Hitting Every Red Light

Happy shut off the engine, and opened the back door for Peter. For some reason, Stark’s tower seemed much scarier at night. Peter thought about all the times he couldn’t wait to go to Mr. Stark’s place and hang out with his mentor. He loved coming here even if it was to just talk about his suit, and eat ice cream in the lab while he watched Mr. Stark work. Of all the times he would love to be here, tonight was just not one of them.

He didn’t feel well. His head was pounding and his backside throbbed. Screw his enhanced healing, it wasn’t helping him out at all tonight. Well, maybe it was. Peter remembers feeling a lot worse when Fury was whacking him with that - that stupid long - weird stick thingy.

He walked gingerly with Happy into the elevator lift, then leaned his flushed cheek against the cool metal walls. Thankfully the elevator had a handrail, because Peter was using it to support pretty much all of his weight.

“He’s not going to be mad.” Happy reminded him on their way up. The fact that Happy kept mentioning Mr. Stark being mad increased Peter’s heart-beat by ten percent. If Happy kept talking, Peter was certain he would die of a mini heart-attack.

It’s bad enough he already embarrassed himself royally in front of the guy that was supposed to drive him everywhere. It was a miracle Happy didn’t make fun of him for how much of a baby he was being.

As much as he appreciated Happy being kind to him throughout all of this, Peter couldn’t help but wish the man wasn’t there. If Peter was alone he could cry and not feel humiliated, and he wouldn’t have to worry about Happy telling Mr. Stark about what happened.

Oh God. Telling Mr. Stark about all this made his stomach churn. Happy must have read his face again because his brown eyes crinkled with concern.

“Are you all right?”

Peter resisted the urge to lash out. “I’m fine,” He grunted through clenched teeth.

“Seriously, he won’t be mad.”

“Happy, please. Please stop talking about it. Don’t...” he took in a deep breath, looking down at his shoes, “Don’t tell Mr. Stark.”

“Peter -“

“No seriously! I’m sure Mr. Stark already knows what happened cause wanted me to go there in the first place and -“

“I told you, Fury made Stark -“

“He didn’t make Mr. Stark do anything!” Peter’s eyes were blazing with unshed tears. “No one can make him do anything, remember? You said so yourself just last week.”

“I don’t think Tony knew exactly what Fury was planning to do. I for sure didn’t or I wouldn't have let you go in there.”

Blinking rapidly, Peter tried to regain control as the elevator doors opened on Tony’s livingroom floor.

“I can’t - I don’t want to see him.”

“Really quick, just let him know your staying here for the night then you can go to bed.” Happy said.

Tony’s footsteps slapped the marble floor as he jolted up the stairs.

“Hey, why is it that the moment I actually have important work to do, you choose to forget the meaning of ‘Do Not Disturb.”

Tony stilled immediately. “Kid? What are you doing here?”

“Yeah,” Happy muttered, “This was the urgent matter I wanted to talk to you about. Sorry if I interrupted your blueprint planning but I wanted to tell you, Peter is staying here for the night.”

“Oh he’s staying here, now?” Tony’s eyes flickered from Happy to Peter and he stared at the kid for what felt like an excruciatingly long ten seconds. “Great. FRIDAY show the kid to one of the guest rooms.”

“Yes Sir.” The AI responded before lighting up a pathway for Peter to follow.

“You remember where everything is?” Tony asked, while slinging an arm around Peter’s shoulders.

The boy nodded quickly, but then ducked his head. There was something in Mr. Stark’s eyes, maybe it was concern, but it made Peter feel like he was being scrutinized. So Peter chose to stare at the floor, as Mr. Stark guided him to the stairs.

“All right, have a nice sleep.”

“Thank you, Mr. Stark.” Peter whispered as he walked up the stairs.

Once he was out of sight, Tony turned towards Happy. His head of security shrugged, offering a compensating smile.

“FRIDAY is the kid in bed?” Tony growled.

“No Sir.”

“FRIDAY, where is the kid?”

“In the bathroom sir. It appears he is starting a bath.”

