Chapter Text
After Peter washed up and got changed into comfy clothes, Peter joined Tony and Pepper in their room. Tony created a make shift bed next to the California King. Peter with red and drowsy eyes shuffled over to the air mattress and flopped down. Pepper nor Tony asked Peter if he'd want to sleep in their room, but it was clear this was what Peter needed.
"Goodnight sweet heart" said Pepper.
"Goodnight May" Peter replied in a half awake remark, unaware of what he just said. Pepper gave Tony a sympathetic look before switching off the bedside lamp.
The next morning Tony was the first one to wake up. He glanced over the side of the bed and saw Peter was still passed out on his stomach on the air mattress. Warmth filed his heart when he saw that Peter had some drool coming out of his mouth.
'Gosh the kid must've really needed a good nights rest. I wonder how well he has been sleeping in his own room?' thought Tony.
Tony looked over at his wife and saw her in similar state. He smiled and slowly crawled out of bed and softly walked out the bed room. Walking down the hall and down the stairs to the common space, Tony decided to go start a pot of coffee. However, as he entered the kitchen, Clint was standing in the doorway smiling twirling Pepper's bra on his finger,
"Lose something last night?" he asked with a laugh.
Tony snatched the bra out of his hand, "Oh I'm surprise you remember what this is! Seeing how you haven't gotten any in decades?"
Clint just rolled his eyes and said, "Oh I have proof remember. Or did you forget I have three biological children? This is strike two Tony. The next time I find another undergarment in the EATING area of the penthouse I'm texting the whole group." Clint laughed and left the common space.
"I am really scared now Legolas! Yikes not a text!" Tony yelled after him sarcastically.
He grabbed a cup of Joe and his laptop then plopped down on the couch. Starting some research, Tony searched "helping a teenager with trauma" and "teenage bedwetting-trauma". The search results were many parenting blogs and discussion boards websites. Funnily enough the most helpful website was Redditt.
Tony clicked on a discussion board titled "Advise for parents with a child who has trauma" and he began to read.
A short hour later Pepper joined him on the couch, "Good morning hun, what are you reading?" asked Pepper.
"Just doing parenting research."
"I'm assuming you already know we need to find Peter a therapist or teenage psychologist."
"Yes, and I also learned a few tips to help with his nightly accidents. One mom here has linked a few additional resources that helped her 13 year old daughter." Tony pointed to his laptop screen.
"Do you think Peter would be interested in speaking to Sam? I know he has helped other teenagers and young adults."
"I wouldn't know unless we ask him. I'd like to debrief after last night once Peter gets up." Tony replied. "Oh and Clint found your bra. Threaten to text the group if it happens again."
Pepper just slapped him over the head, "greattt how embarrassing Ton."
Closer to noon, Peter woke up and the three of them had a discussion about last night. Peter ended up sharing that he's been struggling with panic attacks since he moved into the tower a few months back. Additionally, a few of his panic attacks had been brought on after horrific nightmares about 'not saving' May. This should have came to a shock to Tony, but after he learned from a few teammates that they thought Peter was experiencing these attacks, Tony was oddly relieved that Peter was being so open with his mental health.
Pepper had a few remarks and questions for Peter, "So sweetheart, I am happy that you feel comfortable to share with Tony and I, but why did you feel the need to hide your attacks and sleeping problems for months? I want you to know this is a safe place and you're stuck with us whether or not you like."
"To be honest," Peter slowly replied, "I have bounced from 4 different homes in the last 15 years, I was scared that something like being "mentally unstable" would have sent me to a 5th home. I just wish I could have been the normal teen that you all thought moved in, but I can't keep up with the lies."
Tears began to roll down his cheeks, "I guess what I'm trying to say is, I need help and I want to feel normal again."
Tony scooted closer to Peter and pulled him into his side. "Peter, we are so proud of you. To be honest, watching you struggle, whether or not you think you were hiding it from us, is hard for Pepper and I to watch. I'm so happy you felt safe this morning to have this conversation."
"How would you feel about talking to Sam? Not only is he a war hero, Sam has years of counseling experience. I called him this morning and I mentioned that I was looking for a therapist. I didn't tell him it was for you, but I think he put the pieces together." explained Tony.
"That would make sense, I did run into Sam one night washing my sheets."
"Yeah, I know kid. He told me and we were concerned."
"Sure, I'll have a discussion with him as long as it doesn't effect how I'm treated with other teammates." Peter replied sounding a bit relieved.
"Pete, you know Sam would not be disclosing anything you tell him to Cap or Nat or whoever, that includes Pep and I. And if the team suspects you're seeing a therapist, no one is going to judge. You know, we all speak to therapist."
"You do? But you're IRONman."
Tony chuckled, "Exactly kid, I am Ironman. You don't think that role takes a toll on my health? Pepper here wouldn't have agreed to marry me unless I opened up to a professional."
"It's true," joined in Pepper, "I didn't force him to speak to someone, but I clearly suggested it. I'm no professional but I knew that it would be challenging to be married to him if I was the only one counseling him through this thoughts."
Peter looked between the two of them, "Well I won't say I'm not nervous, but I will say this is the first time in while that I actually feel relaxed."
It would be a long road to recovery, but the commitment to start is the first step!
THANK you to everyone who read, left comments and gave me kuddos for my first fan fic story! My 2024 year has and will continue to be a busy one. I want to write a follow up story on Peter's road to recovery, but for now I thought I'd give my viewers a ending.