Peter was currently hiding in his room nursing a black eye. Liam, May’s boyfriend, ordered Peter to stay in his room and avoid May so she would not see his handiwork. Peter knew he did not have to listen to him and that he could easily take him, but he believed May’s happiness was more important than his own wellbeing. May was finally happy with someone for the first time since Ben died, he was not going to be the reason for messing that up.
Liam had his own apartment but was staying over more and more often these days. And because of this Peter often went to bed with some kind of injury after pissng him off somehow. It wasn’t hard, if Peter did anything out of line, like not washing a dish right away, he punished Peter, although Liam liked to call it “discipline.” Tonight it was a black eye, last week he had bruised ribs one day, sprained wrist the next from Liam grabbing him, and so on. No matter the injury evidence could be gone by morning, or in the case of Monday, in a few days, with Peter’s super healing. Liam had been with May for three months, the “discipline” started a month and a half ago. Usually the injuries he sustained from the “discipline” were minor enough to be gone by the next day or in places he could hid with clothing. That had been true this whole time, until Monday that is.
—-
Monday of this week had been the worst so far, Peter had gone out on Patrol right after school and got home late. May was working a night shift and turns out Liam was staying over. As soon as Peter had walked through the door Liam grabbed him and said he was going to “discipline” him for being late. He beat Peter to the point where it was hard to breathe. He definitely had some broken ribs, a concussion, possibly some factures, and a litany of bruises. Peter had no idea why he was so angry, although he did smell alcohol on Liam’s breath. Liam told Peter to hide until he was no longer visually injured and if May found out he would get worse than what he got that night. Liam must have not realized how bad he had hurt Peter if he thought he could just hide for a few days and be good as new, or course Peter could, but no normal person could.
Peter texted May to say he had an important project due soon and had to stay a few nights at Ned’s in order to finish it. Luckily May believed his text and said it was fine. He used Karen's voice in his mask, when calling in sick from school, to make it sound like an adult was the one doing it. He just asked Keran to repeat a few sentences when the school picked up the phone. Peter then spent the next few days and nights on the roof of their building healing from the “discipline,” all the while thinking ‘If May is happy, I am happy.’ That was Peter’s new mantra.
—-
There was a knock on his door, “Peter? Are you coming out for dinner?” May called through the door.
“I’m not hungry and I have a lot of homework, you can eat without me.” Peter didn’t like to lie to May, but it was the only way he could keep her from seeing the black eye.
“You sure? It's Thai, your favorite.”
‘Dang, Thai sounded so good right now’ is all Peter could think and he was so hungry. Still he replied “Yeah, I’m sure. I’m fine.” He said the last part more to convince himself than May.
“Alright, your loss. Larb you.”
“Larb you.” Peter replied with a sigh.
After that he finished his homework, turned out the lights, and went to bed early so he would not have to talk to May again tonight. Before he could fall asleep he heard his phone buzz on the nightstand. He looked at it and a picture of Ironman lit up the screen, he couldn't help the smile that formed on his face. He answered.
“Hey Mr. Stark.”
“Hey kid, no patrol tonight?” Tony said on the other side of the line.
“Nah, I’m tired.” He knew that was a pathetic excuse, but it wasn’t technically a lie. He was tired, but not physically, mentally from putting up with Liam and lying to everyone about how he is fine.
“Uhuh, it's been a few days since you went out on patrol, that's not like you, everything alright?”
“Yup!” Peter said, popping the P at the end, “everything's a-ok, all good, nothing wrong.” he rambled. If there was one thing he hated more than lying to May, it was lying to Mr. Stark.
“Right.” Mr. Stark said slowly like he didn’t believe him. “You know you can talk to me kid, right?”
Peter suddenly felt so guilty, “Yeah, I know Mr. Stark, but everything’s fine. Totally and completely fine.” God he hated lying.
“Alright, whatever you say. I’m here if you need me.”
“I know. Thanks Mr. Stark.”
“No problem, kid. Also can you please start calling me Tony, I think we have moved past the formalities.”
“No can do Mr. Stark.” Peter replied with sass.
“Whatever,” Tony grumbled, “get some sleep, kid. See you tomorrow.”
Peter found himself smiling again, he forgot tomorrow was Friday, aka Peter and Tony’s lab day. “See you tomorrow Mr. Stark!” He hung up the phone.
