Innocent eyes

Peter had always hated hospitals.

He hated the bright colored walls, the smell of the antiseptic, the people in white coats and blue scrubs. He hated them--well, not that he hated how the hospital looks or the people in it but he just hated what it entails.

Peter's heart had always been weak ever since he was a kid.

He remembers zooming in their living room back in Richmond Hills when he was young. He remembers how his father would scold him to stop running around because he would be literally struggling to breathe after. He remembers how his mother would listen to him breathe every dinner, worry evident in her face. And he remembers being short of breath in anything that he does--the bouts of fatigue any time of the day, the dizziness, and all the other non-fun stuff.

At first, his parents thought that what Peter was feeling and experiencing was normal. They just associated the symptoms with their kid's lanky frame and sickly nature. But that all changed that one night when Peter woke up in the middle of the night, his heart was hammering hard against his chest, his breath in staccato as he tries to breathe in difficulty. He can still vividly remember his mother calling for his name as blackness spread through his vision.

Dilated cardiomyopathy.

That's what the doctor had told him when he woke up in the hospital, disoriented. Apparently, he inherited it from his father's side of the family. His nonna had died because of dilated cardiomyopathy and as a kid, it was truly scary.

His father blamed himself when he found out, he was devastated and hugged Peter for hours, muttering apologies.

And ever since then, his life consisted of school, home, and hospital visits.

"Peter?" Peter quickly looks up, meeting that familiar blue eyes and blonde hair, "Dr. Liv is ready to see you," she says, smiling softly at him. "Is May not with you?" she asks as she meets him at the door of the clinic.

"Oh, she's, uhm, working," Peter answers back.

"No one's with you?" she asks.

Peter smiles tightly as he nods, "Uh, no," he mutters.

Amy smiles again as she places her hand on top of the kid's shoulder, "You're the last kid on the list, do you want me to sit with you?" she offers, "You know, just so I could answer all of your aunt's questions about your chitchat with the Doctor."

Doctor Liv and nurse Amy had been on his case ever since he was a kid--even when his parents were still alive. And now that almost all the adult in his life had... well, is gone, May and him decided to stay with the care of Doctor Liv and nurse Amy because they've known each other for such long years. And they had been doing great jobs improving his cardiac functions and even offering a shoulder to lean on when things get pretty rough with his illness.

And over the years of going to Doctor Liv's clinic, nurse Amy had been a familiar face. She always smiles and offered him candies after his visits when he was young. And May had developed a bond with her as they were both nurses. And now, it wasn't fairly new for Amy to sit with Peter, they've been doing it since his uncle Ben would bring Peter alone to the doctor. May always argued that his uncle would always forget to report the important things to May, so it was nurse Amy to the rescue.

Doctor Liv quickly smiles at Peter as soon as she saw him and offers the kid the seat in front of her.

"Isn't it my favorite patient," she mused as she tugs on her coat.

"Good afternoon," Peter politely greets.

The doctor just nods at that as she smiles, "Well, I'll get this over fast since I know how anxious you get during hospital visits, okay? Especially now that May's not with you at the moment." she mutters.

Peter just nods at that while the doctor grabs Peter's ECG results from a couple of weeks before and started rereading it.

"Well," the doctor started, her eyes glued on the results in her hands, "I've seen some drastic improvements from the last ECG that we've done. It's just constantly getting better and better." she mutters, "And it's the trend I've been seeing for the past five... six-ish months," she mumbles.

To be honest, Peter had been expecting this news ever since... the bite. He noticed how drastically his case improved for the past few months--he no longer need time to recover whenever he's going up the stairs, he skips his medicines and doesn't even feel the difference, and well, add the fact that he's been fighting crimes every night now and he doesn't even feel tired or even have palpitations. And since the spider bite improved his eye sight, he thought that it had basically healed every anomaly in his body... even his failing heart.

"Your heart's getting better..." Dr. Liv says, clicking her tongue as she looks back at her patient, "And we've been laying off with the rules for the past few months... and you're back on mid-range exercises but you're still on low-sodium diets, okay?" she asks.

Peter just nods at that even though he knows in himself that he had been enjoying his food for the past few months, not caring anymore about his diet because he just knew that his heart is finally getting better, healed even.

"Okay, I'll relay the good news to May and I'll have Amy schedule you for your appointment next month. I'll also talk to May for another ECG just so we could see your heart's progress."

Peter looks up at that, "Is that really necessary, Dr. Liv?" the kid asks, looking between the doctor and the nurse, "I mean, I've been doing great for the past few months and my heart's drastically improving as you have said. Uhm, is there any way we could forego another ECG?"

