(Hearing Loss) - It's All Ringing
Their night had been everything Tony needed. Holding his kid close, tightly up against his chest as Peter shivered through the fever. Tony knew that Hammer would be making requests and taunts soon enough, but if he could just keep him from touching Peter, they could make it. Natasha had been so close when Hammer had emailed. Rhodey had tried to convince Tony, he had begged, but Tony wouldn’t listen. He gave them two or three days.
Tony heard a grunt from below him, and turned his head to see Peter staring up at him.
“I can’t believe you’re really here.” Peter murmured. “You shouldn’t h’ve come.” The kid muttered quietly.
“Don’t you dare say that. Of course I came. I dropped everything to get here, I’m just sorry I didn’t get here sooner.” Tony said as he sat up beside Peter, eyes on the door.
“Shoulda stayed with Morgan.” Peter said, eyes still closed as he leaned his forehead against Tony’s arm.
“Why do you say that?” Tony asked as Peter grunted against his arm.
“She’s your kid.” The heat from Peter’s brow added stress to Tony even as he tried to get to the bottom of what the kid was talking about.
“Pete, look at me.” The kid didn’t move, and Tony didn’t miss the small sniff. “Peter. Open your eyes.” The kid obliged, his doe eyes rimmed with tears. “You are my kid. Sure, you aren’t mine biologically. But a Father isn’t just blood Peter. You’re my kid and I love you, I want to protect you, and what happened here - it wasn’t your fault.”
Just as it looked like Peter was settling into the words Tony had just spoken, the door opened with a bang and in came Hammer and his two goons.
“Well, I see you are all comfy over there.” Hammer said as he clasped his hands together. “Too bad that I have to take Mr. Parker out today. We have some fun to be had.” Hammer said as he motioned at his guys. Peter felt Tony’s weight leave the bed, but there was a click and Mr. Stark backed off against the wall. Peter looked up to see Knives pointing a glock straight at Peter. It was effective in getting Tony to back off. Then hands were on him, pulling him up. Peter wishes he could walk, possibly be able to not look completely worthless, but putting any weight on his legs would result in him passing out he’s pretty sure.
The men drag him up the stairs once more, and Peter just wants to get out. But he has no will to fight anymore. Because now Tony is here, and Hammer could hurt Tony, and Peter would rather die than risk that happening.
Today, Peter is led to the chair in front of the screen, and he feels his spider-senses spiking up again. His palms begin to sweat as he wriggles in the arms of the men. They are ten times stronger than Peter at this point, and slam him back into the chair, latching him in and securing Peter to the point that he couldn’t move at all.
There was no warning, no preparation. Someone yanks Peter’s head back and places a contraption on his head. There was a thick strap over his eyes, and he didn’t dare move as pincers were placed on his eyelids. He cries out as he can no longer close his eyes. Heavy headphones are placed onto his ears, then strapped down so he couldn’t shake them off. Hammer gave Peter a thumbs up, talking to him even though he knew that Peter couldn’t hear. Then Hammer steps away, and the screen is clicked on.
Peter jerks his head back, but it hits a board at the back of the chair, unable to move. The lights and colors that flash at him attack his senses. Like a knife being driven into his eyes as random colors and patterns flashed. The noise in his ears is what got him. It was a constant, high pitched ringing that left Peter’s head swimming.
As the time went on Peter felt himself detaching from reality. It was as though his brain had disconnected from his eyes as his body was rigid.
Then, like a wave crashing onto the shore, Peter’s vision went white and he was lost to the world.
-
When he came back to himself, he was nauseous and sore. His whole body ached. He realized he was being dragged forward, and he wondered where he was. His feet drug over a concrete floor, and he was aware of someone talking - yelling. It was too much. He grunted and squeezed his eyes shut at the brightness of the lights attacking his eyes.
He felt the arms on his hands released, and in the back of his mind Peter knew that he was about to face-plant into the concrete, but then someone was catching him, and he was being turned over as someone sat him half-way up and rubbed his chest.
“Hey, you’re okay baby. You’re okay baby.” A soft, gravelly voice whispered in his ears. Peter whimpered, turning his head into Tony’s chest. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.” A hand began to rub slowly over his shoulders.
“H’rts.” He whispered, and he wasn’t even sure what he was talking about. Everything? His whole body, his mind, his eyes. But mainly, Peter decided that was it. He was done. Whether he got out of this place or not he didn’t care. He was resigned to being as worthless to Hammer as he could be.
“Okay, I’ve got some water. I’m going to get you on the cot and get you to drink some water then you can sleep, okay?” Peter grunted, not much caring what happened until Tony went to move him and he gagged. Tony turned his head and bile came out of his mouth. He knew there was nothing left in his body, but he continued to gag. His head was limp as Tony had his body turned his body as Peter’s body continued to convulse. Peter felt a sob get ripped from his throat as he went dead-weight in Tony’s arms.
“Okay, okay. Sh. I know, I know. I’ve got you.” He was being lifted again before he was laid down, his head resting on a pillow as a blanket was tucked up on his chest. A cup touched his lips, and he took a few sips of water before turning his head away as Tony sat down beside him.
“Take a break buddy, just check out, okay? I’ve got you right now.” Peter nodded slightly, as he let himself go and he was deep in unconsciousness before he even knew it.