“Good,” Tony strides towards Happy, angry expression on his face.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa.” Happy held his hands out in defense, “Don’t blame me, I didn’t do anything.”

“Do you want to tell me why the hell the kid’s been crying?”

“How could you tell?”

“What happened?!” Tony gripped Happy’s shirt collar.

“Relax. He’s fine. He just had a difficult time handling Fury’s idea of discipline.”

“What?” Tony released Happy and took a step back.

“I don’t know, the kid wasn’t exactly talkative, but apparently Fury hit him with a stick thing? I took it to mean a cane but it could be anything I guess. And yeah the kid started crying on the way back. But I think he was mostly worried about you being mad or something.”

“I am mad.” Tony barked out a bitter laugh, “I’m going to kill him.”

“Tony, the kid’s been through enough, I don’t think you should be mad, okay?”

“I’m not mad at him! I’m mad at Fury. What the fuck was he thinking sentencing a teenager to a physical chastisement. Who the hell thought that was okay?!” Tony asked, heart going out to the kid.

“I - I don’t know. I wasn’t in there with him.”

Tony shook his head. “Grab the first aid kit, leave it outside the kid’s door, I got someone to deal with.”

“I don’t think you should pick a fight with Fury. I mean, isn’t he basically the most dangerous person in the world.”

“Not more dangerous than me when he messes with the people I care about.”

Happy sucked in a breath, “Okay. Want me to wait in Peter’s room until you come up?”

“Yeah.” Tony was already hustling downstairs towards his lab.

When he got there, he immediately sat in one of his chairs behind the giant glass walls and pulled up a video monitor.

“FRIDAY call Nick Fury.”

“Calling Boss.” FRIDAY chimed in, pulling up a face-time screen on the giant holographic monitor.

“This better be important.” Nick Fury’s curt response pierced Tony’s ears.

“Oh it is, because in about twenty minutes i’m going to come down there and break every bone in your body.”

“Stark. If this is about Parker then you can just hang up right now because I’m not dealing with this anymore.”

“You beat him.”

“I didn’t beat him.”

“Really, well that’s ironic because the kid said you did and better yet with a stick? Really? A stick? You decided to go with a primitive caveman weapon?”

“Oh I’m sorry, would you have preferred if I used one of Stark’s latest and greatest laser weapons? Or maybe you wanted me to use one of your combat drones?”

Tony scoffed, shaking his head, “You’re unbelievable.”

“And you’re misinformed as usual. First of all, I didn’t touch him, one of my men did. We were tasked with a job, and I saw it though. We used a rod, and you damn well know why I had to do it.”

“He saved someone’s life. Doesn’t that warrant an ounce of forgiveness from S.H.E.I.L.D’s ridiculously strict and unnecessary policies?” Tony hissed.

“They aren’t unnecessary. The very second one person gets let off the hook, a million others are going to follow. If we stick to the book, then the less chance we have at agents disobeying life-or-death orders.”

“This wasn’t a life-or-death order. No one died. Peter actually saved the kid that was going to die. You’re welcome.”

“Yeah, and by doing so, he let the suspect get away. You know what he did right after we lost sight of him? He blew up a gas-station down in Woodstock, just for kicks. Ten casualties, four deaths. I didn’t tell Parker because despite what you may think, I’m not a monster. He didn’t need that kind of guilt on his shoulders. But there are reasons agents must follow orders, Stark. I had to get that through the kid’s skull. Parker was working for us, he screwed up, so he got punished by us. I told the kid the next time it happens you’re gonna be dealing with him cause I can’t do this again.“

“Good. Let me handle it.”

“I will, but Stark, you’re going to be responsible for making sure he is held accountable if he messes up. I don’t think he’s going to be working for us anymore if he can’t follow the rules or deal with the consequences.”

“What are you saying?”

“I don’t think he’s ready to be an avenger. He’s too young.”

“He’s not too young. Look, as much as I hate what you did, he did take it, right? He owned up to his mistakes and took his punishment. That’s a really grown-up thing to do. I would know, because when I was his age, there’s no way in hell I would do what he just did.”