"We need to be sure that your heart's not relapsing or anything. We've worked so hard to keep your heart to its current state and we just want to make sure that it's staying at that as it should."

"I just... we're tight on budget, Dr. Liv." he says, sighing, "May loaned the money for me to have the ECG from a few weeks ago and she's now working on double shift just to cover my medicine expenses. We just... we just can't afford it anymore."

The doctor sighs at that, completely understanding where the kid was coming from. Peter is not a stranger to her anymore so it was breaking her heart to actually hear the kid's struggles on their finances. "I understand, Peter." she says, "But you need to understand too that we need to keep in track with your heart. We need to be sure that your heart's truly getting better." she explains, "Your heart muscles were severely weakened by the start of last year, the reason of your weekly ER visits. You've had palpitations, attacks... it was the whole thing. And now that you're getting better, we need to make sure that we are keeping your heart at that. It may be miraculous but we still need to be on guard."

"But I'm fine now," Peter argued, "I haven't been drinking my meds for months and it doesn't even affect my heart!"

Dr. Liv sighs at that, disappointment evident in her voice, "I'm going to forget what you just said because it makes me upset." she says, shaking her head. "Look Peter, your heart may be better but it's not healed. When we did that physical exam a few months ago, I could still hear some murmurs and even though your heart's getting better as time goes on, we still need to keep track of it." she says, "I prescribed you medicines to help your symptoms and you'll continue to have it to maintain this wonderful improvement."

Peter sighs as he looks down, defeated, "But I'm fine now."

"Physically, yes." Dr. Liv agrees, "You may feel better and you may be able to go back to the things you've been doing before when your heart was at that plateau stage. You can go back to some physical activities--moderate exercises, extreme emotions, and the like. But I don't suggest that you stop your medicines and abuse your body with strenuous activities."

"But you said I'm physically fine," Peter grumbles.

Dr. Liv has always been impatient but somehow, she already got used with Peter's unending reasons, "Yes, to an extent." she says, "Every body has its limit and so does your heart. When you put your heart under unnecessary stress and pressure, it may cause a relapse and go back to the bad stage you were in before and I'm pretty sure you don't want that."

Peter sighs as he bits his lips because of course he doesn't want that. He doesn't miss missing school because of his weekly hospitalizations and treatments. And he's sure as hell that he's also not missing seeing May tire herself out with looking after him and working. "No." he answers back.

Dr. Liv nods at that, "That's right." she mutters, "You need to see the silver lining in this Peter. May will be ecstatic to hear the news that you're getting better but you need to also do your part and drink your medicines and not strain yourself."

Nurse Amy couldn't hold it anymore as she turns to Peter, "Honey, if this is about money to buy your medicines, I'll help you with that, okay?"

Peter quickly perked up as his ears turn red in embarrassment, "Oh no, you don't need to do that nurse Amy." the kid says.

And nurse Amy, knowing well that Peter would decline says, "No, Peter, you're practically family now."

"I cant possibly take it for free."

Nurse Amy shrugs at that as she smiles, "Well, what do you say about tutoring my kid on math? Just one hour per day and I'll give you some money instead? You can do it online or if you have time, visit our house."

Dr. Liv smiles at that as she beams, "I guess that's a great idea! Maybe you can tutor my kid too in science? She's been frustrated with learning it."

Peter looks at the two women, gratefulness blossoming in his heart.

--

Tony sets the mug of coffee on top of his desk as he eyes the finished suit for the Spider-kid. The man thinks that he outdid himself with the kid's suit--like, who would've done 576 web combinations, the kid's own A.I., a drone, and well, a different more features including 205 different protocols in order to make the kid safe as possible? Well HE did. And well, he really did outdo himself there.

"Do we have any schedule for the week, FRI?" the billionaire asks as he takes a sip from his coffee, "Excluding S.I. business of course, my secretary can go to all of them. I'm talking about official Avenger's business."

"You were supposed to go to Vienna with Ms. Romanoff this Thursday and attend the ratification of the Accords, boss."

Tony rolls his eyes at that, "Natasha can handle herself there. I am not really the people's person. I might just be the reason for the Accords to be revoked." he chuckles.

"Well, if that's the case, then you are free for the rest of the week, boss."

Tony scrunched his nose at that, "Boring," he mumbles, "Where are the others anyway?" he asks as he folds the kid's suit slowly.

"Vision and Miss Maximoff is currently in the compound while Ms. Romanoff is with Director Fury and Ms. Hill to have a meeting before flying to Vienna tomorrow. Mr. Rhodes is having a meeting right now with the Secretary of state while Mr. Rogers and Mr. Wilson are currently together in Vienna right now."

Tony raises his brows at that, "And why are those two in Vienna right now?"