________
Peter woke up and before leaving his bedroom he looked at himself in his phone camera to make sure his black eye was gone. It was for the most part, but there was still a dark tint to the skin around his eye. He attributed this to his lack of eating yesterday. He needed to eat more than the average person since his metabolism was so fast and without proper nutrients his healing factor slowed down. Yesterday he had grabbed a granola bar for breakfast when running out the door so he would not be late. Then he had the small crappy school lunch that came with his meal plan. And to top it all off he then had no dinner thanks to Liam getting mad that he was home late, even though he wasn't, he was just at decathlon practice.
—-
When he had tried to tell Liam that he was at decathlon practice, he replied, “You shouldn’t be playing with friends after school, you should be getting a job and working to help your poor aunt.” Peter had then tried to explain that he wasn’t just ‘Playing with friends’ and that he actually had an internship. Liam just got even madder and said “Are you talking back to me?!” Peter froze, he knew he had made a big mistake, “Answer me!” Liam yelled. May at this time was still at work, Liam never did this while May was around.
“No?” Peter had said unsurely.
“Now you're lying!” Before Peter could reply again Liam had swung his fist at Peter’s face blinded in rage.
Peter hadn’t even seen it coming until it was too late. A few months before he would have sensed it, but his spidey senses, or as May would say, Peter tingle, was always and permanently allerting him of danger when Liam was around. “Now go to your room and don't come out the rest of the night, I don’t want May to see what you made me do.”
“Yes sir” Peter had replied because he knew that was what Liam wanted him to say.
—-
Peter got out of bed changed into jeans and a science pun T-shirt, in this case a salt shaker saying “Got any good sodium jokes?”and a pepper shaker replying “Na!” He then slipped on a hoodie and put the hood up to hide his face so no one would see the slight darkness around his right eye. ‘It would probably be gone by the end of the school day.’ he thought.
He went out to the kitchen and was about to pour a bowl of cereal when he noticed there was only enough left in the box for one serving. A memory of how Liam had beaten him for finishing the cereal last time came to mind, not as bad as Monday, but still not great, so he put it back in the cupboard and once again grabbed a granola bar. He grabbed his bag, put his shoes on, and went out the door before he had to face May.
School was normal, Flash was being a dick, MJ had her head in a book yet you could tell she was listening to everything that was said around her, and Ned went on about the new Lego set he got. Peter stayed quiet for the most part. No one brought up his eye except Ned and Peter had just said it was from Patrol. He was lying to everyone he cared about. At the end of the day he went to the bathroom to look in the mirror and just as he predicted, his black eye was now completely healed. He took off the hoodie before heading out of school, glad that Mr. Stark would now be able to see the pun on his shirt.
He went outside and Happy was waiting in a black Audi. He hopped in the back seat, “Hey Happy.”
“Hey Peter.” Happy replied. Happy kept glancing in the rear view mirror at Peter through the drive. He had noticed Peter kept getting quieter and quieter these days. At first it seemed like a blessing, but now he kind of missed the kids ramblings, although he would never admit it outloud.
He had talked to Tony about it because he was getting a bit concerned. Tony told Happy he noticed it too, “He doesn’t talk as much anymore although he does ramble a bit when I suspect he is lying.” Tony had said.
They pulled up to the tower but Peter did not move, he was staring out the window yet he seemed not to be seeing what was in front of him. “Peter?” Happy looked back and said.
Peter was startled out of his thoughts and jumped almost hitting his head on the roof of the car. He had been way more jumpy since Monday’s beating. He calmed down a bit and replied “Huh?”
Happy looked more concerned now, “We’re here.”
“Oh,” Peter looked out the window for real this time and finally noticed they were in front of the building, “right, thanks Happy!” He called as he got out of the car. Peter was running into the building before he could hear if Happy replied or not. He took the elevator straight to the lab.
Happy was now texting Tony from the car: Heads up, Peter was really quiet today more than usual, even with the past few weeks and got startled for no reason. Tony sighed and texted simply: Thanks for the heads up Hap.
Tony turned to greet Peter as he walked into the lab, “Hey kid,” he immediately noticed the science pun on Peter’s shirt, “Nice shirt,” He said with a smirk.
