Capítulo 14: Chapter 14
Peter woke up feeling tired and sore all over. He opened his eyes and panicked for a moment when he couldn't see anything. Was he blind?
What happened?
His mind felt sluggish, and it took Peter a few moments for his brain to catch up.
He remembered going to school. He didn't feel great. He had a headache. Then...he'd had a Sensory Overload.
Tony had come for him. He'd found him in the closet and taken him out of school. Now Tony knew about his Sensory Overload. That wasn't good.
After that everything was fuzzy...
Peter didn't even know where he was.
"Mr Parker glad you are awake. How are you feeling?" FRIDAY said softly, barely above a whisper.
"FRIDAY?" Peter frowned sitting up; "Erm can you turn on the lights?"
The lights came on slowly and only slightly enough to just about illuminate the room.
"Does this mean you are feeling better Mr Parker?"
"Yeah. Just tired." Peter murmured as he pushed the covers off him and sat up, swinging his legs over the edge of the bed; "And call me Peter." It was true, all his senses seemed to be back to normal. He was able to control his senses again, and there was no sounds coming from outside the room. His skin felt normal again. Peter let out a sigh of relief at feeling like himself again. The pain he had felt was unlike nothing he'd ever experienced before. It was unbearable. That must have been why he passed out. It was an exceptionally bad one. Peter was just glad it was over.
As his mind cleared he turned his attention to the room. Next to the bed was a bedside table with a lamp and a photo of him and May. Then there was a desk across the room with a high tech computer, and a table set up in the corner with a Star Wars Lego box sitting on the top unopened.
"FRIDAY. What is this place?"
"Your bedroom."
"Mine?"
"Mr Stark set it up after your first meal here for you to stay over."
"So I'm at Tony's house?"
"Yes Peter."
Peter nodded. That made sense.
"And where is Tony?"
"Currently on his way to you. He asked to be notified when you woke up."
"Oh."
Before Peter could plan what he was going to say to Tony, the door slowly opened and the man himself walked in carrying a tray.
As soon as Peter saw Tony's face he had a flash of last night. And he remembered everything he said to Tony about being an accident and a burden.
Oh god.
Peter gulped seeing the stern look on Tony's face. He looked pissed. Maybe this was where Tony kicked him out.
"Hey kid." Tony offered a small smile, so relieved to see Peter finally awake; "You hungry? Thirsty?" He held the tray up and Peter nodded.
"Now that you mention it."
Tony set the tray down on the bed beside Peter, who glanced down seeing a glass of orange juice and a sandwich.
"Thanks."
Tony pulled the chair out from under the desk to opposite Peter, and sat down studying him. It was during his movement, that Peter noticed Tony's hand was bandaged.
"What happened to your hand?"
Tony held it up hesitating; "Oh nothing. Just a work thing."
Peter a few flashes of memories of Tony holding his hand at his beside, saying reassuring things to him. Narrowing his eyes Peter gulped; "Did I do that?"
"Kid..."
"I did. Didn't I?"
"It doesn't matter."
"I'm so sorry. Sometimes when this happens I lose control of my powers and..."
"I said it doesn't matter." Tony interrupted firmly, and then softened; "How are you feeling?" Tony wanted to deal with what Peter said. But he needed to make sure Peter was ok first. And Peter may not remember what he said last night.
Fine." Peter replied as he tucked into the sandwich.
"Great. So how are you really feeling?"
Peter paused seeing the stern look on Tony's face and sighed realising he wasn't going to let it go; "Tired." Peter finally confessed; "A bit sore all over. But better."
Tony nodded slowly before leaning forward resting his forearms on his legs; "How much do you remember?"
Peter put the sandwich down as he spoke; "I was at school. I had a headache.."
"You mean Sensory Overload." Tony corrected and Peter glanced at him gulping; "Yeah kid I know all about it. Your friend Ned called me, told me you've had these before but not as bad as this. Why didn't you tell me?"
Peter had to looked away he couldn't bare seeing the anger and disappointment on Tony's face; "I didn't want you to worry. I could handle it." Hmm so instead I had to break into your school and find you hiding in a closet, in so much pain you couldn't even speak! You almost blacked out kid. I had to take you to the Tower and get a doctor to help you."