"Their reason to be there is currently unknown."

"Keep an eye on them," Tony mutters. He sighs as he continues to stare at the suit before him, "How about our friendly neighborhood Spider-kid?" Tony asks, "What he's been up to?"

"Spiderling is currently swinging in Queens right now, a dog tucked safely in his arms. My scanners detect that it's the lost dog of Ms. Jem Coleman, it's been lost for two weeks now and it seems the Spiderling is on his way to bring the dog back to it's owner." FRIDAY answers back, "Do you want to view his other activities today?"

FRIDAY plays the video without Tony's approval while the man just watches it unseeingly.

Tony tilts his head, "Tell you what, FRI," the man mumbles, "Why don't we have a sweep around the New York today? It's sunny outside, it's a great time to fly."

--

"Oh my gosh, Zeke!" the woman exclaims as soon as she sees the bundle of fur on Spider-man's arms.

"He's your dog, right?" the hero asks as he gives the dog back to the woman.

"Oh my gosh, yes!" the woman exclaims while the dog licks his owner happily, "Thank you very much! He's been gone for ages!"

Spider-man smiles through his mask as he salutes to the woman, "No big deal ma'am, it's my job to look after Queens." the kid says, smiling.

"Sir, why are we on stealth mode right now?" FRIDAY asks, completely bringing Tony back to his reverie as he was too focused on watching the kid before him.

"Shush, FRI," he whispers.

"Is there a threat around?" the AI asks.

"It's probably you," Tony greeted his teeth, "We won't be hidden anymore if you keep on yapping here." the man mutters, "We're here to follow the kid, FRI. I'm pretty sure we'll uncover the kid's identity today."

"Oh, is that why we're on stealth mode?"

"FRIDAY, mute," Tony snaps.

"Thank you very much... uhh," the woman mumbles, unsure what to call the masked hero.

"Spider-man," Peter answers back, pride swelling in his chest.

And with that name, Tony scoffs, "Spider-man, more like Spider-kid." he mumbles to himself, "He doesn't look like he's over thirty."

"Thank you, Spider-man,"

The kid nods as he shoots a web, "See you around Zeke, you too Ms. Coleman!" he exclaims as he leaves.

Tony was quick to follow the kid, leaving a small amount of space between them just so the kid won't feel his presence and be too threatened and well, as if on cue, the kid snaps his head back completely staring at the space where Tony is supposed to be.

But he can't see him, right? He's on stealth mode. He's supposed to be undetected by everyone. Tony thought.

"Hmm," the kid hums as he tilts his head in confusion.

 The kid then shakes his head as he swings again. And after a few minutes, the kid turns to his right and into an alley. And at first, Tony was confused until the kid dropped beside the dumpster and grabbed his mask from his face.

"Today's pretty eventful," the kid mutters to himself, completely oblivious of the man watching him from behind. "I was able to catch that robber by the bridge, two cats gotten out of the tree--well, after a few scratches but that was fine, I always heal fast." he continues to mumble, "Then that kid that was getting bullied--man, those bullies just really screws up everything. I don't understand them." he rants, "And Zeke! That cute shih tzu! He's adorable and behaves well too! I'll definitely drop by and ask Ms. Coleman if I could walk him sometime."

The kid was a literal kid! Tony thought, completely surprised. As he watches the kid's back, he couldn't help but to guess that he's younger than twenty, probably a teenager and gosh, he's a kid and he's literally a hero!

Well, when Tony was a teenager he was probably getting drunk or being hit by his own father--he doesn't really remember--doesn't want to remember.

The kid looks through his phone and almost squealed, "Oh, I'm screwed!" he exclaims, "May's already home! She's going to have my head if I get even a minute late!" the kid quickly ran away, his suit safely tucked back into his backpack.

And even though Tony wasn't able to see the kid's face he knew what he needed to do--to protect him.

--

"FRI," Tony called as soon as he arrived back in the compound, "Pull up everything you could find about that kid."

Tony quickly went to his work station and brought out the kid's suit, having so many improvements in mind to put into work.

A minute has passed and there was no verbal response from the AI so the mechanic looked up, as if finding the physical body of the AI.

"FRI, you there?"

"I am here boss, just, I thought you don't want to hear my voice."

Tony chuckles at that, "I'm sorry, FRI about earlier. Now, would you please pull up everything you could on the kid?" he asks politely, "I'm pretty sure you scanned everything that was on his phone earlier."

"That, I did," FRIDAY answers back.

"Good girl," Tony praised, knowing that the AI was probably still pissed with him asking her to mute herself, "Now, hit me."

"As from the data I've gathered, Spider-man is a 15 year old kid from Queens named Peter Parker."