“I admire Parker too,” Fury said. “He’s got gifts. But I hate to see him suffer under so much guilt and pressure at such a young age. Don’t make me do that again, Stark. Better yet, don’t make yourself have to do that.”

“I wouldn’t hit him if he messed up.”

“Whatever your method would be, you would have to hold him accountable for his mistakes, and no matter what you do, it will suck. So do yourself the favor right now, and take back his suit.”

Tony stared at the monitor. “I can’t do that to him.”

“Then I feel sorry for the future you.” Fury said genuinely, his one eye full of remorse.

“I’ll live.” Tony replied quietly.

“So will he.” Fury said just as softly. “Son of a bitch can heal faster than cheetah can run.”

“You seemed to make an impact.”

“Only cause we hit him faster than he could heal.”

“If he ever screws up again,” Tony said, “just don’t hit him.”

“Honestly Stark, I think it was more merciful than my other options especially since yelling at him would destroy him. The kid is too kind. He would have felt so guilty he wouldn’t have recovered. Just look at you. The guilt you felt in Sokovia, the guilt you felt after your parents deaths... well we both know that you didn’t handle it in the best way. But how do you think Parker would be able to handle it? He already blames himself for everything.”

“Okay. Fine. I get your point. Thanks for not emotionally scarring the kid. But you owe him an apology, because he’s a good kid, and he only wants to help.”

“All right, Stark. Are we done here?”

“Yeah. We’re done.” Tony disabled the call.

“FRIDAY, what is the kid up to?”

“Mr. Parker is currently in bed. His heart-rate is elevated and his stress hormones are being released through tears.”

“Shit,” Tony was off the chair in seconds, racing his way up from the lab to the top of the penthouse.

He stopped in the kitchen to grab a glass of water before going upstairs to see how the kid was doing.

When he got there he saw Happy watching TV in the dark, but no Peter.

“Where is he?” Tony watched the glow of the TV turn from red to blue on Happy’s face.

Lifting his finger, Happy simply points to the ceiling, and Tony’s eyes follow. Peter’s sticking to the ceiling in what looks like an uncomfortable resting position.

“He says it’s more comfortable.” Happy informed with a shrug.

“More comfortable than a bed? I don’t see how.”

“Gravity causes too much pressure, Mr. Stark.” The kid says as he dangles down, “But I’m alright.”

Tony looked him over. He did seem to have stopped crying, which was good because if Tony witnessed the kid in tears he would most likely break something, and he liked his things.

“Then get down from there and drink this.”

Peter obediently dropped to his feet, “you got me water?”

“Yeah, it’s good to hydrate.”

“Isn’t that what they say when you’re sick?” Peter asked.

“Yup, also when you go drinking and you don’t want a killer hangover the next day. Water is beer’s best friend.”

Peter smiled taking a gentle sip of the cold liquid. Soon he found himself downing the whole thing.

“Easy there.” Tony turned to Happy, “Can you give us a minute.”

“You want me to leave the room?”

“Why don’t you get an ice pack from the kitchen?”

“Seriously?”

“Yeah. I gotta talk with the kid.”

Sluggishly, Happy rolled off the bed mumbling something.

“What was that?”

Happy glared, closing the bedroom door, “Oh nothing.”

The room was once again dark with the exception of brightly lit pixels flashing on a screen.

Tony turned so he was looking at an extremely awkward and nervous Peter.

“Uh, Mr. Stark.” The kid flushed, visible even in the dark.

“You don’t have to say anything, kid. Why don’t you lay down?”

“I’m - I’m really sorry, Mr. Stark. I didn’t mean to not listen- I mean I guess I did, but only because I was wanted to help. I wasn’t trying not to listen. I know we talked about how I need to listen more,”

Then it clicked in Tony’s mind.

“Wait - whoa - hold up. You think I’m going to take your suit back for not listening, don’t you? Is that what all this crying is about?”

Tony used his thumb to wipe Peter’s newly formed tears away.

“You said...” Peter’s breathing began to pick up and his chest was rising and falling as he wheezed, “You said -“

“Forget what I said. That was different, kid, I was talking about when you don’t listen to me, not Fury.”