"A doctor?" Peter's eyes widened; "But.."
Tony held up a hand closing his eyes; "Yes she knows, but she's the Avengers doctor and she'd signed an NDA. She wont say anything. Now don't change the subject. I want to know why you didn't tell me. And why you didn't tell your Aunt. Who is just as worried and angry as I am by the way."
Peter shrugged avoiding his gaze. He really didn't want to have this conversation right now.
"Where is May?"
Tony hesitated, not liking Peter was changing the subject again and he wanted to push. But Peter still looked pale and after what Dr Helen said about stress and exhaustion, Tony didn't want to add to that; "She's back at the apartment. She's came by this morning, but you were still sleeping. She was going to check in on you later."
"Do you have any idea how scared I was seeing you like that? Seeing you in so much pain and I had no idea what was wrong or how to help you."
Peter looked up surprised; "You were?"
"Of course I was. Dammit kid I'm your father. I'm always worried about you." Tony snapped and Peter looked down uncomfortably. Tony sighed remembering to restrain himself from yelling. He needed to take this slow. So he changed tactics.
"The doctor said Sensory Overload can be caused by stress and exhaustion, and that's why it was so bad this time. Want to talk about it?"
"Not really."
Tony counted to ten in his head; "I think we need to kid." He softened his expression; "You know you can talk to me about anything. I'm your dad." Tony didn't want to mention about Peter calling him dad, he seemed to not remember being at SI so he may not remember; "Why haven't you been sleeping?"
Peter shrugged; "Just a few nightmares."
"About?" Tony prompted hoping this would get him to open up.
"Don't remember." Peter mumbled and Tony huffed, running a hand over his chin. This was going to be harder than he thought.
"I think you do." Tony said softly; "Do you remember what you said last night? Because I sure as hell do."
Peter stilled and Tony knew. The kid did remember.
"It doesn't matter." Peter finally mumbled hoping Tony would drop it.
"Yes it does." Tony paused leaning forward trying to catch Peter's eyes; "Why didn't you tell me how you felt?"
Peter shrugged still avoiding his gaze.
"Peter." Tony said sharply before softening; "Kid look at me."
Slowly, Peter looked up at him, and Tony saw the fear in the kid's eyes. This was Tony's one chance to get through to Peter, he couldn't screw it up.
"It's time we straighten some things out kid. First of all, don't you ever, ever say that you are a mistake or an accident again. Because it is not true! You hear me. Neither are you a burden. I am not being your father out of guilt or obligation or whatever else you might think, I am your dad because I want to be. And second of all, don't you ever keep something like Sensory Overload from me again. You hear me? I can't protect you if you if you don't tell me what's going on."
Peter just stared at him, and for a moment Tony wondered if he had been too harsh.
"Look. Here." Tony said quickly pulling out a black plastic case with the SI logo and handed it to Peter.
"What's this?" Peter said hesitant to take it.
Tony flipped it open revealing a pair of glasses and two in-ear earpieces. This time when Tony held it out. Peter took the case.
Peter pulled out the glasses. They looked just like the glasses Tony wore; "I don't understand."
"Put them on."
Peter paused before slipping them on. Immediately as he did images appeared on the lenses like a computer screen.
"Hello Peter." It was FRIDAY.
"FRIDAY?" Peter frowned totally confused.
"Say activate Nightlight."
"Nightlight?" Peter repeated furrowing his brow in annoyance. But then the lenses suddenly dimmed going pitch black for a moment so he couldn't see a single thing. And then the lenses started to show images again, but it was all slightly pixelated and it was like he could only see in black and white. It was like night vision."
"Woah." Peter said as he glanced around.
Tony smirked; "Like it? Put the earpieces in."
Peter did as he asked curiously. He slipped them in his ear and it was like the world went silent,
Tony started speaking again but Peter couldn't hear him. At all. But then it was like subtitles in a movie, as words started to appear across the bottom of the lenses.
Well what do you think?
