Chapter Text
Peter’s point of view
“Hey Peter, you got a minute?” The voice on the other end of the phone says. Tony. He may have been on the other side of a phone but it felt to Peter like he was right next to him.
Peter paused. Should he just hang up. Drop the phone. Run forever. No. Then he would have iron man on his tail. He needed more time to escape into the shadows. “Sure I guess, whatcha need?” he answered trying to sound as normal as he could.
Peter heard Tony let out a breath. Had he been holding his breath?
“Do you want to come to the compound?” Tony paused “I need to finish the new Stark phone but I don’t know what else to add, you're a teenager and spend a lot of time on the phone, so I was wondering if you would help?”
Peter really didn't know what to say now. It was clear that Tony was lying. But why? Did May find out he was gone? Did she tell Tony? Was this all a big trap to get him to go to a mental asylum!
“Sorry Tony. Ummmm. I can't. Yeah….. May needs some help so got to go. Bye!” Peter said quickly. It hurt to lie. To pretend that everything was okay. To pretend that he wanted to do anything but go to the compound and sleep forever.
But he couldn't.
He slowly moved his thumb to hang up. He didn't want to. He knew that this would probably be the last time he ever spoke to Tony.
Before he could hang up though. Tony's voice came from the other side. 7 words and his blood ran cold.
“Peter. I know you aren't at home.”
Peter gasped. His mind fumbled for an excuse, a lie, anything really. “What do you mean Tony” he asked quickly. Hoping that Tony was joking. Hoping that everything was going to turn out okay. That he wasn't going to end up in an asylum or being experimented on.
He needed to lie. But he had a problem. Because how do you lie to someone when they are the only person you can trust to tell you the truth? How do you push someone away when they are the only thing stopping you from falling apart?
“Peter.” Tony said simply. “I have them all. I found 1.”
Peter gasped sharply as Tony's words registered. And just like that, all Peter's fight was gone.
“I'm sorry” Peter said quietly “I need to tell you something. But not here. Not over the phone.” He didn't want to say anything. He really didn't. But he had made a promise. If Tony found all 10, he would tell him the truth.
“It's ok!” Tony quickly assured “I'll come and pick you up.”
A question formed on Peter's lips. “Do you even know where I am?” But the question died before it left Peter's mouth. He was too tired to question anything. “Ok. I'll be here.” He said instead.
He heard his voice break. He felt tears fall down his face. He heard his breath catch. But he didn't care. He had more important things to worry about. Like how he was going to finally tell Tony the truth after lying for so long.
“It's ok Peter” He heard Tony mutter and the tell tale sound of the iron man suit “I'll be there soon.” Peter found his voice calming. It would be okay. They could make it okay. Together.
Peter felt the cold of the night soak into his bones. The weight of the truth pushed on his shoulders and his fear filled his mind.
‘You can’t tell anyone’
Georges voice filled Peter’s mind
‘If you do. I’ll hurt them instead’
‘They will hate you’
‘They will realise how weak you are’
Before he even realised it he was curled on the ground crying into his knees.
‘No one cares’
Then Tony was there. Hugging Peter. Muttering “it's okay” over and over.
And it would be. But first he had to tell the truth. First he needed to talk to Tony.
“Tony.” He started quietly “There's something I need to tell you.”
“It's okay Peter. It will all be okay.” Tony said, certainty filling his voice. Assuring Peter that it really would be okay.
Peter didn’t register the flight back to the compound. Didn’t register taking the lift up to the living levels. Didn’t register sitting on the sofa. Didn’t register anything until he was sat on the sofa, a blanket around his shoulders and Tony sitting next to him.
‘I’ll hurt them and it will be your fault’
‘All your fault’
‘And they will know it is your fault’
Tony was talking. But what was he saying?
Peter needed to concentrate. Concentrate on the present. On the now. On Tony.
“Peter? You okay kid?”
Peter carefully shook away the memories. Shook his fear away. Ignored the nagging fear in his mind.
“Tony.” He started. How could he word this. He opened his mouth. Tried to force the words out. Nothing came.