“It’s like the same thing.” Peter looked shamefully at his feet.

“Peter, do you think you deserve to be Spider-Man?”

The kid’s brown doe eyes snapped to meet Tony’s.

“Wh-What?”

“Answer the question, yes or no?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Peter’s lower lip quivered, “I don’t know. I guess I don’t.”

“No, don’t change your mind. Just tell me why you should be Spider-Man.”

“Cause I am him, Mr. Stark. Spider-Man’s just who I am. I’m sorry, but I can’t change the fact that I have these abilities which can save lives, it’s just - it’s just in my DNA now.”

“Literally and figuratively.” Tony added.

“Yeah, and I’ve always tried to look after the little guy because my whole life, I was the little guy, and you know something, Mr. Stark, no one looked after me. I used to hope and pray some person would fall from the sky and save me from the bullies at school or the robbers on the street which used to scare me all the time. But now I have the chance to be that person that falls from the sky and saves other little kids. So I do deserve to be Spider-Man, sir.”

“Damn right you do. I can’t think of anyone better for the job than you, spider-ling.”

Peter’s shoulders sagged in relief. “Thanks, Mr. Stark. So you’re letting me keep the suit.”

“Yeah. It’s yours. If you were worried about me being disappointed in you, I’m not. I’m actually really proud.”

“Really?”

Tony nodded, “The only thing I’m worried about right now is your physical well-being. FRIDAY tells me you’re still suffering from the physical repercussions.”

“Oh, yeah. But that’s nothing, really, Mr. Stark. It’ll be gone by morning.”

“Yeah, well, I’m not having you sleep on the ceiling to avoid any pain so,” Tony opened the bedroom door to have Happy stumble in. Wide-eyed and defensive, Happy looked between the two.

“I wasn’t eavesdropping.”

“Of course not. Got the ice?” Happy tossed the pack over to Tony. “That’s it? That’s all you got?”

“How much did you want?” Happy asked.

Tony rolled his eyes and handed Peter the cold pack.

“Go lay down, and tie that around your waist.”

Peter’s hair laid flat on his forehead, and his cheeks still looked blotchy even though the tears and long stopped coming. But he listened to Tony’s request and rested his head on the large and fluffy white pillow.

“Mr. Stark? Can you, uh, tie it?”

Tony hummed, sitting next to Peter on the side of the bed. He carefully tied the ice so it won’t fall off while Peter sleeps.

“There, all done. Is that better?”

“Yeah,” Peter snuggled his face further into the pillow, “Feels way better already.”

“Good. Let me or Happy know if you need anything else. I’m going to call your aunt, let her know where you’re at so she doesn’t kill me.”

Peter chuckled. “I’m glad I came here tonight. I really needed to talk to you.”

Tony smirked, rubbing his hand up and down Peter’s back. “Shhh. You need to go to sleep, let your body recover, and go back to super-speed healing. I like that ability you got. I don’t like when it’s not working.”

“Kay, Mr. Stark.”

“Tomorrow morning, breakfast at the Red Pipe Cafe?”

“Yeah, that sounds great. Wow, thanks Mr. Stark.”

“Alright, bring your wallet.” Tony stood up.

“Okay sounds - wait! I don’t have my wallet with me.”

“I’m kidding. Breakfast is on me.”

“Oh, you don’t have to do that.”

“No, but I want to.” Tony’s hand was on the door handle, “I am a billionaire, it’s the least I can do.”

“Thank you, Mr. Stark.”

“Thank you, Mr. Parker.” Tony teased, closing the door quietly. “FRIDAY, alert me if the kid shows any signs of distress tonight.”

“Copy that.”

Happy was right behind Tony, leaning against the wall while smirking at him.

“Don’t look at me like that. It’s creepy -“

“You really like this kid,”

“- and suggestive.”

Happy huffed, “My smirk is not suggestive.”

Tony wiggled his hand side to side, “Ah, a little bit.”

“Go back to work, Stark. My work, for once, is done.” Happy said, pointing to Peter's door.

“Yeah, you’re driving the kid to his Aunt’s tomorrow.”

“Oh, come on!”