Pig Skin
Tony had the car packed up and ready to go, Tony wanted to take the quinjet so they could get there faster, but Peter insisted on an old fashioned roadtrip. He couldn't resist those damn bambi eyes. There were a lot of bags in the car and Peter had two extra, one for all his medications and another that stored the food that goes into his G tube. Tony set up the entire back of the SUV with blankets and pillows so Peter could sleep on the way. Rhodey was coming with and was going to sit in the middle with Morgan, as per her request.
All he had to do now was get all the occupants to get inside the vehicle. Which sounded pretty on paper.
"Alright let's load up!" Tony slapped the wall he was standing next to.
Pepper was struggling to get Morgan's shoes on, she was kicking her feet making it impossible, "Yeah maybe if you can hold your daughter down."
"Eh- I don't like holding my kids down." Tony trudged over and held Morgan's legs so they were stock still. "There, alright lets go!"
"Wait!" Pepper interrupted the group, "bathroom first."
"Right, yeah no. I knew that. Potty time," Tony patted Rhodey's chest. "That means you too princess."
"I already went darling," Rhodey was copying Tony's tone.
After everyone used the toilets they were finally walking out the door, "Pete, lets hussle."
"I'm going as fast as I can," Peter said angrily. He really was. He was putting on his stupid backpack that he had to take everywhere for his pump and he may have put some books and stuff in the other pocket for easy access. Doing that wasn't a smart move because it was weighing him down. His muscle mass still wasn't back yet and it probably wouldn't be for a while. He couldn't complain much, he wasn't stuck in a hospital bed unable to sit up so he was doing amazing right now.
"Here, let me." Tony held has hand out to take the bag, Peter shrugged and handed it to him. It was aching his shoulders. "Geez, what do you have in this? Bricks."
"Yeah, and I put some metals just for fun." Peter got into the elevator with the rest of his family. Tony tagging behind, because of course when he was the first one ready to go, he was the last to get in. It made sense.
They were finally on the road, Tony had the urge to blast some rock music, but Pepper was having a conversation with Rhodey and it would drown them out. He'd rather not get chewed out by Pepper as they were only 10 minutes into the drive.
"Why don't you ask her out? We could even do a double date."
"Double date with platypus? No way am I doing that Pepper."
"Oh come on Tony, it would be fun. Give us a chance to spend some time away from the kids," She was giving Tony a look. God he loved that look, too bad he was driving, otherwise he'd be staring at her all day like that.
"Jesus, get a room. There are kids back here."
"They're asleep," Pepper said at the same time Tony inquired, "Yeah, you."
"I'm not asleep mommy."
"Oh," Pepper said in surprise. "You just listening in?"
"Uh-huh, Rhodey doesn't want to draw with me!" Morgan folded her hands in her lap.
"What? You never asked. I'll draw with you squirt," Rhodey started digging through her coloring books.
Tony let out a laugh, "That's how she gets you Rhodey. You fell for it."
Rhodey looked at Tony in utter shock and then gave the same look at Morgan who was cheesing so hard. "It's a good thing I like you."
"Everyboddyyy does!"
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An hour in and Peter woke up for a little, it was still pretty early in the morning so he was probably going to rest some more.
"Dad! I gotta pee!" Tony eyed Peter through the back view mirror.
"Pete, I told you to go to the bathroom before we left the house."
"Pleeassee."
"Just hold it," Tony grumbled.
Pepper swatted his arm, "find a restroom Tony."
"Oh- I don't really have to go I was just tryna see his reaction and how mad he could get. Honestly he butchered my expectations, thought he'd be angrier."
"Really Roo? You're the death of me. You're grounded."
Peter put some headphones in, "Kay." His favorite thing is annoying Tony. He wanted to test his limits if he was being honest because at this point he was pretty sure he could get away with anything. Well almost anything. Anything but Spider-man stuff.
The rest of the journey to Clint's house was normal. Peter loved when things went normal. They stopped to sight see twice, there were a lot of bathroom breaks, thanks Morgan. They didn't stop for any meals, because Pepper insisted on homemade sandwiches and snacks, which Peter was thankful for.
Peter had heard about Clint's house before, being in the middle of nowhere land surrounded purely by grass and then some trees in the distance. It was interestingly weird to see in person after hearing about it for so long.