“It’s ok” Tony said. He sounded sincere. “How about I ask questions. You can just answer.”
Peter nodded. Answering questions. He could do that.
“The thing you need to tell me. Is this what the countdown was for?” Tony started.
Peter nodded his head. He could do this.
‘ You can’t tell anyone’
He ignored George’s voice.
“Is it to do with George?”
Another nod. This one more violent. It had everything to do with George.
Tony rubbed a hand over his eyes tiredly. This was clearly going to be a long night. Peter couldn't help but agree.
‘No one will believe you’
“Can you help me out here? I'm kind of stuck.” Tony asked eventually. Peter knew the truth. Tony couldn't suggest something as evil. Tony couldn't think of an innocent explanation.
Peter nodded. Again. And opened his mouth. But the words stuck in his throat, he couldn't speak, couldn't move, couldn't think.
All he could do was pull his top up and roll his sleeves. Revealing bruises, cuts, scars. Everything.
He saw Tony's eyes go wide.
He hates you. He knows the truth now. Knows how weak you are.
“Was this George?” Tony chokes out. His eyes filled with unshod tears as he looked at Peter.
This time Peter found his voice. “Yes” he whispered.
“Why…” Tony stopped. Took a deep breath and started again. “Why didn't you tell anyone! I could have helped.” The tears started falling.
Peter felt his heart break. Tony was nothing but nice to him, and now he was crying. Because of Peter and his stupid decisions.
“Why Peter?” Tony asked again.
Peter laughed a bitter noise “you know what they say, fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice shame on me.”
“No” Tony said. His voice steeled. His eyes ablaze with anger. “No. It's not your fault.”
He saw Peter's unsure look. He saw Peter's disbelief.
“It's. Not. Your. Fault.” he said again, his tone leaving no room for debate. “Now. We need to tell May.”
Peter choked on air. “No. No. We can't. I won't.” Peter looked at Tony. He couldn't tell May. He couldn't let her take the guilt. Couldn't let her blame herself for Peter's weakness. “Please” he whispered.
“I'm sorry Peter.” Tony said. Peter could tell from his tone that he was being sincere. “But we have to. We can't let this go on. I can't let this go on.”
Peter thought for a moment. He still didn't want to tell May. She had finally been happy, living with George. “She was happy” he whispered “I can't ruin her happiness!”
“No Peter” Tony replied “no. She thought she was happy. But she couldn't be happy. Not with a liar. Not when George was doing this. George is a monster Peter. We can't let him win”
Peter was still unsure. But Tony was right. George was a monster. What if he turned on May? It was Peter's juty to make sure no one else got hurt.
“Ok” he said “but you have to come with me. I'm not going alone.”
Tony turned and stared straight into Peter's eyes “as if I'd let you within 10 meters of that monster alone.”
Peter smiled slightly at that. He was safe. Tony would keep him safe.
“But before we go, one last thing Peter?” Tony asked quickly.
Peter who had already started reluctantly standing up, turned back to Tony “What is it?”
“Umm… Smashed plates?” Tony asked confused and Peter felt the colour drain from his face.
“It wasn’t me, i promise, i don’t need to go to a mental asylum!” Peter yelped quickly.
“Don’t worry.” Tony said simply. “Just tell me what actually happened”
Peter thought for a minute “Ok. But then you tell me what you were told.”
Tony nodded in agreement.
“Ok. So. I was having a good day and had spent the day with May. This angered George but when he started,” here he paused and gestured to his arms “I fought back. So he wacked me with a fire poker.” Peter saw Tony’s wide eyes so tried to wrap his story up as quickly as he could, “I escaped to my room and sent you ‘2’ and heard smashing, when I went back through he was smashing plates. I think he told May I went crazy to cover up why he had bruises.”
Tony looked shocked, but he clearly believed Peter. He didn’t think he was crazy. Peter breathed out a sigh of relief. If Tony hadn’t believed him than he wouldn’t have told anyone else. Tony was his only way out and it seemed like Tony wanted to help. Tony wanted him to get out.
