Chapter 3
Peter's POV
Peter awoke to the steady sound of a machines beeping and whirring
Nonononononononononononononono
He thought he did everything to guarantee it would work, he was certain he wouldn't wake up - he had been bleeding so much, how couldn't it. Yet here he was, alive. He couldn't even kill himself right. What kind of fuckup can't even do that?
He slowly opened his eyes, to be met with the sight of pristine bandages wrapped thickly around his sore and itchy arms.
Spidey was gonna be out of action for a while.
“Hey kiddo”
Ah shit.
“Mr Stark?” His voice came out weak and raspy, he wondered how long he had been out.
“I'm right here underoos.”
“Look” Peter began in a rushed and panicked manner. “I'm really sorry, I know it looks bad, but I swear, just please don't be mad.”
“I'm not mad,kid. I'm scared, shit I'm terrified” Tony spoke calmly, albeit for the slight quiver in his voice.
“Why?”
“Cause I care about you. Your the closest thing to a son I'm ever gonna have, and when I found you like that- I - I've never been more scared in my entire life”
Peter broke.
Sobs enveloped his entire body. Years of pent up emotions broke like a dam. He was just so tired.
“I - I just can't do think anymore”
Tony pulled Peter into a tight hug, making sure to avoid his bandaged arms.
“It's ok, I've got you kiddo, I've always got you. I know sometimes I can be pretty shitty at showing it sometimes, but I'm always gonna be here. I love you”
“I just don't wanna be a bother to everyone anymore.”
Tony slowly pulls back from the boy. Amazed by how small he suddenly looked. He's just a kid.
“Peter, you're not a bother, you've never been a bother. I know how unbearable it is, when it feels like the whole world is against you, for it to also seem like everyone you love is too, and you're dragging everyone down by still being here. But I promise you it's not true.”
Peter wasn't really sure if he believed his mentor's words. While a part of him couldn't deny that they were nice to hear. There was also the overwhelming fear that they were just words. No care was behind them, it was just Mr Stark saying what he thought Peter needed to hear.
“Mr Stark, what if it doesn't get better?”
The question took Tony aback, he simply stared at the teen, a slightly shocked expression appearing on his worry-ridden face.
“I mean, what if it just stays like this forever, and no matter what I do it just keeps getting worse, I've tried stopping and nothing has helped, what if I'm just doomed to be the person I am forever?”
“Look, I'm not gonna make false promises and say that everything is gonna work out perfectly and you're never gonna feel like shit again, I may be a genius but I can't predict the future. What I can say is that I'm not gonna give up until things get easier. It's gonna be hard, and you're gonna wanna give up at times, and I'll inevitably fuck stuff up along the way, but it'll get easier.”
Peter suddenly seemed to be aware of the tears stinging his cheeks and how heavy the bandages made his arms. The worry etched into Mr Stark's face was suddenly visible. It was like he had been falling his entire life and only just hit the ground. He didn't know if he could climb out the hole, or even if he would keep falling further, but maybe, just maybe, he could drag himself out.