As the Starks pulled up, Clint and his kids ran out of the house to greet them. This was Peter's first time seeing Clint in a domestic setting, it was actually really nice. It felt like when he saw Tony with Morgan for the first time. Just relaxing.
Peter was waiting for Rhodey to get out of the vehicle, so he didn't have to climb over Morgan's booster seat. Such a hassle. As Peter went to climb out, he felt his stomache rise. He had been doing so good. What the hell happened? He sat heavily onto the chair that Rhodey had occupied for the entire trip and focused on breathing through his nose. He was pinching his wrist tightly.
"Oh, Roo," Tony walked over and rubbed his hand up and down Peter's back. He was always able to tell what was wrong with his kid. If he was pinching his wrist or breathing through his nose, he was nauseous. If his eyes were screwed up tight, he was in pain. If he was tired he usually hung his mouth open slightly without notice.
Peter pushed Tony's hand away, he didn't want this. Not here, "I'm good. I'm fine!" Peter pushed past Tony and walked up to the house with Pepper Rhodey and Morgan, leaving Tony to the bags.
"You made it!" Clint had his arms in the air, feigning victory. "Hurry up it's cold."
It was cold and Peter thought it was cold in New York. Soon enough everyone was inside, besides Tony who was still taking things out of the car, Clint walked out with him to help in pity.
Laura and Pepper went about, talking about who knows what or cared, not Peter. Nope Peter was with Morgan and Clint's kids, just standing around in the living room. Clint's kids were around their ages, Cooper was 15, Lila 13 and Nathaniel was 4. So Morgan thankfully didn't have to bug Peter the whole time. Peter felt a sense of responsibility being the oldest and all, althought he did just turn sixteen a couple months ago.
"Hi, I'm Peter," He ventured, you know as the oldest.
"I'm cooper, this is Nathaniel," Cooper pointed to his younger brother who was hidden behind his legs.
"And I'm Lila," she was looking Peter up and down. Peter wasn't sure if it was because it was obvious that he was bald under the beanie he was wearing or if it was because of the tube that was visible. He didn't have to wait long to find out, "Where does that tube go? If you don't mind me asking?" She stammered out.
Peter looked at the floor, embarrassed. Morgan decides that it's her turn to talk, "It goes all the way into his stomache, because he doesn't eat!" Peter wanted to die right then and there. Just let the cancer consume him in that moment. "If I ever get cancer I would make sure to eat everything mommy and daddy gives me so I don't get a tube." Peter was frozen in his spot he couldn't even stop her. "He cried because he had one in his nose before, but now it's on his belly!"
Peter felt tears pricking at the corner of his eyes. He was mortified.
"Well I think it's kind of cool," Lila explained. "Sometimes I wish I could just roll out of bed without having to worry about what to have for breakfast." Lila was smooth, she knew that what Morgan said was wildly inappropriate. She could also see Peter breaking by the second.
Peter gave her an appreciative smile. His mouth felt dry and his stomache ached, but not an ache where he wanted to curl into a ball and cry. Just a dull ache. Oh- he was thirsty. God he was so thirsty.
"Uhm- can I get some water?"
"Sure, there's some bottled water in the fridge," Lila pointed to the kitchen.
"Thanks," Peter strode past Pepper and Laura and went straight for the fridge. Peter could feel Pepper's eyes on him, he swore it was burning holes into his back. He opened the door and darted his eyes around for the water, bending down to grab it and closing the fridge. Peter went to the dining table to sit with Pepper and Laura. He opened the water with enough strength that it wouldn't break the bottle and he chugged like nobodies business.
"Pete, slow down honey."
Peter spurt his water, "sorry, I'm so thirsty."
Tony and Clint walked in, winded for one and talking about making the kids go outside and do yard work. Dads.
"Hey wanna help take these bags upstairs Pep?"
"Oh, I got it dad," Peter was out of his seat and reaching for the bags in 5 seconds flat.
"Are you drinking water?" Tony said while maneuvering the lightest bag into Peter's hand.
"Yeah, I'm really thirsty, last door on the right yeah?"
"Yes, sorry I only have one guest room. I was thinking Morgan and Nathaniel can slumber it up and Peter could go with Cooper?" Clint was following Peter with two bags.
Tony was the caboose with three bags, figures. "Morgan would love that, I think she has a crush on him."