“Ok.” Tony spoke up “My turn. So earlier, just before i started ringing you, May called me. She said that you had gone out, she didn’t know where, and now you were covered in injuries, like you had been in a fight” Tony skrewed up his face a bit before continuing “Apparently George tried to calm you down and then you attacked him. She said you were gone and then I promised to find you.”
Peter nodded. He had been expecting something along those lines. Something which painted George as the perfect hero and Peter as the villain.
“Thank you” he whispered “thank you Tony” he didn't say what he was thankful for. He didn't say why. He didn't say anything else. But Tony knew.
Tony knew why he was being thanked. He was being thanked for believing Peter. For trusting him. For promising to keep him safe.
Together they walked to the car and got in. Tony in the front driving, Peter riding shotgun.
Peter picked at his nails as they drove. Had he done the right thing. Had he made the right choice. Was he wrong. Was it really as bad as he thought?
Almost as though Tony could read his mind, he spoke up “Your doing the right thing Peter” he said simply “you need to tell May. This can't continue.”
The normally long drive between the compound and Peter's house disappeared in what felt like seconds and all too soon they were pulling up outside.
“Ready Peter?” Tony asked
Peter took a deep breath in “as I will ever be.” He answered. It was a lie. He wasn’t ready. But, to be fair, he would never be ready. Because what was he getting ready for? To ruin May’s bubble of happiness? To show her that the world was as cruel as she used to think it was? To show her what her love had done to Peter? She would blame herself, and Peter would never be ready to do that to May.
Together, Peter and Tony walked into Peter’s apartment building.
Together, they took the lift up to the correct floor.
Together, hey knocked on May’s door. On Peter’s door.
“Hello” May said politely as she opened the door. Then she saw who it was. “Peter!” She gasped, pulling him into a hug “Peter i’ve been so worried, where were you!”
Peter looked up. He saw the redness of May’s eyes. The wobble in her voice. The pain she hid with a relieved smile. He had done that. And he hadn’t even said anything about George yet.
Tony shot him a look quicky. It’s ok , it said. It's fine. You will be fine. And Peter believed him.
“Hey May. Can we come in?” Tony asked “We need to talk to you about something.”
“Of course!” May said, moving aside to let them through, her smile fading as she saw the seriousness on Tony’s face. “Is there something wrong?”
Peter looked down, refusing to make eye contact with May as he scurried into the flat and sat down on the sofa.
Just then, George walked in, and Peter’s blood ran cold. The hate in his eyes, the anger, it made Peter second guess telling May. Even if it didn’t upset her, George would get him, would get her. And it would all be Peter’s fault.
Before Peter could plan a way out, Tony sat down on the sofa next to him. Tony. He was telling the truth. Peter couldn't let George get away with this. He couldn’t let George stay hidden. He had to tell the truth.
He had to tell the truth.
“What is it?” May asked, the worry clear in her tone. Peter looked up and met her eyes. Her eyes were filled with the same worry as was in her voice. “What’s happened?”
Peter looked up at Tony at the same time Tony turned to look at him “Tell her, Peter.”
Peter breathed in deeply and then opened his mouth. He knew what he had to say, and he knew it would make May’s world crumble, but like Tony had said, May wouldn’t want to be happy with a liar. “Ummmmmm” He said. But then he realised. He never told Tony, just nodded his head, and there are somethings impossibly hard to push past your teeth and lips, somethings so hard to put into words that it physically hurts.
Out of the corner of his eyes, Peter could see Tony’s supportive gaze. Tony was there, Tony was there to help.
He could also see May, she was in front of him. She looked worried and scared. Scared of Peter? Of course, she still thought he was mentally unstable, still thought he had attacked George.
In the other corner of his eye, was George. He was trying to avoid looking at him. He didn’t want to lose all his bravery like he knew he would if he looked into that angry gaze.
But George was a monster. And he needed to be stopped.