Peter smiled, “Thanks, you and Ned are the ones who appreciate it.”
“How is Ted?” Tony purposefully said the wrong name, even though Peter had just said Ned, to one: mess with him, and Two: see if Peter would correct him like he used to.
“He’s fine.”
‘Something is definitely off’ Tony thought. Although things with Peter had been off for a while now. With a frown he said, “You sure everything is alright kid?”
Peter looked up and began to panic for a fraction of a second before plastering a fake smile on his face, “I’m fine, good, more than good, great, awesome.”
Tony rolled his eyes at Peter’s ramble. “You keep saying things like that, but act the opposite.”
“Honestly Mr. Stark, everything is fine. Better that can be. Super. No need to worry.” He still had the fake smile on.
Tony knew he was not going to get an honest answer from Peter so he just stopped trying for now, although he was not going to leave it be for long. “Let's just get to work.”
They worked for a while in silence, but then Tony heard Peter's stomach grumble. He decided it was time to break for dinner, he wheeled his chair to where Peter was sitting and tapped him on the shoulder, “Hey, kid?”
Peter flinched and then froze. He had gotten lost in thought and forgot for a second who was tapping him on the shoulder, thinking it might have been Liam for a second. Then he realized how ridiculous that was since his senses weren’t going off. He tried to recover quickly, but he was pretty sure Tony had noticed. “Sorry, spaced out for a minute.”
Tony had noticed the flinch and had an idea about the reason, from personal experience, but he really did not want to be right. He used to filch in the days of his father. ‘But Peter doesn’t have an abusive father.’ Tony thought. He said the only plausible thing that came to mind, “Is that Flash guy still giving you a hard time.”
Peter looked up at him confused, “Uh, yeah, but nothing big.”
Since Peter didn’t ramble when he answered that question he assumed he was wrong about it and didn’t push any further. “Well anyways, I thought we could order some dinner.”
“Sounds good to me.”
“Any requests?”
“No?” He did not like to answer questions these days because he always seemed to give the wrong answer when talking to Liam.
Tony looked at him questionly but then just decided on his favorite, “Cheeseburgers sound ok?”
“Yes sir.” Peter realized what he was saying a second too late.
“What did you say?” This was all too familiar to Tony.
“Huh, nothing, I said nothing, not a thing. Cheeseburgers sound deliciously amazing, scrumptious even.” There was the ramble again.
“Kid, what's going on?”
“Like I said, nothing is going on, nothing is wrong, everything is great. No need to worry.”
“Saying that is making me worry more.”
“But you don’t need to be, because everything is fine, everything is normal, all good, all great.” Once again Peter put on an obviously fake smile.
Tony did not want to let this go, but Peter was not telling him anything. He ordered the cheese burgers and when they arrived they went up to the common area and ate in silence. Tony looked up at Peter every few minutes questionly trying to figure out what had been going on with him. And Peter was avoiding eye contact. As soon as Peter was done eating he went to wash his dish, the memory of the last time he didn't at the forefront of his mind. Tony came over, Peter once again flinched. Tony signed but ignored it this time, “You know I have a dishwasher right?” He pointed beside Peter. Peter looked down and his cheeks blushed a bit, “Oh, right.” He put his dish in the dishwasher.
They went back down to the lab and worked in silence until it was time for Happy to drive Peter home. “It’s getting late kid, May will have my head if you're not back soon.”
Peter looked sad at that, Tony thought it was because he wanted to stay here, but in truth it was more that he just did not want to go home. “Ok” was all Peter said.
Tony walked Peter to the car to say goodbye, “See you next week kid.” He obviously knew there was something going on and he wanted to make sure Peter knew he was there if he needed him, “I’m just a phone call away if you anything alright kid?”
“I know, thanks Mr. Stark.”
“No problem kid, get home safe.”
Peter was once again silent in the car. Happy pulled up in front of the apartment building, and noticed Peter was looking out the window again, but this time his eyes weren’t spaced out; they were almost fearful. He tried to get Peter’s attention, but used a low voice to not startle him like last time. “Peter?” It did not work, Peter still flinched.
