"I... I think I'm gonna... pass out..." Peter squeezed out through gritted teeth. "M'so anxious..." He collapsed into Tony's arms.
"Okay, okay... Holy shit, kid. Okay, I got you. I've got you... shhh..." Tony gently rocked the boy in his arms, planting gentle kisses on his forehead.
"You're alright. You're alright, buddy. I got you..." Tony stroked the boy's hair, saw his red, sweating face, sticking his hair to his forehead.
"Okay, darlin'... Someone get him a damp washcloth from the bathroom please." Tony addressed the other Avengers in the room, looking like deers caught in headlights. They suddenly all dashed into action, Bruce running off to fetch supplies.
Peter was whimpering sadly, heart wrenching sounds that sent chills through Tony's blood. He remembers feeling the same way as a child and he would not let Peter end up how Tony did. He wouldn't. He couldn't!
Peter wasn't going to grow up to only be able to cope with life if he had a glass in his hand, the only way to forget to be to fuck any random girl he found and act like it meant something. It didn't. He felt bad for those girls; they had lives too, but for Tony it was all he had left. The steady beat of the thrusts and the fact that during sex he needed one single script, helped him to forget. He liked the rhythm and rules. It gave him a good name too.
Peter was still lying in Tony's arms, breathing unevenly as his eyes drooped further and further, clearly panicking that he was about to pass out.
"Okay bub, stay with me a sec... c'mon, one more minute, you can do that buddy..." Tony whispered, rubbing his thumb on the boy's shaking shoulder.
"Mm'cant." Peter gritted out.
Tony's eyes widened in fear just as Bruce came back. He handed a washcloth, a glass of water, some anxiety pills and Peter's inhaler to Tony rather haphazardly.
Tony just nodded in thanks and got to work, pressing the cool washcloth onto Peters neck and forehead.
Peter moaned peacefully.
"Is this okay bud?" Tony asked but he knew the answer from how relieved the boy looked. Tony smiled slightly and carried on.
"M'chest." Peter said.
"What was that bubs?" Tony was confused as Peter pointed to his chest.
"Want... cooled..." He whimpered.
"Okay bud. Is it okay if I take off your T-shirt?" Tony checked, and Peter's eyes darted around all the Avengers sheepishly. "Guys, I think we should leave them a moment." Steve said, reading the room as they all hurried away.
"Now?" Tony asked, and Peter nodded, peaceful. Tony grabbed Peter's shirt from the bottom, struggling to pull it over his head because Peter was barely cooperating.
"Okay, lift your arms bud. Can you do that?" And the boy moved his shaking arms above his shoulders as Tony carefully slid his sweat drenched top off.
Tony lay the washcloth on Peter's chest as it heaved, struggling to get air in.
"In and out, Roos. I've got ya."Tony soothed.
Ever so slowly, Peter's eyes drooped shut. Tony panicked, thinking he'd fainted. But then Peter opened his eyes and smirked slightly, just a tiny movement of the nerves in his face as he struggled.
"M'jus' tir'd..." He whispered, as if it hurt him to speak any louder.
"Okay. Sit up, let's get some water in you bud. C'mon..." And he pulled Peter until he was sitting up, leaning his head on Tony's chest as he cradled him protectively, holding up the glass to the boy's chapped lips.
"Slow sips. Take it easy." Tony reminds him as he gulps from the glass. "Ready for bed, darlin'?" He asks as the kid's eyes droop. All that he got in response was a gentle nod, and a slight whisper, barely able to hear...
"Thank you dad."
Tony smiled.