twelve.
Peter left the room and each of the adults looked at one another in a mix of shock and worry.
Peter was too willing to be hurt in place of another member, and it was a bit scary to think about. Knowing that Peter would rather be hurt than let anyone else be hurt was either heartwarming or heartbreaking. To know that Peter would gladly take a bullet for any member of the team was frightening enough, because how many of them would say the same? How many members of the team would take a bullet for another? Natasha would, as would Steve and Bucky. Sam admits that it wouldn't be the first time, and God knows Clint would do it in a heartbeat.
But Tony Stark could not with 100% certainty say that he would take a bullet for any one member of this team.
Sam felt horrible about this whole thing. He'd taken to blaming himself the moment Bucky revealed that Peter had even been injured in the first place. Peter swung between Sam and the Hydra agent. Based on the way the gun was angled, Sam wouldn't have made it out of there alive. Sam's life had been saved by a tiny 15-year-old in spandex and he'd never been more grateful and saddened at the same time.
Once Steven had told them all that Peter was lucky to even be alive, that by some miracle the bullet had missed anything important, Sam knew that he now owed this child his life, even though said child would never say anyone owed him anything.
For everyone to see just how willing Peter was to save another teammate was refreshing... But the manner in which he saved them wasn't refreshing at all. This whole scenario was the kind of refreshing that came with opening a fresh bottle of water, only to realize the water is hot.
'If the only thing I can do for the team is take a bullet, then so be it' he said. His words kept playing on a loop in Tony's head. Tony realized that Peter was right, he did give them the information, so it was partly his fault.
He got the child he swore to protect injured. And then he tried to blame Steve. He turned to the blonde.
"I'm sorry."
Steve just scoffed a little. "As you should be. I'm not the one you need to be apologizing to."
Tony knew that Steve was right, just like he usually was. With a sigh, he left the medical bay to go and find where Peter had run off too. "Friday, locate Spider-Boy for me will you?"
The AI quickly responded. "Mr. Parker is in his bedroom. His heart rate appears to be elevated."
Without another word, Tony made for the teen's bedroom. Despite the sound-proof walls, Tony knew Peter was upset. Just as Tony was about to knock, Friday spoke in a hushed voice. "Mr. Stark, I find it imperative to warn you that Mr. Parker has just fallen asleep."
Tony lowered his hand. "Open the door for me, Friday."
Since the AI knew just how important it was that Peter got his sleep, she opened the door as quietly as possible. Tony slipped into the room, and Friday closed the door behind him.
Tony looked down at the teen where he slept. He was curled up into a tight ball, blankets bunched at the foot of his bed. He shook his head and pulled the covers over Peter and sat on the end of the bed with his back against the wall. He watched the web-slinger as he slept, strands of hair falling into his face and sighed.
"I'm here Peter... And I'm sorry."