Peter opened the door and put the bag down next to a full dresser. It was really nice for a guest bedroom, a king sized mattress. Two large windows a bathroom attached and even a walk in closet. "This is nice."
"Well I'm not in the mood to unpack, I say we go play some pig skin. Is that how the dads say it?" Tony was chuckling at himself. Peter had never seen such horror in his life, it was his cue to leave the room and get back to his water. God he was parched.
"What? That is what they say. Tell him legos las," Tony smacked Clint's chest.
It was cold outside, but Clint had a bonfire planned for the evening with roasting marshmellows. Tomorrow they were going to prepare the food and celebrate Thanksgiving. Currently everyone was outside, Clint sent his two oldest to go fetch some cut up wood that was down by their shed. Peter didn't put up a fight saying that he could help. No, he was content to keep Morgan and Nathaniel entertained. Apparently Clint's kids knew that he was Spider-man, with a promise that they could keep secrets, Peter was showing the youngest his webshooters. Even though he couldn't go out as Spider-man, he always kept them on him. He was building a makeshift hammock between two trees. He was sure they were enjoying it based on their squeals that ventured on the excited side.
Soon the night chill fell upon them and the flames from the fire was all that lit up their faces. The clouds were covering up all the stars and the moon, but they weren't nasty clouds. Pepper held Morgan between her legs so she wouldn't get too close to the flames. Peter sat next to Cooper, they were trying to roast their marshmellows so all sides were burnt, without it following off their sticks. Peter dropped his twice already. Going for a third, Clint slapped his hand out of the bag.
"You're wasting my mellows," Clint whined.
Tony rolled his eyes and snatched the bag, grabbing one out for himself and handing one to Peter. "You're such a child Katniss."
"Well if he's going to burn a perfectly good marshmellow, he might as well give it to his Uncle Clint to eat rather than letting it become part of the fire."
"I'm trying! It just keeps slipping off," Peter shrugged, he wasn't lying. This was a stupid argument anyways.
"Hey, kid no worries. I'm just joking."
"Then stop being fucking rude about it!" Peter glared at Clint.
"Peter!" Pepper called out.
Peter turned his glare towards her, and threw his stick into the fire. He got up and walked back to the house, the fire shining his silhouette.
Pepper got up to follow him, her movements stopped when Tony grabbed her arm and made a cutting throat signal. Pepper tilted her head. They were having a silent conversation with their facials.
"Is he okay?" Lila spoke up.
"Yeah he's good, it's his medication. The steroids can make his mood swing and he gets irritable pretty quick." Tony explained. He felt like he was talking behind Peter's back, but they just witnessed it first hand so he thought it was okay to explain a little. It was so un-Peter like. Usually Peter would realize and then apologize after, but given the fact he walked away he was probably inside mentally talking himself into a frenzy.
Tony was going to let Pepper go ahead, but then a small shadow could be seen walking towards them. Tony pretended like he didn't notice and the others followed suit.
Once Peter got back to the fire he step beside Clint wringing his hands, "I'm really sorry Mr. Barton, I didn't mean to shout at you." Peter was looking at the grass, his eyes sunken in from the shadow the fire casted on his face.
"It's all good, and that's Uncle Clint to you!"
Peter sat back down and Cooper let him have his stick to try another marshmellow. Peter quietly thanked him.
Peter slept through the night without incident, his parents were worried that he was going to sleep awfully in Cooper's room. The way that they didn't have their AI either made them even more worried. The fact that Peter didn't alert them or Cooper, made for a happy family.
It was odd really. The way they worried more about Peter sleeping with a friend, rather than their 4 year old. If they told other parents they'd think they're crazy, insane. Pepper joined a bunch of mom facebook groups who were parents to kids with cancer and they said something similar. It helped to know that she had others in the same boat. That she wouldn't drown in the water coming on the boat.
It hurt looking in those groups sometimes, many parents had lost their kids aging from new borns to their 20s. Pepper usually skipped those posts. She once wrote how she sometimes just watched Peter sleep, soaking in his bone structure and the way he breathed. She thought she was weird after she sent it off to the internet, but many mom's hit like and shared that they do the same to their babies.
The better half of the morning was for cooking all the food that they were going to feast on later in the day. It was a Barton family tradition, rather than cook the food the day before they risked it and cooked it on the same day.
