What's Needed
Steve woke up at 5:00 a.m., by habit, and stared down at his husband. Usually he'd go down to the gym and then for a run, but something was on his mind and he needed Tony's insight.
"Tony." He called, kissing his half-awake husband. Tony was never really able to actually sleep, afraid of the nightmares that came with closed eyes and an unsuspecting conscious.
"Mmmm." Was all the response he got. As expected. Tony had been down in his lab for days and still refused to go to sleep when Steve dragged him to bed, preffering to read, after all. His husband really was something else.
He felt bad forcing the sleep-deprived man to fully awaken, but it was urgent.
"Tony, it's serious....it's about Peter..." At that, the younger man's eyes opened and he sat up, face serious. He always got serious when it came to Peter. Very adult. Responsible. Like a dad.
"What's wrong with him?" He asked softly, watching as Steve climbed out the bed and paced the length of the room....it was never good when he paced.
"Steve....."
"Okay-Do you remeber when Riley said Peter was coming over?"
"Yeah it was like two in the morning.....and we were engaged in some pretty exciting activities." Tony added with a wink.
Steve ignored what Tony implied, continuing to voice his worries.
"Well.....he's still here."
"Okaaaay? The kid usually stays for like 2 days anyway. Unless his aunt is worried or something."
"Yeah but usually he'd come say hi and like try to sneak into the lab with you right?"
"Yeah....and?"
"It's been more than two days Tone, and Peter hasn't left Riley's room. Not to mention his aunt hasn't even messaged us. She usually would to check up on Peter right?"
"What do you mean? I'm not...I'm not following." Steve sighed. His nerves were getting the best of him.
"I know it's sort of an invasion of privacy of privacy but.....I asked Friday what happened to Peter and it showed me a recording-"
"Of?"
"I was getting to that....It-"
"She." Tony corrected.
"She....showed me Peter...crying...."
"Crying? Why? Was he injured? What happened? What-"
"I don't know Tony. No audio. But it got me thinking....Spiderman hasn't been very active....or active at all."
"Christ. The kids always active."
"I think....I think you should talk to him."
"Steve, if he wanted me to know he would've told me."
"Sometimes people need that extra push....you did. And Peter's alot like you."
"Yeah...he is....that's what scares me." Tony sighed, admitting defeat. He got out of bed and threw on some clothes, kissing his husband and moving out the door in one smooth motion.
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Tony knocked in Riley door and waited patiently for either of the teens he knew were behind the door to open it. Well as patiently as a billionaire that got everything he wanted or needed within a few seconds could be.
He waited approximately five seconds before knocking again. He heard shuffling and a muffled yell of 'Coming! Hold on!' before hearing more shuffling and-was that glass? Breaking? What the hell?
He was on the verge of knocking again when the door opened abruptly, revealing a breathless Riley.
"Hey uh da-To-Mr. Stark sir...." She cleared her throat standing up properly, "W-what brings you to my uh...domain this fine morning?" Why was Riley up at 5 o'clock in the morning? Uno.
Tony looked around, rather unimpressed, and stepped inside, closing the door behind him.
"You hid Peter, huh?"
"Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat? I don't know what you're talking about...."
"Mhm...Peter! I know you're here. Come on. We need to talk." Maybe he shouldn't have phrased it like that. Sounded like Peter was in trouble.
"Mr. Stark he's-" Riley was cut off by Peter stepping out of her walk-in closet, with his hoodie eating his frame.
"H-hi Mr. Stark..." Peter stuttered nervously wringing his hands. Tony sighed and pulled Peter under his arm, winking at Riley before walking out the room.
"What's going on with you, hm?"
"Oh i-it's nothing....."
"Kid, you know you can talk to me. Any of us. We just-I just wanna make sure you're good." Peter remained silent despite Tony's egging.
"Pete-"
"Aunt May died." Peter blurted out, stopping in his tracks to face Tony. Tony too stopped, staring at Peter in disbelief.
Sure the woman was around his age but he wasn't that old. Not to mention she looked healthy. And Tony knew nothing of her death. How did he know nothing? He should've been the first person by Peter's side. How did such vital information slip past him?
Tony sighed as tears started steaming down Peter's face.
"Come here..." Tony whispered, pulling Peter into his arms. Peter cried into his shoulder, arms wrapped around Tony in a deadly grip. He still couldn't believe what had happened.
His May, his beautiful, strong May, his hero, his idol, his family, gone, at the hands of cancer. Cancer. Peter was a superhero. He fought off flying people with alien tech, mutants, hell he fought off aliens. Yet, he couldn't fight a stupid fungus? For the most important person in his life? God. And he called himself a hero?
Tony remained silent, comforting hands feeling through his hair. He loved Riley. And she made him feel better. But Tony...he worked wonders. The man's touch was enough to make all his walls crumble. And though that wasn't what he wanted, that was what he really needed.