Chapter Text
Peter was relieved when he slowly woke up, finding the horrific overload had finally passed. That must have rated in the top three of Peter’s-Senses-Goes-OTT and he was definitely going to spend the rest of the day in gratifying peace now he was in his own bed.
However, Peter knew his bed, and this wasn’t it.
The sheets were a little scratchy, the pillows were harder, and the only familiar thing he could feel was his unmistakable iron man blanket he used when he wasn’t feeling well. It just didn’t add up.
There was also a heavy warmth in his hand, feeling calloused skin against his own.
Reluctantly, he opened his eyes, fluttering them uselessly as they blinked away the sleep.
Seeing the scene in front of him only added to the confusion.
Mr Stark was sat beside his bed - the medbay bed - with possibly the most concerned look Peter had ever seen.
He frowned, opening his mouth to ask what happened but even though he was sure he’d formed the words on his tongue, no sound came out.
The billionaire must have heard though because he jumped quickly out of his seat and onto the side of the bed, placing a firm hand on Peter’s shoulder and holding pieces of card in his other hand.
Peter was definitely panicking now. He should be crying. He was crying, but he couldn’t hear it. He couldn’t hear a sound. “Mr Stark- Mr Stark!” He tried to scream, but he heard nothing, yet he could feel the words form in his throat.
Tony was trying his hardest to comfort him, letting his hand cup Peter’s wet cheek whilst he mouthed “it’s okay” to the boy.
It was only then did he remember what happened. The bagels, the kidnapping, the gun- oh god - his ears. The pain.
Tony pulled Peter’s chin to face him, noticing the terrified look on the kids face.
The older man pointed to the cards which Peter realised had writing on them.
The first he held up said ‘do you remember what happened?’
Peter had to smile because Tony’s usual writing was almost illegible, yet this he’d clearly taken time making these. He nodded, seeing some relief in Tonys features.
He then placed the card down, revealing the next.
‘I know this is scary but…’
The process repeated, placing the card down.
‘I thought this would calm you down’
‘Just pretend you’re Kiera Knightley in Love Actually’
Peter smiled, realising where he got the idea.
‘We’re going to fix your hearing’
‘Cho said your super healing might fix it’
‘But if not I’ll find away.’
‘Even if it takes me this long:’
The next card showed a grey old man, asleep at his work bench, making Peter laugh.
‘But I’m Tony Stark so it’ll only take me a week, tops.’
The last card showed: ‘It’s gonna’ be alright, kid.’
Peter watched Tony put the card down before opening his arms to the boy. He quickly took the opportunity to throw his arms around the older man, taking comfort in the familiar hold.
Tony instantly sank into the hug, pulling the kid even closer whilst running soothing circles on his back.
He started tapping, and for a moment Peter thought it was just for comfort until he translated I.T.S.O.K.A.Y in Morse code.
Peter gripped onto Tony tighter, trying to stop freaking out. He relied on his senses so much, losing one of them was - not good. Really not good.
The tapping started again and the tears threatened to fall once more. I.L.O.V.E.Y.O.U
If he could hear, he wouldn’t have known he unsuccessfully tried to hide a sob, but Tony heard it clear as day, pulling the kid back to wipe the tears away with his thumb.
Peter held the hand in place, watching Tony as he studied the kids hand. L.O.V.E.U.T.O.O he tapped back.
Tony eyes widened, grinning before pulling him into another tight hug, hand resting in the kids curls.
A few minutes passed and Tony finally pulled away, resulting in Peter trying to reach out for him, releasing a frightened “No!”
He knew he was acting like a baby but he felt almost defenceless without his hearing to rely on. He felt vulnerable and Tony was safe.
Tony quickly raised his hands up in a calming manner and pointed to the StarkPad on the side.
Peter watched him closely as he picked the tablet up, scribbling something down and handed it to the kid when he walked back over.
‘We can use this to talk’ it read.
Peter smiled gratefully. ‘How long until I get my hearing back?’ He wrote, choosing not to use his voice he couldn’t hear.
‘Not sure, Helen wants to takes some tests every 24 hrs to see if they’re healing’
‘How did we escape?’
‘Rhodey found us.’
Peter nodded leaning back into the pillows.
‘Why don’t we go watch a movie? Can grab some popcorn too.’
‘I can’t hear.’
‘Subtitles, kiddo.’
Peter smiled and nodded again, wondering how Tony was doing so well with this. If Tony had lost his hearing, Peter would definitely be freaking out. Like - none stop.
The billionaire grinned back, ruffling his hair.
He helped him up, wrapping an arm over Peters shoulders as they walked towards the door.
Suddenly, Peter wasn’t sure if leaving was a good idea. He could see everywhere in the private room, nothing could get to him without him seeing and leaving, even just walking down the corridor, was almost terrifying. He knew he had his spidey-sense but it was always thrown off for a day or two after an overload.
Tony frowned at him when the kid stopped abruptly, giving him a questioning thumbs up.
Peter shook his head, scribbling on the tablet. ‘Don’t want to, can’t hear what’s coming’
‘Nothings coming, and if it did I’ll keep you safe’
‘Not leaving?’