"This is amazing." Peter murmured, and then he pulled the glasses off and took the earpieces out; "Did you make these?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"For you. For your safety. Those sunglasses and headphones you were wearing were so pathetic they didn't do anything to help. These will actually protect your eyes and ears by completely blocking out all light and sound. And you can wear them at school, your teachers won't tell you to take them off because they look like normal glasses. Then there is this." Tony paused pulling out another smaller box, and he pulled a watch from inside; "Give me your wrist."
Peter obliged and Tony strapped it Peter's wrist.
"What's this?"
"A watch." Tony quipped, and Peter raised an eyebrow; "It also has FRIDAY built inside so she can monitor your vitals and alert me if this ever happens again, or you get in trouble. I've also installed a panic button. If you're ever in trouble or hurt you just tap it twice and I'll come immediately." Tony then sent Peter a look; "Don't ever take it off."
"But...why?" Peter murmured confused.
"Because I want you safe."
Peter stared at Tony, seeing the concern in his eyes, but Peter didn't feel right accepting these gifts; "This is really not necessary..."
"Yes it is. And don't even think of refusing. This isn't a gift. This is for your health and safety, and it is non-negotiable. You will take them and you will use them."
Ok." Peter finally said hearing the finality in Tony's voice, and realised he didn't have a choice in the matter.
"Good. And we will be talking more about your Sensory Overloads. Once you're feeling better."
"Why are you doing all this?" Peter had to ask.
"What?"
"This." Peter gestured at the room; "Making me my own room, buying me lots of gifts, giving me these." Peter held up the glasses and earpieces; "You don't have to."
"I know I don't have to. I want to."
"Why?"
"Because...you're my son." Tony said simply unsure what answer Peter was looking for.
"That's what I thought." Peter looked down dejected and Tony frowned. What had he said wrong.
"Is there a problem with that?"
Peter sighed; "Well I mean you're only doing all this because you're my dad."
"Ok? And..."
"And you wouldn't be doing all this if you hadn't found out you I was your son. Let's face it before you found out you barely saw me. You handed me off to Happy who refused to answer my messages."
"Peter..."
"It's ok." Peter finally said a small smile and a shrug; "You don't have to lie to me anymore. I know you don't want me as your son. I mean why would you?"
"Peter!" Tony said stunned; "That is not true." Tony could see Peter really didn't believe he wanted to be his dad. "What else can I do to prove to you that I want to be your dad? And not out of obligation."
Looking at Tony now, Peter wondered if he was telling the truth. That he really wanted to be his dad. Had he been wrong about everything?
"Look kid I know you're angry." Tony started; "Don't deny it. I can see it all over your face. So just lay it on me."
"What?"
"You're angry. Just yell at me. Let it all out."
"I'm not angry at you." Peter said confused.
"But you are angry." Tony realised; "Why?"
"It's not fair." Peter mumbled.
"What isn't?"
"This." Peter waved his hand at Tony and went silent. Tony wanted to ask what he meant, but he kept his mouth shut giving Peter time to open up. If he spoke it might cause Peter to clamp up.
"My whole life I've dreamt about my parents." Peter continued looking down at his hands as he twirled the glasses between his fingers; "I was only a baby when they died. May told me about them, but it wasn't the same. I didn't know them. And then I see all these other kids with their parents, and I realise I never had that. May was great, she was always there for me, and it was kinda like having a mom, but it wasn't the same as having parents. Not like having a dad. So I dreamt about them. What they were like. The stuff we would have done if they had been alive. And then the world was introduced to Iron Man. And I finally found hope. You were this big hero who saved the world." Peter paused smiling at him then looked down at him; "It's like I didn't feel alone anymore. And I got all the Iron Man stuff, pretending I was a hero like you. I even used to imagine you would turn up one day, save me and take me away and raise me as your son." Tony's eyes widened and Peter scoffed
I know just some kid's fantasy. But the point is I could have had all that!" Peter huffed standing up pacing; "I could have had a dad! You saved me at the Expo and you gave me my suit... You were right there and I didn't know it! Because I was lied to my entire life. I just...I feel cheated. So yes I'm angry. Because I was alone, jealous of everyone who had a mother, a father and having to accept I would never have that. That my parents would never be there to see me grow up. And then I find out about you...and I finally have a dad...but it's too late, because you're already married about to start your own family, and I'm older, damaged and a mistake."