“Right, yeah.” Peter said, “Thanks.” Peter slowly got out of the car, walked into the building, and trudged up the stairs. When he got in the apratment he saw a note on the counter from may:
Peter,
Had to pick up an extra shift, sorry. I will see you tomorrow. Also Liam had planned on sleeping over before I took this shift, so he should get there around 10:30.
Larb You ♡
Peter looked over at the clock and felt dread soak through him, it was 10:21. He only had 9 minutes until Liam got there.
—
While Peter was reading the note from May, Tony was reading a text from Happy: Something is definitely wrong, Peter looked scared when getting out of the car and going into his apartment. I would check up on him if I were you. Do you want me to go up?
Tony replied: No, you can head back, I'll call him. Thanks Hap.
—-
Peter jumped when he heard his phone ring. It was Tony. ‘Did I forget something?’ Peter thought. He answered.
“Hey Mr. Stark, did I forget something?” Peter asked as he mindlessly took off his shoes and left them in front of the door.
“No, no, just checking to make sure you got back alright.” Tony lied.
“Yup, just got back, all good, thanks.”
“No problem, listen Peter, I know something is bothering you, why won't you let me help you?”
“I don't need help Mr. Stark, nothing is bothering me. I am all good, no problems, totally fine, I prom-” Peter heard the front door open. He looked at the time on his phone ‘He’s a few minutes early.’ Peter thought.
“Kid? What’s going on?”
Peter replied as quickly as he could, “Nothing, I’m fine, everything’s good. Thanks for checking in, gotta go, bye.” He quickly pressed the end call button and put the phone face down on his bed. Little did he know, the call had not actually ended.
“Peter?” Tony asked, “Peter what’s happening?” Peter would have heard Tony, with his super hearing, if it wasn’t overshadowed by Liam yelling.
“PETER!” Tony heard a voice he has never heard before on Peter’s side of the line. He was immediately on high alert.
“HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I TOLD YOU NOT TO LEAVE YOUR SHOES IN FRONT OF THE DOOR!” Peter could clearly smell the alcohol on his breath and knew this was going to be really bad.
Peter knew his only option to try and avoid “discipline” was to suck up and do what Liam wanted, “I’m sorry sir, please, it won’t happen again.”
‘What the fuck?!’ is all Tony could think.
“OH, YOU BET IT WON’T!!!” Liam grabbed Peter by his curls and kneed him in the stomach. Although Tony could not see any of this he heard Peter's pained cry and that was enough to have him call for his Iron Man suit.
“Peter! Peter, what is going on? Can you hear me?!” Tony called out after tranfering the call to the suit and taking off. No answer, just more pained cries and grunts.
As Tony was flying there Liam was repeatedly kicking Peter. Peter still did nothing and did not fight back; he just kept thinking, ‘If May is happy, I am happy.’ over and over again. Liam then started punching him screaming “YOU ARE A WORTHLESS FUCKING KID, AND A BURDEN TO MAY, SHE NEVER SHOULD HAVE TAKEN YOU IN.”
Tony’s blood was boiling and he saw red. ‘No one speaks to Peter like that and gets away with it, not on my watch’ Tony thought.
Thinking the mantra wasn’t enough anymore, Peter started saying it over and over like a wish, if he said it enough maybe it would become true. “If May is happy, I am happy.” He was so focused on saying it that he didn’t hear the sound of thrusters, the window breaking, or the sound of metal boats hitting the wood ground. He did however hear the next thing, other than his own words, even if did not stop repeating the mantra.
“GET YOUR HANDS OFF MY KID!” Tony shouted before firing his repuser at Liam. Liam shot across the room and fell onto the floor limp and unconscious.
Tony then immediately retracted the suit and stumbled out falling to his knees next to Peter’s bloody bruised form. And then he heard it, he heard what Peter was saying over and over like a broken record. “If May is happy, I am happy. If May is happy, I am happy. If May is happy, I am happy.”
Tony’s heart shattered at Peter’s words, “Peter, hey, Peter can you look at me?” Peter did not stop. “This is the last thing that would make May happy Peter.” At that, Peter stopped, he slowly uncurled from his protective ball and looked up at Tony. “Hey, there you are.” Tony said with a smile that came out more as a grimace. “It’s gonna be ok Pete, he is never going to hurt you again, you have my word.” Peter just stared blankly. “You know May wouldn’t be happy with you hurting right?”
