Chapter Text
“Tony, we have to get him home to the MedBay.” Bruce walked into the kitchen where Tony was refilling his coffee.
“You said it wasn’t safe.”
“It’s still not unless we get a helicopter equipped for transporting patients. It will not be cheap though and some of it may have to be under the table so they don’t expect their staff to be on the helicopter. The only risk I’m willing to take on Peter’s identity is the pilot. No one else.”
“Do whatever you have to do. I don’t care about the cost.”
“I’ll go make some calls.”
~
It wasn’t long before Tony was following Bruce and Peter into a helicopter. Bruce was still monitoring his son’s vitals but they would both breathe a bit easier when they made it to New York where Dr. Cho was waiting with her staff. She had been updated by Bruce on the situation and what measures had already been taken.
Peter blinked his eyes open, “Uncle Bruce? Don’t feel good.”
“I know, Bud.” Bruce squeezed his hand, “We’re going home and we’re going to be able to do more there. Promise.”
“Home?” Peter closed his eyes again but a hint of a smile crossed his lips.
Bruce put an oxygen mask over his nephews mouth and nose, “Let’s go. We don’t have time to waste.”
~
It felt like forever until Tony walked into the penthouse to shower and put on different clothes. He was giving himself five minutes while Bruce and Dr. Cho looked over Peter. They assured him Friday would make a big scene if anything went wrong and he could run back.
After he showered he put on sweats and a band t-shirt like he always did while relaxing around the house and headed back to the medway. He found the room bustling with activity and Peter was getting hooked up to wires and machines. He took a step back starting to breathe heavier. He could not have a panic attack right now. Peter needed him. He felt a pain in his chest and grabbed at it.
Dr. Cho glanced over, “Tony?”
He shook his head and his face twisted in a grimace.
“Bruce!” Dr. Cho yelled for his attention. They were both at Tony’s side in minutes.
It wasn’t long before Tony was hooked up to machines as well. Bruce would not leave his side even though they had concluded it was not a heart attack. It had just felt like one.“I’m fine.”
“Yeah.” Bruce rolled his eyes, “You’ve got to work on coping skills, man. You have a heart condition.”
“I just saw him and it felt like this was all my fault and suddenly I couldn’t breathe.” Tony sighed, “But you’re right. My kids need me.”
“I called Pepper and she and Morgan should be here soon.” Bruce reassured, “Peter’s also doing a lot better than he was in California. It just looks like a lot of machines because we’re keeping an eye on so many things at once. I promise I would tell you if we had a reason to panic.”
“It’s my job to keep him safe and I failed.” Tony finally started to voice the thoughts that had spiraled through his head since Peter got sick, “I’m his dad. He told me he didn’t trust me anymore. How did this all go so wrong so quick?”
“Listen Tony. Everybody makes mistakes but this wasn’t intentional. You didn’t plan for him to get sick. Peter also said that when he wasn’t feeling well and he was scared. I think we all just need to be a bit kinder to ourselves and others while we work through all of this.”
“Yeah okay.”
~
“Daddy!” Morgan ran at him and jump into his arms.
“HI bug.” Tony kissed the top of her head, “I take it you and mommy had a good flight home?”
“We did.” Pepper squeezed his shoulder, “Bruce called me.”
“I’m okay. It was just a little panic attack. Nothing to worry about.” Tony told his wife, “
“We’re talking more about this later when the kids aren’t around.”
Tony felt her squeeze a little harder. He had worried her, “I’m okay now. Promise.”
Pepper cleared her throat past emotion, “How’s Pete?”
“He’s doing a bit better. He’s on all sorts of medication. He’s hooked up to a lot of machines but Dr. Cho and Bruce have told me more than once it’s just making sure he’s making his recovery okay.”
“That’s good.” Pepper took one of the chairs in the lobby, “Why are we not in there?”
“I didn’t think he’d want us in there. I’m trying to avoid upsetting him.” Tony didn’t know the right thing in this situation. He just knew he didn’t want to make it any worse.
“We can’t just stay out here and avoid him.”
“Avoid who?” Rhodey walked into the MedBay lobby looking like he hadn’t slept in days.
“Uncle Rhodey!” Morgan squealed.
“Hi baby.” Rhodey picked her up and hugged her close, “How’s your brother?”
“He’s sick but daddy says he’s getting better.”
“This is good news.” Rhodey glanced at Tony and Pepper, “So who are we avoiding?”
“Peter.” They both answered but Tony added, “He’s mad at us.”
“He’s a teenager. They are supposed to be mad at their parents.” Rhodey rolled his eyes and passed Morgan over to Tony, “I’ll go check on him.”
~
“Uncle Rhodey?” Peter woke up to his Uncle looking at something on his phone, “What are you doing here?”
“Keeping an eye on my favorite nephew.” He answered putting his phone away, “Do you really not want your parents in here, Pete?”
“Huh?” Peter’s face was puzzled.
“They said you’re mad at them.”
“I am but I never said they couldn’t come in here. Is dad okay? Everyone keeps saying he is but if he was then he’d be here right? You’d tell me if he died, right?” Peter’s eyes welled with tears,
“He grabbed his chest, Uncle Rhodey. I think I killed him.”
“Woah.” Rhodey squeezed his nephew’s hand, “Your dad is very much alive. He’s just anxious you don’t want him in here because of everything that’s happened recently.”
“What? He’s my dad. Of course I want him in here.” Peter felt a tear leak down.
“I’ll get him for you.” Rhodey brushed some hair out of Peter’s eyes, “Try to breathe. He’s okay, kiddo. I promise.”
~
“Hey.” Tony hung by the door, “Rhdoey said you needed me.”
“Dad?” Peter started to cry, “I thought you died.”
Tony moved to sit by Peter wiping his tears, “Oh Roo. You can’t get rid of me that easily.”
Peter hugged his dad, “I’m so sorry we fought. Please don’t leave me.”
“I’m never leaving you again, kid.”
~
Weeks later.
“Dad! I can’t find my textbook!” Peter yelled through the penthouse, “And I forgot to do my homework this weekend so I need to do it on the way to school.”
“You said what about your priorities?” Tony came out of the kitchen eating a bowl of cereal.
“He didn’t have none.” Morgan said.
“Correct. Well close enough.” Tony rolled his eyes, “You’re not cramming homework into a car ride. Go to school, talk to your teachers but this is what you get for making poor choices. I’ll find your textbook while you’re gone.”
“No Spider-Man for a bit?” Peter frowned.
“People make mistakes and I’m going to give you a pass but I want to see homework is completed every night until I’m confident you can complete it without me looking over your shoulder.”
“But you’ll find my textbook?”
“We’re supposed to be leaving, guys!” Happy came into he penthouse, “And Morgan is still in pajamas! Where’s Pepper?”
“Work.” All three answered.
“We’re going to be late.”
“I’ll help Morgan find clothes.” Peter took his sister’s hand.
“I’m going to find a snack for them. They like second breakfast.” Tony went back to the kitchen.
Happy followed, “I knew you’d make the right decision. You love your kids too much for anything less.”
Tony smiled, “What’s not to love?”
~
And just like that life went back to normal for the Stark family. School, work, travel, oh and a little superhero-ing on the side. It wasn’t perfect. There would be future mistakes but as long as they were together they were confident they would make it through.