Tony shook his head strongly. ‘Never.’
Satisfied, Peter let himself be ushered to Tony’s living quarters, never taking his eyes from the path in front or letting go of the hem of the billionaires shirt.
‘There’s no one else here, just me and you today.’
Peter nodded, looking around the empty living room to double check. Not hearing sucked.
Suddenly he felt a hand on his shoulder making him jump back and lose his balance in his attempt to see the culprit.
He fell to the floor, seeing a very concerned Tony Stark stood over him. “Sorry! I’m so sorry!” Peter cried, cheeks reddening in embarrassment.
He could see Mr Stark mouthing ‘it’s okay’ again but Peter was already gone, lost in fits of tears as he cried into his hands.
He was deaf. He might never be able to hear again. He won’t be able to be Spider-Man anymore, he’d lose his place in decathlon, wait - would he lose his scholarship? How could he go to class not knowing what the teacher was saying?
Everything was ruined. His life was over because some mad man -
Hands brought him back out of his spiral. They ran over his face, through his hair, on his arms and back, pulling Peter right into Tony’s chest as the older man rocked them.
He clung on pathetically, letting the sobs wrack over him.
Tony never let go once, lulling the boy in his arms at a slow pace, like one would do with a baby, not that Peter could find himself to care.
He didn’t know how long it took until he relaxed into the hold but he knew he was exhausted.
His head rested in the nape of Tony’s neck, hands limply clinging to a clump of the older mans t shirt.
As if the billionaire could read his mind, Peter was being lifted up, carried in strong arms to the sofa.
Even then, Tony made no move to leave, only moving for a second to wrap his blanket over them.
The next time Peter woke, the two were in the same position on the sofa, only Tony wasn’t awake, having fallen asleep brushing Peter’s hair, hand still intertwined in curls.
Peter’s head was resting on Tony’s chest, body curled into his side with Tony’s other hand stretched across holding Peter close.
Instead of waking the older man, he simply revelled in the warmth and love he felt in the embrace. Tony loved him. He told Peter himself, or more accurately tapped it. And Peter loved him too, probably more than the adult realised. Tony was more than a mentor, he was his best friend, his father figure, and knowing the man returned his love made Peter the happiest he’d been in years. Even if he was deaf.
A harsh beeping noise jolted him, in turn rustling Tony from his slumber.
The mans eyes caught Peter’s immediately, mouthing an ‘are you okay’.
Peter stared, still trying to process - “I-I heard a noise.” He wasn’t sure if he was shouting or whispering but Tony heard either way, making out ‘Friday’ in his words as he spoke to the AI.
Peter frowned, tapping the man to regain his attention. “I heard a noise.” He repeated, unable to hear himself still.
Tony’s eyes blew impossibly wide when the penny dropped, taking Peter’s face with both hands. He asked something, mouthing exaggeratedly, but Peter couldn’t follow.
“I c-cant hear noises. I heard a beep.”
Tony quickly grabbed the StarkPad from the side, informing Peter he was going to take him to Cho for some tests.
Tony didn’t even ask if he felt up to walking, he simply picked Peter up, legs hanging either side of the older man like an overgrown toddler and rushed him to medbay.
If the kid could speak he’d have protested like the world depended on it, but still feeling so clingy to Tony, he accepted fate.
After three tests with Tony sat in the corner like a concerned parent, Cho announced - using the tablet - that Peter’s eardrums had started healing, with noises the ear is most sensitive to coming back first, such as high pitch alarms.
Tony looked so happy he could burst, hugging Peter tightly, beaming at the younger boy like he’d hung the moon and stars.
Peter sighed in relief, relaxing into the hug. His hearing was coming back. He was going to get his life back, get Spider-Man back.
‘Remember to try not to blow your nose and keep them dry. I’ll check on you tomorrow’ Cho wrote, smiling warmly at him before leaving he and Tony alone.
P.A.N.C.A.K.E.S Tony tapped onto Peter’s shoulder, raising his eyebrows expectedly.
Peter instantly nodded, feeling his stomach rumble.
Peter had a plan. A maybe plan. It wasn’t really a plan, but it still made him anxious. Tony had made Peter his favourite breakfast and was just about to clear away their plates when the boy stopped him, taking his hand.
Tony frowned, mouthing a ‘Pete’.
Swallowing Peter looked down to the hand in his and tapped D.A.D.
He didn’t have the confidence to look up at Tony’s reaction. The only thing he knew was the grip on his hand tightened, before suddenly, S.O.N.
Peter’s head snapped up, finding Tony’s eyes wet with tears, grinning ear to ear.
Peter grinned back.
Four days later, Peter’s eardrums were ‘as good as new’ according to Helen, his hearing returned perfectly and he even convinced Tony to let him patrol again on the condition he had to stay the weekend before going home. Neither of them voiced it, but a small amount of codependency had formed since the kidnapping and Peter didn’t feel ready to leave the tower yet.
Tony took Peter to Central Park on the Saturday, where the two sat for hours just listening to the birds and people passing by.
Noise was beautiful.