Wow. That was a lot to take in. The kid had really been bottling up a lot. Tony felt smug to know that Peter had dreamt of him being his dad as a kid. Now atleast he understood what was going on in Peter's head.
But he had to focus. Peter needed a dad right now; "I'm so sorry you had to go through all that Peter. But I am so proud of who you've become. You are incredibly brave and tougher than you think. And it kills me that I missed 15 years of your life. That I wasn't there for your first word, your first steps, to play catch with you, to see you grow up. Because I wanted to be there. Believe me if I could go back and be there for you growing up I would be. You're my son, and I am so angry too that you were kept from me. I've missed too much of your life kid, I don't want to miss anymore. I got you this stuff to try and make up for not being there, I know it can't but I had to try. I have no idea how to be a dad, but you have to believe I am telling the truth when I say I would love nothing more than to be your dad. You are an amazing kid, and honestly every day I look at you and I wonder how you could be my son. Because you are already a better man than I am."
"But you're always going to be my son, even if Pepper and I had kids, that will never change the fact that I am your dad. I'm not going anywhere kid. But you need to understand something...you are 100% not a mistake or a burden. In actual fact, in all the things I've created and built, you are the best thing I have ever made. I love you kid."
There it was. Tony laid it all out on the table. He wasn't sure what else he could say to make Peter believe him. And he waited. For a moment Peter just stared at him with wide eyes. Now Tony wondered if he pushed too hard.
"I love you too...dad." Peter finally replied, his eyes wet and a small smile on his face.
Tony was overcome with so much relief, and happiness. He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Peter pulling him into a hug. Peter hesitated for only a second before putting his arms around Tony too.
It felt like a huge weight was taken off Peter. And he felt nothing but happiness. He finally had a dad. A dad who wanted him and loved him. He felt stupid for thinking otherwise.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you any of this sooner." Peter mumbled against Tony's chest, afraid to let go of his dad; "I guess I was afraid how you'd react."
Tony pulled back to look at Peter and he patted his shoulder; "You shouldn't be afraid to talk to me. About anything. That's what dad's are for."
"So you're not mad?"
Tony smirked; "Oh I am mad that you didn't tell me about the Sensory Overload. We're going to be talking about that. But I'm more relieved you're safe kid. I swear though you are going to be the death of me, all this worrying. Just try to careful. I couldn't bare something happening to you."
"Ok." Peter nodded.
"Just to clarify. You're not hiding anything else from me are you? Because now's the time..."
Peter paused thinking. There was something he wanted to mention; "There is one thing. The gifts..."
"You don't like them." Tony dropped his hands hurt.
"No I do." Peter said quickly; "It's just...it all must have cost a lot of money." Peter wrung his hands.
"So?" Tony shrugged and then caught Peter's face and realised how arrogant that sounded and he rephrased; "I have a lot of money kid, I've earned it and I can spend it how I like. And I want to buy my son things I wasn't able to buy him growing up. So you're just going to have to accept that I'm going to buy you stuff. And yes some of it may be expensive."
Peter nodded, hearing it that way it didn't sound too bad; "Just...no expensive cars. I can't even drive yet, and even when I can I don't feel comfortable driving something that expensive."
"Hmm guess I'll have to return that Ferrari I bought you." Tony muttered and Peter's eyes bugged out.
"Ferrari?!"
"Just kidding kid." Tony chuckled; "Jeez your face. I wouldn't buy you a car when you can't even drive yet."
"Ok good." Peter sagged with relief.
Mental note: Get FRIDAY to delete his web searches on Ferrari's.
"So now that I'm better are you going to send me home?" Peter asked dragging Tony's attention back.
"Do you want to go home?"
"...No. I was hoping to hang out with you some more dad. Maybe finish the Falcon?"
Tony couldn't help but grin hearing Peter call dad again. It was his new favourite word.
"You're welcome to stay as long as you like kid, whenever you want. That's why I made up your own room. Now come on. Pepper's been worried about you, she'll be so relieved you're ok."
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