Chapter 2
Matt was worried. Well, Matt was always worried but this time was different. Matt was worried about Peter.
He was half asleep when he heard Frank enter the apartment building. He could instantly tell something was wrong when he heard Peter's shallow breathing and smelled his blood. He jumped out of bed and grabbed the first aid kit. He ran to the door and opened it just as Frank was about to break through it himself. "What happened?" asked Matt. "Some fuck with a knife got at him, that's all he managed to tell me before he passed out" Replied Frank through ragged breaths. "Bring him over here" sighed Matt. While Frank was gently laying Peter down on the couch Matt grabbed his phone and texted Claire. He could tell he wouldn't be able to treat Peter's injuries himself, based purely on how severe they sounded. The stab wound was too deep for either him or Frank to stitch up, no matter how good they thought their needlework was.
Peter opened his eyes. Everything around him was blurry. He was lying on the couch in Matt's living room. Fighting to keep his eyes open, he could just barely make out the silhouette of Frank, illuminated from behind by the dim glow of the billboard outside of Matt's window. He was dimly aware of two other people in the room but was too groggy to think too hard on who they could be. He felt a sharp pain in his side. He looked down at the source. He stopped bleeding? Someone must have stitched him up. That was nice of them. "You doing ok Pete?" It was Matt. Suddenly the world snapped into focus. Peter looked up at Matt's worried face. "Hi Matty. I'm fine don't worry." He forced a weak smile. "Hmm." Matt didn't look at all convinced. Peter pushed himself into a sitting position, grimacing at the pain as he did so. "Careful there" came a tired voice from the other side of the room. "I don't want any more damage to those ribs. " "Sorry Claire" Peter replied sheepishly. This wasn't the first time the two had met. Last time was due to an unfortunate incident involving Peter's head and a thugs metal pipe. Not fun. Especially not fun for the thug when Frank got a hold of him two days later. "Thanks for stitching me up by the way" "I don't want to have to do it again" Claire said sternly while zipping up her medical bag. "I have to get back to work. No strenuous activity for a while, that includes patrol by the way, plenty of painkillers and you should be fine." She opened the door and turned towards Peter again. "And I mean it. Absolutely no patrol for at least 3 weeks. Bye boys." She waved and left, shutting the door behind her.
"You hungry kiddo?" Asked Matt, as he walked into the bedroom. "I could eat" replied Peter. Matt re-appeared with a bundle of clothes. "Take a shower and put these on. Food will be ready by the time you get out" Peter took the clothes and thanked him. He began to walk slowly towards the bathroom when he heard Matt stopped him. "Oh and Peter" he said lowly, making sure Frank was too busy taking off his gear to hear him "no binder. Your ribs are damaged enough." Peter began to protest before Matt interrupted him. "No. Be greatful I'm not calling Tony and telling him that you wore it out on patrol." Peter sighed and nodded. "Thanks Matt." "No problem."
Pete stepped out of the bathroom. He was greatful for the hoody Matt had given him, it managed to make him the smallest bit less uncomfortable to be out of his binder. He greatfully ate the food that was left out on the counter for him. It was hot and delicious and just what he needed. He spotted bed linens set out on the end of the couch, just beside where Frank was sitting. "I don't need to stay here, I can go back to the tower." Peter said hurriedly "I wouldn't want to take the couch from Frank" "It's fine." Said Matt as he left the bedroom with an extra pillow for Peter to rest his head on. "Frank doesn't care in the slightest he has…he..he doesn't care." Frank smiled a little at that, humming in agreement. Peter raised an eyebrow but didn't press it any further. He sat down on the couch beside Frank and began to watch the old cop movie he had put on. Matt made hot coco for all three of them and joined the pair on the couch. This is where they stayed, Peter wildly recounting the action that was going on on-screen for Matt until he eventually fell asleep with his head resting on Frank's shoulder. Once the movie ended, Frank picked him up and laid him down on the couch, covering him with a blanket. Matt went to stand beside him. Frank put an arm around him and pressed a kiss to his shoulder. "He's going to be fine you know Red. He's been hurt much worse before." "I know" the smaller man replied softly "I just worry sometimes. I know it's dumb, and that it's Tony's job to worry about him but…" he sighed "He's fine." Said Frank. "Let's just go to bed. He'll still be here in the morning." "Let's hope so" said Matt, laughing a little. They went to bed, Matt a little more comforted knowing Peter was only feet away.