#4--April 17, 2019
Sensory Overload
Tony ignores the urge to fidget as he faces the rogue Avengers. Well, they were rogues. They were pardoned not too long ago with the promise that they would sign the amended Sokovia Accords. They still have to go over some parts of the document to ensure that the Civil War will never happen again, but as far as everyone’s aware, they’re green again.
“When are we going over the Accords?” Steve asks, leaning against a nearby wall. He looks different. Older. Tired. Hell, is hair is longer and he’s got a beard that rivals Thor’s. Tony sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose.
“I don’t know, Cap,” Tony says, feeling a little confident with Rhodey and Vision on his side. He’s relieved that Barnes is still in Wakanda getting acclimated and that Clint and that ant guy is on house arrest otherwise he’d feel more panic since he’s faced against Steve, Sam, Wanda, and Natasha. “But I’m assuming it’s soon." Steve just nods and they all stand there awkwardly. That is until Friday’s voice permeates the air.
"Sir, Peter is on his way up.” Dammit, Tony thinks to himself, tensing up and exchanging glances with Rhodey. Vision’s eyes is currently focused on one Scarlet Witch, so no surprise there. “Boss,” Friday says, sounding worried. “It appears that Peter is in great distress.” Tony feels his face pale as the elevator doors ding open, revealing Peter huddled in the corner with his eyes scrunched up tight and his hands clamped over his ears.
“Rhodey!” Tony hisses at his best friend, gesturing for him to grab the sound canceling headphones and the modified sunglasses that let no light in at any of the sides. Tony runs to his kid while Rhodey grabs the sunglasses and headphones. “Hey, hey, Pete. Are you okay, kiddo?" Tony refrains from hugging the spiderling when he whimpers in pain, knowing that anything touching his skin will feel like sandpaper. He also ignores the worried and confused looks the Avengers are giving him as well as their whispers.
Rhodey hands him the glasses and headphones and Tony swiftly slips them over Peter’s head, wiping the tears off of his face as he does so. Peter almost immediately slumps against the back of the elevator in relief as his senses are almost completely blocked, his chest heaving as he attempts to breathe steadily. Tony just kneels in front of his kid, blocking the view of him from the rest of the Avengers. Eventually, Peter’s breathing turns normal and he reaches out for Tony, tired.
Tony pulls Peter up and he slumps against the man, his backpack thumping on the ground. Tony nods for Rhodey to grab it as he tenderly wraps his arm around the kid’s shoulders, steering him towards one of the bar stools by the kitchen counter. Peter’s backpack thumps beside him and Peter rests his head in his arms.
He looks up as Tony places a glass of water and extra strength pain medication in front of him and grabs it with a shaking hand, taking a few sips of it and downing the pills before resting his head in his arms again. "How long has this been going on?” Tony asks Peter, leaning on the counter in front of the kid. Peter doesn’t lift his head as he replies.
“Since lunch,” comes the muffled reply, making Tony close his eyes and breathe in a deep breath so he doesn’t explode.
“Kid, why didn’t you call me to come pick you up?” Tony says softly.
“Didn’t want to bother you,” Peter mutters, finally lifting up his head. “Sorry, Mr. Stark." Tony just rolls his eyes, walking around the counter and resting his hand on Peter’s shoulder as he steps in front of him.
"Don’t apologize, kid, you did nothing wrong,” Tony says, finally refocusing on the group of confused and worried individuals. “Now, head up to bed. You can meet everyone later." Peter peeks over Tony’s shoulder, his eyes widening in surprise.
"That’s the Avengers!” Peter hisses, looking back at Tony.
“That they are, kid, that they are,” Tony says, gesturing for the kid to follow him. “C'mon, you’re going to bed. You can meet them later.”
“But Mr. Stark!”
“Nope!” Tony says, grabbing Peter’s backpack and leading him into the elevator. “You’re going to bed." Peter just whines as the elevator doors close behind him, leaving Rhodey–because honestly, Vision’s too preoccupied looking at Wanda–all alone.
Everyone turns to the man with raised eyebrows. "Okay, who’s the kid?” Sam asks. “And what was all of that?" Rhodey just sighs, cursing Tony to the deepest pits of hell.
"That was Peter, Tony’s intern,” Rhodey says, waving off their disbelieving gazes. “He tends to have sensory overloads from time to time and you guys just happened to witness one." Everyone nods sympathetically.
"You can’t honestly think that the kid’s just an intern, can you?” Natasha asks, walking over to a nearby couch and plopping down in it. “I’ve never seen Tony act so paternal and he wouldn’t act that way without reason, especially around some of us." Rhodey just shrugs.
"A lot has changed since you’ve been gone." The room lapses into silence and the elevator door dings open, revealing Tony. He takes one look of all of the eyes on him and narrows his own pair at Rhodey who’s looking a little guilty.
"Nope. I’m not dealing with this, platypus,” he says, gesturing for Friday to close the elevator doors. Before anyone can say anything, he’s gone.