Chapter 1
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.
Peter hated it. Even worse he hated himself for having it. It was one of his biggest secrets. His condition was on a need to know basis, not even Ned, his best friend, knew. Peter knew he couldn't tell anybody about it otherwise, what would they think of him. Maybe that he's weak and frail, or maybe that he's disgusting, or maybe they would be one of those people that tries to tell him that the cure to all his problems is yoga and a parasite cleanse. That's the scary part of having to tell people you don't know how they would react.
Peter moves in with the Avengers tomorrow. May has to leave for the year to go to Sweden for her job. The only problem is Peter can't go with her. When Peter originally found out that Mr. Stark was willing to let him stay at the avengers compound he was relieved. Peter knew May would never let him stay in their apartment alone for the year. Certainly not with his conditions, not at 16 at least. Honestly Peter didn't know where he would go if Mr. Stark didn't take him in. On the other hand this was his biggest nightmare.
.o0o.
Peter woke up the same way as every other day, nauseous and in pain. It was worse today because of how stressed he has been about moving in to the compound. All the thoughts racing through his head. How would he keep his condition a secret? What would he do if Mr. Stark or one of the other avengers found out? How would they react if they found out? No, no he couldn't think like this.
Peter got ready for school, said bye to May, and left for the treacherously long walk to school. The walk to school is the worst part of Peter's day. How could he spend hours patrolling, but walking to school took almost all of what little energy he had, and it was painful. By the time he got to school he was just thankful to sit down. The chairs were those cheap uncomfortable plastic chairs all schools had. They hurt to sit in, but Peter would take that over walking any day.
Peter couldn't focus in any of his classes. His head was pounding and everything hurt. He didn't know what his teacher was talking about, and right now he didn't really care. His joints ached. His wrist hurt from writing, his neck hurt from how he slept, his knees hurt from walking here just to name a few. With all that going on, how nauseous he felt, and the brain fog all put together Peter knew he wasn't getting anything done today. That was a problem for later, all Peter could focus on right now was not flaring himself up before he had to go to the compound for the first time since moving in. He had to keep his illness a secret from Tony at all costs.
When school finally ended Peter was preparing for his long walk home when he saw Happy parked out front. The first emotion Peter felt was relief that he didn't have to walk then fear raced through his veins. Happy wasn't supposed to be picking him up. Peter knew he looked like shit. It had been a long day. Peter also knew that if Happy or Tony saw him like this they would have questions that Peter didn't have the energy for right now. Peter quickly went into the bathroom. He looked at himself in the mirror, he looked like he had been hit by a bus. Peter brushed his hands through his hair, fixed his clothes up a bit, and splashed some cold water on his face. Peter still looked like shit, but this was the best he could do.
When Peter got into the car with Happy Peter was trying his best to look half decent. When Peter sat down Happy gave him a look. Peter couldn't read Happy's face, but he was glad that Happy didn't ask him any questions.
"Your aunt got an early flight, so she had to leave a couple hours ago. She asked me to come get you to grab your stuff. She said she'll call you when she lands."
"Oh, okay"
"She said you already had everything packed up, right? Cause I don't want to be waiting here forever"
"Ya it's all packed. I just have to grab a few things"
Happy looked at Peter funny again. Happy was worried, as much as he tried to hide it he cared for the kid. Peter seemed off today, he wasn't his usual bubbly self that could talk Happy's ear off. Peter was quiet. They arrived at Peter's apartment and Happy followed Peter up the stairs. Peter was confused seeing Happy follow him.
"What are you doing?"
"Well I assume you'll need help carrying your stuff"
Happy kept walking. 'Shit' Peter thought. He still had all his meds out from this morning. He couldn't let Happy see them, what would Happy even say? When they got to his apartment Peter asked Happy to wait outside for a minute.
"Why? Are you hiding something?"
"No, no my rooms just a mess, and I don't want anyone to see it"
Well it wasn't a complete lie. Peter's room was a mess.
"If I can handle Tony's messes I think I can handle ours"
"Please Happy just stay out here for a minute"
"Fine"
Happy didn't know what the kid was so embarrassed about, but he looked genuinely scared of Happy going inside. When Happy agreed to wait outside Peter went inside and shut the door. He quickly gathered up all his medication and anything else that might give away his condition. When Peter finally had it all gathered up and in his bags he started bringing his bags to the door for Happy to carry down. Peter didn't have much to bring, and he figured that if he forgot anything he could always just stop by to grab it.
When they got all the bags in the car they started their journey to the compound. Peter was winded from the stairs in his apartment, but he couldn't take the elevator. How would he explain to Happy that Queens own superhero couldn't handle a couple flights of stairs? Happy was watching Peter a little more carefully now, and Peter was scared that Happy had noticed his struggle with the stairs. Thankfully if he did Happy didn't mention it.
They got to the compound, and Happy got out to start unloading Peter's bags. When Peter got out he was greeted by Tony.
"Hey kid, come on inside. We can get you settled in your new room. Happy will bring your bags up to your room for you, right Happy?"
Happy just rolled his eyes as Tony led Peter into the compound.