I can't make it go away by making you a villain
Peter took a plane and then an Uber to get to Rhodey’s apartment. He didn’t have a key though so he just sat down in the hallway holding his backpack to his body and resting his face against it. He had taken a red eye to get here and he hadn’t slept yet. He wasn’t even sure how he had gotten them to hold the plane for him—He figured it was just the fact that his name moved a lot of barriers out of the way.
It was hours later that Rhodey actually came down the hallway frowning at the sleeping teenager in the hallway. He leaned down and ruffled the kids hair, “Pete. Wake up.”
Peter opened his eyes and Rhodey felt his frown deepen. They were bloodshot and the kid looked like he was seconds away from breaking down, “Oh. Hi.”
“Hi. You want to explain why you’re here and not home? I bet your dad is worried sick.”
“I doubt that.” Peter stood up still holding his backpack so Rhodey could unlock his door, “He just yells at me or ignores me so I came here.”
“I know it’s rough right now, Pete. I was planning to fly back in a couple of days. I was hoping you guys could make due until then.”
“We can’t.” Peter said firmly, “You know how my dad had you sign a paper saying if anything happened to him that you’d take me in?”
“Sure.”
“This is you taking me in.” Peter followed Rhodey into the apartment and into the kitchen where Rhodey started a pot of coffee.
“He meant in the case of his death.”
“He might as well be dead. I don’t know who that person is.”
“You can’t live with me, Pete. I’m going to have to bring you home. I will let you stay with me until we can fly back together though. I do need to call Tony.”
“He isn’t worried. He hasn’t texted or called me.”
“I still need to call.” Rhodey was firm on this.
~
Peter was laying on his couch that evening. He was in pajamas and Rhodey had found an extra couple blankets and pillows.
“Lights out, kiddo. It’s late.” Rhodey leaned over and brushed a kiss to the teenager’s forehead, “Night Spidey.”
“Night Uncle Rhodey. Love you.”
“Love you more.”
Peter had waited for a text from his dad. He wanted to be wrong. He wanted Tony to miss him or be worried but he had listened to Rhodey talk with him and Tony had just sounded relieved that he didn’t have to deal with Peter. Peter didn’t want to admit that this crushed him. He wasn’t going to tell anyone that he was desperate for a hug from his dad and to hear him call him by one of his many nicknames. Peter just blinked back the tears though—No use getting upset about something he couldn’t change.
~
“Do we have to?” Peter followed Rhodey up to the penthouse a few days later, “We could just leave him in the lab and not tell him we’re home.”
“No. You and your dad need to find a level of comfort around each other even if he doesn’t remember you right now.” Rhodey gave Peter’s hand a tug to follow him.
“Please. Don’t make me.” Peter pleaded and something in the kid’s eyes broke Rhodey.
“I promise I won’t let him be mean to you.” Rhodey reassured.
“Fine.” Peter grumbled the whole way though.
Tony turned around when they entered, “You’re home.”
“Yeah. He lives here.” Rhodey gave his best friend a look that he hoped said behave yourself, “But I’m here because the two of you need to come to an agreement to be kind until you remember Peter.”
“I didn’t do anything.” Peter argued behind him.
“Not true!” Tony started to argue but Rhodey held up a hand stopping them.
“You need to get along. You don’t have to like each other but you have to be polite.” Rhode was firm on this.
“Here’s a thought you do such a good job with him—“ Tony started but Rhodey held up a hand again to stop him.
“I’m not taking your kid, Tones.” Rhodey said firmly, “You love this kid more than life itself. I am pleading with you to try and remember that.”
“It’s fine.” Peter shrugged, “I don’t need him.”
“See!” Tony grinned, “He’s fine.”
“I’m going to smother you in your sleep.” Rhodey told his best friend.
“Friday, do I love this kid more than life itself as my dear friend has told me?” Tony asked his AI. An AI couldn’t not lie.
“That is correct.” Friday agreed.
Peter’s lips tilted upward toward a smile before he forced it away.
“Interesting.” Tony frowned.
“You thought the AI would disagree and prove your point. You made her Tony. You know Friday is telling the truth.”
“I need some space.” Tony told the two of them a lot more gently than he had talked with them since waking up.
~
Peter woke up to his stomach cramping badly. His forehead was sweating. This couldn’t be happening. He had to go back to school tomorrow. He winced as another wave of pain ran through him. He cried out in pain despite the fact that he tried to hold it in.
“Peter, are you alright?” Friday asked him.
“I want my dad!” Peter cried clutching his stomach, “I want my dad NOW!”
~
Tony woke up to his AI telling him Peter was requesting him in his room. You love him more than life itself. Rhodey’s words made him get out of bed and move down the hallway. He opened Peter’s door and found the kid clearly in pain clutching his stomach. He moved forward to get a better look and noticed Peter was sweating profusely, “What’s going on, Kid?”
Peter winced again, “Hurts. It hurts so bad, Dad. You’ve got to help!”
Tony sat down on the bed across from him and Peter seemingly forgetting that Tony didn’t know him reached for him in a hug. Tony stiffened in the embrace, “Where does it hurt?”
“On my right.” Peter pressed the spot that was causing the most pain.
“We need to go to the MedBay. Right now.” Tony stood up, “I think it’s your appendix!”
Peter tried to stand but whimpered in pain sitting back down.
Tony didn’t waste any time. He just scooped the kid in his arms bridal style and made his way to the MedBay.
“What’s happening, Mr. Stark?” One of the nighttime doctors asked.
“I think the kid’s appendix is about to burst.” Tony explained and the doctor was already shouting orders at other staff for help. It wasn’t long before Tony was pushed out of the room. He sat down in the lobby. He figured someone had to wait to see how the kid was. He may not know him but Friday says he loves him and Friday doesn’t make mistakes.