“But she was happy.” That's all Peter could muster.
“No, she was unaware Pete. If she had known she would not have been happy I promise.”
“She wasn’t supposed to know.”
“Peter, you cannot sacrifice yourself just for someone else's fraudulent happiness. It wasn't real if you were being hurt.” Peter just stared up at Tony, face swollen and bruised. All Tony wanted to do was wrap Peter in the biggest hug and never let go, but he did not want to scare Peter by making sudden movements. Tony slowly reached down and since Peter did not flinch this time he pulled him into a hug, cradling him in his lab like a child. ‘That's what he is, a child carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.’ Tony thought. At that point the floodgates opened and Peter was sobbing into Tony’s chest. Tony tightened his grip on Peter. ‘How long had this been going on? How long was Peter dealing with this on his own?’ Tony had so many questions. Tony had gathered from Peter’s heart wrenching words that the guy was May’s boyfriend. Peter mentioned something about May dating a few months back, but then did not say anything else. Tony had assumed it had not worked out between the two. ‘I should have checked in more.’ Tony thought sadly.
The Iron Man suit was still standing in the middle of the room, so Tony said, “FRIDAY, call the cops and tell them to pick up this bastard.” He knew FRIDAY would be able to hear him.
Even when the cops came, he did not let go of Peter, he also shielded Peter’s face as they dragged Liam out so he would not have to see the bastard’s face ever again. The EMT’s came in and Tony still did not let go, only moved slightly around to let them do what they had to do to help Peter. Again still holding Peter he told the cops they would get a statement tomorrow, not tonight. Everyone left and it was just Peter and Tony still on the floor of Peter’s room.
Tony could not wait any longer, he had to know, “Hey Underoos?” he said as gently as possible. Peter’s crying had changed from sobs to silent tears. He looked up at Tony with red rimmed doe eyes. “Can you tell me who exactly that was and how long this has been going on?”
Peter looked down, he didn’t want to see the look on Tony’s face as he told him the story. In a small trembling voice he started, “His name is Liam. May and him have been dating for three months, but the ‘discipline’ started six week ago.”
Tony was beyond angry, and bewildered “Did you say discipline?”
“Yeah, if I do something wrong he disciplines me so I learn how to be better for May.”
Once again Tony saw red, but he couldn’t let his anger at Liam get in the way of comforting Peter. “Peter, you know you did nothing wrong right?” Peter stayed silent. Tony sighed, “I heard what he said to you while I was still on the phone.” Peter looked a bit puzzled and Tony realized he did not know how he found out. “Pete, you never actually hung up.” Peter's eyes opened comically wide in realization. “You know nothing he said was true. You are an amazing remarkable kid and you are not a burden to anyone.” Peter still did not say anything, “I need you to believe me, I wouldn’t lie to you. You are the strongest person I have ever met and you are the best person I have ever met. Just don’t tell Pep I said that.” that got a small laugh out of Peter and Tony counted it as a win.
“Did you mean everything you said?” Peter asked in a small voice.
“I just told you I wouldn't lie to you.”
“No, before.” Peter corrected.
Tony was at a loss, ‘What did I say before?’ he thought,. “When?”
Peter looked sad again, looked down, and whispered, “Nevermind.”
“No, Pete, come one, please tell me.”
Again he whispered “When you said: my kid”
Tony had not even realized he said “my kid,” it had just come out so naturally. He had thought of Peter as his for a while, Peter is family, but he has never said it out loud until now. Now that he had, it just felt right. “Peter, can you look at me?” Peter looked up with sad eyes. Tony looked straight into them as he spoke his next words, “I meant every word I said today.” Peter’s eyes brightened at that and Tony smiled at him. They stayed in comfortable silence for a few minutes and then Tony spoke up again, “We should call May.” Peter's face fell to a look of dread. Tony tightened his hug once more to show comfort.
“Will you stay? I don’t want to tell her alone.”
“I’m not going anywhere Underoos.”
Now that he knew Tony thought of him as his kid, Peter could finally say what he had wanted to say for a while. Something he has not said to a man since his dad or Ben, “I love you Mr. Stark.”
Tony was never good with emotions, thanks to Howard, but with Peter they came easier. He gave Peter a soft smile and uttered words he had only said to four other people in his life, “I love you too Peter.”