“I didn’t smash those plates.” Peter started with. When those words passed his lips easily, he opened his mouth again “I didn’t drink or go crazy.” He took in a deep breath “I didn’t go out.” He could see May’s shocked glance and George’s angry glare. But he focused on Tony. Tony’s supportive gaze. ‘Yes’. He seemed to be saying. ‘Start small, start with the things you can say’.
“I didn’t want to spend all my time in my bedroom.” another deep breath, he was running out of truths, but he couldn’t stop. “I never got any of my lunch money.” Now May’s gaze had turned from shocked to… confused? Worried? Maybe a little Angry? But not a Peter?
“I… He….. George...” When the words wouldn’t come, he just look the leap. He pulled his sleeves up and simply said “George.”
May’s gaze was back to shocked. Tony was still there, supportive, calm. Now George looked furious.
“Why am I being made to listen to this!” George said angrily “These are just the ramblings of a crazy person!”
Peter held his breath, who would May believe? Would May just be double sure that he was crazy? Would she think he did this to himself?
“Shush George.” Tony said, his voice cold as ice “It is not your turn to speak.”
Peter could see May’s shock at Tony’s tone. He had never spoken like that before. That was the voice of pure hatred.
“Peter” May began, sounding like this was the last thing she wanted to say “Was that George? Has he been attacking you?”
Peter nodded, his own tears falling down his face
“And the lunch money?” May asked
“George took it all.” Peter replied
“The staying in your room?” May’s voice was starting to break with tears, as though she was starting to join all the dots, the questions were just confirmation.
“George said he would hurt you if I didn’t stay out of his was.” Peter whispered. He could see May start to crumble, he could see regret start to creep in, but he focused on Tony, on Tony’s support.
“The plates?” May’s voice had become less than a whisper now, as she started rethinking everything the had known 20 minutes ago.
“I tried to fight back.” Peter said “I tried to escape and he needed an excuse for the bruises.”
As soon as Peter finished talking, he collapsed back so he was leaning against the back of the sofa.
“He’s lying” George said loudly “I never did any of that! He just wants attention!”
“No” May and Tony said at the same time.
“Peter isn’t a liar” May said cooly
George opened his mouth again, probably to argue some more, or perhaps to threaten everyone, no one ever found out though because Tony threw a punch right at his face.
“Did you just punch me!” George gasped, turning to glare at Tony
“Yes” Tony deadpanned. “And I would do more but sadly I think May would prefer if we just reported to the police.”
May nodded in confirmation, muttering something under her breath about not swooping down to George's level.
*A couple of months later*
“Hey Peter, can you lay the table” May called from the kitchen where she was just finishing up the food.
"Sure" Peter replied as he headed into the kitchen where they kept their crockery and cutlery.
Peter smiled as he went to grab everything, making sure to hold tightly onto the plates so they wouldn't fall.
He was doing much better now. He still flinched at loud noises and broken plates were a big no. Not to mention the fact that he was instantly weary around anyone called George. But he was still doing better. He was back to being Spiderman and all his visible injuries had healed.
He had just finished putting everything on the table when there was a knock on the door. Without May even asking, Peter went to open it and, just has he had expected, Tony was stood in the doorway.
"Hey Pete!" Tony greeted with a smile "how are you?"
Peter laughed slightly for no apparent reason as he moved aside to let Tony in "I'm good thanks, come in, food is almost ready"
Peter smiled as they walked into the dining room together, his smile only growing as the food was served and they sat down to eat.
George's trial had gone exactly as everyone had expected. With Peter giving evidence and Tony and all his friends backing him up, there was no way George could win.
George had tried to escape after he was charged but he didn't get very far with Iron man on his heels. And if Tony threw a few extra punches than necessary, no one mentioned it.
George was locked up and would be for a long time. Even after he was released he would never be able to return to New York and his name was all over every state police database ever. He would never hurt anyone again.
Peter knew he had made the right choice. His countdown had ended, and it had done its job. It had saved him, well, Tony saved him. Telling him had definitely been a good thing, it was probably the only reason he wasn't dead in some alley, or in a mental asylum.
And now. Everything was good. Everything was back to normal. Everything was perfect.