~
Peter woke up to beeping and the smells of hospital hitting his senses. He blinked his eyes open thankful that Friday saw fit to dim the lighting in here.
A nurse came in, “How you doing, sweetie?”
Peter took a sip of the water offered and swallowed before responding, “In pain.”
“Okay. I can talk with Bruce. Dr. Cho is out and the night staff left but Bruce was waiting for you to wake up to check on you. Do you want me to get your dad?”
“No. I want Uncle Rhodey.” Peter blinked back tears, “Tony doesn’t know who I am.”
“Okay, honey. I’ll get your uncle.”
It wasn’t long before Rhodey walked in, “Friday caught me up when I woke up. How are you feeling?”
“Hurts.” Peter winced.
“Bruce should be coming this way.” Rhodey pushed the hair out of hid eyes, “Tony’s been in the waiting room since last night. He must have fallen asleep waiting.”
“He doesn’t remember me. He just felt bad because I was in pain.” Peter shrugged, “He can go back to his lab or whatever.”
“I think maybe we let him come in. Let’s just say for arguments sake that he was worried about you. I think it would be helpful for him to see you’re okay.”
“Fine. But don’t go.” Peter grabbed his uncle’s hand.
“Friday? Can you wake your boss?”
~
Tony sat down in the chair next to Peter’s bed, “I watched a few videos that Friday pulled up for me last night. It would appear I’ve been an ass and it does seem like Rhodey is right and I care about you.”
Peter looked at Rhodey.
“Of course I’m right. You idiot.” Rhodey gave a playful shove at his friend.
“I don’t know if I’ll ever get to remember you how I knew you before but I want to try and get to know you now if that’s okay?” Tony asked Peter.
Peter again looked at Rhodey.
“Kid, this is all you. I’m going to take a walk, okay? Friday can let me know if things go south and you need me.”
“So how would I normally react to you being in the MedBay?”
Peter shrugged, “You normally pretend to be calm but you’re secretly freaked out.”
“Typical. Pretending to be okay.”
“Yeah.” Peter laughed and then felt his breath catch in pain, “I need Dr. Banner, please.”
Tony nodded, “Friday, be a dear and get Brucie in here.”
“You do that a lot you know—Use nicknames.” Peter told him, “You’ve called me by my name more than you have in a month just these past couple of weeks.”
“What’s your favorite nickname I use for you?”
“Bambino.” Peter’s face heated as he answered this question, “You always use it when I’m in pain or sick.”
Bruce walked in looking frazzled, “Sorry, Pete. Just one of those mornings. Sam twisted his ankle on his run and was being a baby about it. I hear your pain level is high?”
“Like a six.”
“Which is Peter for a 9.” Bruce teased, “I can have the nurse come give you pain meds by IV but you hate how they make you feel so if you’d rather we could try your super Tylenol instead—What do you think?
“IV.” Tony answered.
“Tylenol.” Peter said at the same time.
“Okay…” Bruce laughed, “I think we need Rhodey in here. I’d normally say Tony’s call but since he doesn’t remember being your parent I want a second opinion.”
“I’ve alerted Honey Bear.” Friday informed the room.
“It’s my body!” Peter whined.
“I hear I’m a tie breaker for something?” Rhodey walked in.
“Tylenol or IV?” Bruce asked him.
“Pete—Pain 1-10?” Rhodey asked him.
“6.”
“Bruce said that’s a nine!” Tony argued.
“Start with the Tylenol but if the kid’s pain doesn’t get better then we’ll do the IV.” Rhodey hoped he was making the right call. He was so used to Tony making these decisions and then gently calming Pete down if he didn’t agree.
“I’ll have the nurse get the meds. I’m coming to check on you in one hour.” Bruce warned the teenager, “If it’s not better then I’m switching to the IV.”
“Fine.” Peter agreed.
~
“What happened?” Bruce asked coming into the room finding Peter crying and Tony pacing as he tried to reason with the teenager.
“I told you the IV!” Tony snapped, “He’s in pain!”
“The Tylenol isn’t helping, Kiddo?” Bruce asked Peter who shook his head.
Bruce started prepping the IV right away, “Tony, He’s gotta calm down. I can’t put in an IV if he won’t sit still. Do something!”
“Me? We should get Rhodey! He knows him better!” Tony took a step back.
“No. You do! Even when you didn’t remember him you knew the IV was the right call. Somewhere inside of you you’re still his dad. You just need to trust those instincts. Now be his dad!” Bruce snapped.
Tony took a deep breath and let it out. He moved by the bed and grabbed Peter’s hand who was basically thrashing in pain, “Bambino? I know it hurts but Bruce wants to help put the IV in. You’ve gotta let him. Scoot over.”
Peter finally paused moving and scooted over. Tony climbed onto the bed next to him and Peter laid against his dad sniffling as he tried to calm down. The kid grabbed onto his shirt and it was clear that Tony would not be going anywhere anytime soon.
Bruce got the IV going and took off his gloves putting them in the trash, “He’s going to knock out soon. Just try and comfort him until he does.”
“Is this what I would have done in the past?” Tony asked his friend.
“No. You would have been five steps ahead of this. You’re nothing like your father, Tony. You’re a good dad.”
“I wish I remembered. He deserves that—To have me remember.”
“Hope isn’t lost. Maybe just stop trying to hard to forget.”
“I’m not doing this!”
“I’m just saying. Trauma blocks out memories to protect us from pain. You have a lot of painful memories on top of the good ones with Peter. It’s just a thought.
Bruce said before leaving the room.
Am I doing this? Am I forcing myself to stay in the dark? I can’t. He needs me. My bambino needs me.