Everyone was helping and had something to do. Laura liked the extra hands in the kitchen because it would mean they get to eat sooner this year.
Rhodey was making macaroni and cheese, muttering something about how white people fuck it up. Peter and Tony were peeling potatoes, Morgan was trying to mash them. Pepper was making a green bean casserole. Clint was manning the turkey. Lila begged to do the cranberry sauce, so now she was doing that and Cooper looked disgusted while he and Nathaniel made a dish with yams.
Everyone was gathered around the table and Clint pinged a fork on his glass so they would all shut up.
"Everyone, the Barton tradition is going around the table and saying what you're thankful for this year. You're all honorary Barton's today!" Clint sat back down.
"Okay- I'll go first to get it over with," Tony licked his lips, this wasn't his strong suit. "Alright, this year I'm thankful for my kids and adopting Peter, also my beautiful wife, yadda yadda," Tony swayed his hand in the air.
Pepper went next and then so forth and so on. Until it got to Peter. He didn't know what to say, his year had become contaminated and because of it he couldn't think of what he was thankful for. He was in a sour mood, everything was falling apart in his head. Not a good time to state in front of your family about the things you like. Oh- family.
"I'm thankful for you guys and the rest of our family. You guys are really helpful when I need it and even when I don't need it. Thanks." Peter was speaking with barely a whisper, but he's sure everyone heard if their smiles told the story.
Peter was actually just thankful that all his meds could be plunged straight into his port, because there was no way in hell anyone could force him to take them. There was too many to count. Peter didn't feel like figuring out his own regimen. Of course he was never going to say that, that would be ridiculous.
Once the last person spoke they all started digging in. Peter sunk in his chair, he had to eat one thing. He promised Helen. The food looked like it could swallow him whole. He darted his eyes around from food to food. Turkey? No. Green beans? No. Cranber-
Tony put a small portion of mashed potatoes on his plate. Peter stared through the plate making no move to even show he was interested. He felt Tony's hand rubbing up and down his arm.
"Just one bite," Tony whispered into his hair.
Peter grabbed the fork. Oh cool, his hand was shaking pretty bad. Making sure noone was watching, even though he knew they were out of the corners of their eyes, he slowly piled the tiniest mash onto his fork. He brought it to his mouth at a snails pace and tried to focus on making his hand shake less. Once the food was in his mouth he let it sit there for a second, trying to figure out if it tasted bad or not. He decided that it was okay, not much flavor, but there really wasn't much to begin with either. He swallowed. The heat felt nice against his throat, he wanted more, but first water.
Peter ate his entire small portion and declined more. Tony didn't care that he declined to eat more. His kid ate! Real food!
The day was spent with games and movies. Peter felt bad when his pump monitor went off while they were watching the saddest part of 'The Bridge to Terribithia'. Just crying and then beep! Beep! He was just glad they didn't pause the movie to watch him and his dad fix the noise.
Later in bed, well makeshift bed on Cooper's floor, Peter felt an ache in his stomache rise. He'd be lying if he said his stomache wasn't hurting all day, he was just good at hiding it.
Peter slapped a hand over his mouth and bolted into the nearest bathroom. There goes the potatoes. He must've been a little too loud because next thing he knew there's someone next to him with their hand was on his back.
"You want to lay in my room when it stops?"
Oh it's dad, "yeah."
After 10 minutes, Peter shifted himself into a standing position. He let his dad lead him into the room and unto the bed. His mom wasn't in there yet, he could hear her and Mr and Mrs. Barton and Rhodey, talking downstairs. He felt bad that he ran out on Cooper, but he already fell asleep anyways.
"You can go back- to the adults I mean."
"Nope," Tony slid his shoes off and changed into pajamas, "I'm good right here." Tony climbed into the bed next to Peter.
Peter kicked his backpack so it would be at the end of the bed, the stupid backpack was obnoxious. Usually at night or when he wasn't walking the bag would be on a pole, but they didn't bring one, so annoying backpack it was.
It helped that his tube was long and not all tangled because he climbed over Tony and into the en suite. Tony followed, because he's a good dad. He hated when this would happen. Watching his child throw up and dry heave, and then be so exhausted that he would just rest his head on the toilet, not caring that it was filthy.
"I'm okay dad," Peter breathed inbetween his vomiting.
Tony rubbed his back, "no you're not, but you're gonna be."