steve shot him a sharp look.
Dr. Hall looked doubtful. He turned toward the visitors. “If I could ask you all to step into the hall for a few moments so I can finish my examination?”
“Of course,” Steve nodded, herding everyone toward the door.
Natasha shot Peter a look that told him he was going to be fine. Peter smiled gratefully. Wade was the last to leave, lingering by the door until everyone else had passed. He winked at Peter and pulled the door closed behind him.
Dr. Hall cleared his throat. “Now, Peter, you need to be honest. I saw what you looked like when you came in here a few hours ago. You have multiple broken ribs and a sprained wrist. So how about we try that again. How are you feeling?”
“A little sore, I guess. My ribs don’t hurt that much,” Peter admitted.
Dr. Hall raised his eyebrows. “Oh? Why don’t you sit up for me?”
Peter braced himself, gritting his teeth and pushed his body into a sitting position. It felt like his body was going to explode and it hurt to breathe. He forced a smile and gestured to his body.
“See, Doc? Just fine,” he panted.
Dr. Hall shook his head. “Okay, here’s the deal Peter. If you swear to me that you’ll stay off your feet and take it easy for a week, I’ll let you go home today. None of your ribs were broken too badly, so relieving the stress put on them for a little while should help them heal up quickly. We’ll give you a brace for your wrist, and I want you to wear it all the time this week. I want you to come back here in a week, and I’ll make sure you’re healing correctly. Deal?”
“Deal,” Peter agreed quickly.
Dr. Hall gestured towards the hall. “You want them let back in?”
“Yeah,” Peter nodded.
Dr. Hall opened the door and ushered everyone inside. “I’ve decided to release Peter today. As soon as he gets his ribs rewrapped and gets his wrist brace, he’s free to go. He’ll need to take it easy for the next week or so, and come back to see me next Thursday. Which one of you lives with him?”
There was a long pause of dead silence. Dr. Hall glanced around from face to face.
“We do,” Steve said suddenly, pointing between himself and Tony.
Peter’s jaw dropped. Tony looked surprised, but quickly rearranged his features to cover it.
Dr. Hall continued on, ignoring the odd looks everyone was giving Steve. “Peter is going to be needing quite a bit of help. I’ll prescribe him some pain medication and an antibiotic for all of his cuts and scrapes, just in case. You’ll need to help him wrap his ribs, as well. They need to be kept bound as long as they can, to keep them from healing incorrectly. Can you handle that?”
“Absolutely,” Steve assured the doctor.
Dr. Hall gave them a few more instructions about completing paper work and left. Peter lay back down slowly, biting back a groan. Wade dropped into the chair next to him.
“Parker, how the hell did you convince that doctor to let you go?” Wade asked suspiciously. “You should be locked up in a hospital room for a month.”
“I think that’s a little extensive, Wade,” Peter muttered.
Out in the hall, there was a sudden, loud commotion. Someone was shouting, a woman from the sounds of it. They could hear stiletto heels clacking unevenly on the linoleum. Peter’s door burst open and Darcy braced herself against the frame. She had obviously gotten the call while she was at a bar. Her hair was messy and she was missing a jacket. She wobbled over to Peter’s bed and planted her hands on the mattress, careful not to touch him.
“Are y’okay, Bambi? I came a’soon as I heard. Wha the fuck happened?” Darcy slurred quietly.
Peter patted Darcy’s hand reassuringly. “I’m fine, Darcy. Who called you?”
“Loki,” Darcy looked at Peter like he was losing his mind. “Duh. By the way, tha guy looks so pissed. He’s gonna kill s’mbody.”
Steve tensed and hurried out of the room, off to find Loki before he lost it and started slaughtering people.
Darcy looked around, spotting Wade. “Hey! ‘Is Wade, guys! Hey, Wade. Lookin’ good.”
Wade flashed her a smile. “Did you swallow a liquor store?”
“Yep,” Darcy wagged her finger at him. “Y’know me so well, Wade.”
“Aren’t you cold, Darcy? You didn’t walk here did you?” Peter asked worriedly.
Darcy waved him off. “Oh, relax, I’m fine.”
“You’re wearing a tank top,” Peter argued.
“You’re wearing a dress!” Darcy yelled back.
Clint grabbed Darcy’s shoulder. “Hey, Darce, let’s go get some coffee, okay?”
Darcy glared at Clint. “If this is a trick, I’n gonna kick your ass.”
Natasha hooked her arm through Darcy’s. “Don’t worry, I’ve got your back.”
“Girl power!” Darcy yelled, thrusting one fist in the air and almost punching Clint in the process.
A few hours later, Peter was in the back of a cab between Tony and Steve, groggy from the dose of pain medication they’d given him before he left the hospital. His head bobbed involuntarily, falling back against the seat and jerking forward. His eyes drooped closed, and he didn’t have the strength to force them back open. Tony chuckled, watching Peter. Steve draped his arm across the back of the seat. Peter listed to the side, falling against Steve. The cab was filled with the light sounds of his snores. Tony patted Steve’s hand where it rested against his shoulder and shot him a smile. The cab slowed and drew even with the curb.
The cabbie turned back toward them, keeping his voice low. “You guys need help getting the kid inside?”
Steve smiled gratefully. “Thank you, but we can manage.”
The cabbie returned his smile. “He reminds me of my kid. Same crazy hair.”
Tony offered the cabbie a handful of bills before opening the door and holding it for Steve. Steve carefully picked Peter up, holding him against his chest to keep from waking him. There was no danger of that. Peter was out like a light, and it didn’t look like he’d be waking up any time soon.
Tony raced ahead of him to open the door of their small house, nearly tripping over the steps that led up to the porch. Tony held the door and flipped on the lights as he went. They brought Peter up to the guest bedroom and Steve laid him down carefully. Tony grabbed an extra blanket from the dresser and spread it over Peter’s sleeping form. He dragged an arm chair next to the night table and collapsed into it.
“Are you going to stay here all day, Tony?” Steve asked, leaning over the back of the chair.
Tony shrugged. “I don’t want him to wake up in a place he doesn’t recognize. I’ve done that before. It’s not fun, and it’s kind of scary.”
Steve rubbed Tony’s shoulders. “You should get some sleep, Tony. Peter’ll be out for a while.”
“I will in a little bit. I’ll just stay here a few minutes later,” Tony mumbled.
Steve kissed Tony’s cheek. “Whatever you say. I’m going to run over to the bakery for a couple of hours. We’ve got a huge order that we can’t put off. I’ll get back as soon as I can.”
Tony watched him go, unashamedly checking out his ass. He sighed and propped his feet on the edge of the bed. Peter mumbled in his sleep, his mouth falling open.