Chapter 2
“I was once a boat, sailing off to sea
You dragged me back to the shore
Changing my course in life
Why me? Why you got to pick on me?”
After the whole Accords situation, the Avengers realized just how fragile their makeshift family was. Once they ultimately compromised with that mess, Steve decided that the team needed more bonding time.
Hence, why Tony was currently on the common floor, sitting at the dinner table surrounded by others.
Team dinners were a thing now, and he would die before he admits that he rather enjoys them.
It gets him out of the lab for one thing, and rather than a bag of chips to replace the dinner he always forgot to eat, he gets an actual meal.
And yeah, he still makes a show of complaining when he gets pulled from his projects, but come one he has a reputation to keep.
He also refuses to admit that he did learn a lot more about his teammates. Or they used to be teammates, they were truly like a family now.
He shoved a forkful of lasagna in his mouth, watching affectionately as Sam and Bucky played footsies under the table, Steve, Bruce, and Nat debated about whether crunchy or creamy peanut butter was superior, and as Clint, sitting with his chair tilted as always, balanced his water bottle on his head.
The only thing he could think of that could make this any better was if Peter was here.
Obviously if Pepper, Happy, or Rhodey were here it would be better as well, but he saw them all the time. He lives on the same floor as Pepper, they go to sleep together every night and eat lunch together every afternoon. Happy is just always around—especially if he’s in public. And Rhodey seems to always be by his side whenever he’s in the tower.
But he only gets to see Peter on Saturdays, internship days.
He refuses to admit that the hyper teenager had an effect on him, but anyone with eyes and at least two brain cells could see that the man has been changed for the better. All because of one boy with Bambi eyes.
He heard his phone buzz and he glanced at it as he took a sip of water.
It buzzed again. He sighed and set down his glass.
It buzzed a third time.
By the fourth time, he could see the others around the table looking at him.
By the seventh, Clint piped up. “Didn’t know you were so popular.”
“Ha ha ha,” Tony replied mockingly.
It went off three more times after that.
“Are you going to get that?” Steve asked. “Sounds pretty important.”
“Probably Pepper. I’m trying to think if I missed any meetings.”
“Ten times in a row, she must be mad,” Natasha said with a smirk. She raised her eyebrow at him. “I’ll read them if you won’t.”
“Wow, when did you all become so nosy?” He picked up his phone and began scrolling through his notifications.
“Not Pepper,” he said with a warm smile. “It’s Peter.”
ned i know youre prob busy or smth and this is stupid but i kinda maybe need some help
So Peter didn’t mean to text him. The kid probably needed help in English class.
i think i might pass out if i stand
His smile dropped.
also i might need stitches im not sure
also i really cant breathe my ribs are fucked
Must have been a pretty rough Spider-Man day. He should probably go get him and drag his stubborn ass to Medbay.
its not healing but thats not very surprising
That’s… concerning. Peter’s healing factor is better than Steve Rogers’, why wouldn’t it be working? Why is that not a surprise to Peter?
he was really mad
Tony felt his eyebrows stitch together. He could tell his face was etched with concern, and he could see through his peripheral vision that it was starting to make the rest of the team a little anxious.
anyway i totally get it if youre too busy i can fix it on my own
sorry this isnt your problem
say hi to your mom for me and thank her for the sandwich
see you at school on monday
This kid was going to put him in an early grave.
Hey kid, wrong number. Mind telling me what happened?
“Hey Friday, get in contact with Karen will you?” he said as he waited for a response.
“Is something wrong with Peter?” Clint asked. Tony opened his mouth to respond but Friday interrupted him.
“Karen tells me that Peter is not currently in his suit. Would you still like me to reach her?”
Not in the suit? But if these weren’t Spider-Man related injuries then… what were they?
he was really mad
Did he get into a fight?
No, Peter wasn’t the fighting type. And he could definitely hold his own.
“Boss?”
“Yeah, get her.”
“Tony, what’s going on?” Steve asked. Tony shook his head.
“I’m not sure. But whatever it is, it's not good.”
“Hello, Mr. Stark,” Karen’s cheerful voice said through the ceiling speakers.
“Hey, was Peter injured on his last patrol?”
“No, sir.” Tony sucked in a breath.
“Where is he now?”
“My current location is his bedroom, so he was here at least thirty-five minutes ago when he brought me here. Since he is not currently in the suit I can not confirm whether or not he is still here.”
“Track his phone for me, will you?”
“Of course, sir.” There were a few tense moments of silence. Every Avenger at the table waited with bated breath for whatever Karen had to say next.
“His phone is in his bedroom.”
Tony’s face scrunched in confusion. Peter couldn’t have left his house, been beaten up, and walked all the way home injured in such a short time frame. Especially since the boy himself admitted to not being able to stand.
And if he was home the whole time…
He could practically hear the click in his brain as the only possible conclusion pushed its way into his mind.
“Shit,” he whispered. “Shit!”
“What? What is shit?” Sam asked quickly.
He looked around the room, and he could tell by their hardened expressions that Clint, Bruce, and Natasha had come to the same conclusion.
“Karen has Peter told you anything about what happens at home?” Tony asked urgently as he stood from his chair and called for his suit.
The room was quiet again, as if the AI was hesitating.
“Peter has asked that our conversations remain confidential.”
“Override. Code 60089314.”
Karen hesitated again.
“Peter has admitted to being subjected to violence at the hands of his uncle, who is an alcoholic.”
“Son of a bitch.” He tapped furiously at his watch, wishing the suit would come faster.
Of all the people in the world.
All the people and of course it was the kind-hearted, bubbly nerd that looked out for the little guy.
Not Peter.
This shouldn’t have happened. He should have noticed.
God, not Peter.