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Peter jumped into the sleek black Audi, throwing his backpack onto the seat beside him.
“Hey, Hap- not Happy,” Peter said, frowning in confusion, “Mr. Stark, what are you doing here?”
“Picking you up from school, what does it look like?” Mr. Stark asked as he shifted the car into drive, “you’re meant to be a smart kid.”
“I just meant that I’ve never seen you drive before,” Peter admitted, “I mean, I know you can , but I thought you usually got Happy to drive you around.”
“Yeah, but now that he’s the Head of Security he’s a little more reluctant to partake in chauffeur duties, honestly, you give a man a pay rise and all of a sudden he’s too good to do the Monday evening school run.”
“He’s watching Downton Abbey isn’t he?” Peter asked.
“Of course,” Tony muttered, “so anyway, May called and said she’s working a double tonight and asked if I’d babysit and feed you, you know, all that fun stuff.”
“I’m not a child, I’ve survived on my own before while May’s been at work,” Peter protested, albeit weakly - he wasn't opposed to spending more time with his mentor.
“Yeah but someone had to expose himself as Spider-Man in front of her,” Mr. Stark said, “and now she’s all worried about your safety because she’s realised that while she’s working you’re not sitting watching TV, you’re out fighting the dangerous purse-snatchers of Queens.”
“Mr. Stark,” Peter whined, elongating the vowel in his name in a way only a petulant teenager could.
“Alright, alright,” Mr. Stark conceded, “you fight the most deadly and dangerous of humanity, and didn't I tell you to call me Tony?”
“We’re not there yet,” Peter said with a cheeky grin.
“You little- you know you’re a pain in the ass?”
“I do try,” Peter said, “but you know you can drop me off at home? I don't mind, I’m sure you have better things to do than chasing around after me.”
“Nice try, you’re not getting rid of me that easily, Kiddo.”
“But-”
“No ‘buts’,” Mr. Stark said, “me and you are gonna hunker down in my workshop and I’m going to tinker while you do your homework.”
“Homework schmomework,” Peter mumbled.
“If you finish it, I have a few projects I could let you take a look at,” Mr. Stark suggested.
“Are you blackmailing me?”
“Consider it an incentive to get your homework done.”
Peter narrowed his eyes, “fine,” he muttered.
“Aw, come on, Pete, cheer up, you get to spend your evening with your childhood hero,” Mr. Stark said, smirking at Peter through the rearview mirror.
“No,” Peter gasped, “May told you?”
“She sang like a canary and took great joy in telling me all about the figurines you had as a child and the way you would beg to go to expos, honestly though Kid, while it’s flattering, I really wasn't a great role model back then.”
“You were the best,” Peter said with a shrug, “you saved my life.”
“How did I-”
He was abruptly cut off by Peter letting out a scream, at first he wasn't sure why he was screaming, he just knew that his Spidey-Sense was telling him to because danger was imminent and there was no way to escape it.
That was when a truck collided with the side of the small black Audi.
Glass shattered covering Peter as the car crumpled around him and he was tossed around within the restraints of his seatbelt, the truck that had hit them was blaring its horn non-stop, making his head feel as though it was going to split in half. He couldn't tell whether they were upright or if the car was on its roof. Everything was just so loud and confusing.
“Mis’er Star’,” he mumbled, trying to get a visual on the older man, but his eyes kept filling with a strange dark liquid that made his vision blur.
It took him longer than it should have to realise that blood was dripping into his eyes from somewhere. His head, maybe? He tried to reach a hand up to feel his head so he could clarify where the blood was coming from, but they were stuck. The metal of the car had wedged him in place, he was well and truly pinned, instead, he blinked rapidly, trying his best to clear his vision.
“Hurts,” he mumbled, slurring out his words.
There was a pain in his chest that felt as though he was being torn apart from the inside out, a horrible, searing pain, his head hurt, his arms hurt, and he still hadn't heard anything from Mr. Stark. He couldn't even try to listen for a heartbeat because the damn truck’s horn was still blaring.
“Hey! Kid, can you hear me?”
Peter hadn't even realised his eyes had closed, he blinked blearily and tried again to clear his eyes enough to see where the voice was coming from.
“That’s it, you're doing great, Underoos, just stay with me alright?”
Underoos, that was a familiar nickname, there was only one person who called him that. He immediately started searching for Mr. Stark, wishing that his arms were free so that he could reach out for the man, he didn't care that it would make him look like a child - he just needed that reassurance. For the first time in a long time, he felt like a kid and he was scared.
“Help is coming, Pete, you’re gonna be alright, Kiddo,” Mr. Stark said as soothingly as he could, “can you speak?”
Peter’s breathing was shallow as he tried his best not to cause any further pain than he was already in, “hurt.”
“You’re hurt?” Mr. Stark asked, “where?”
“Head, chest,” Peter whispered, “arms.”
He didn't even know if Mr. Stark was able to hear him, everything was so loud, he could hear sirens, people shouting, that damn horn, it was all too much and he was feeling terrible. He felt shaky even though he couldn't move.
“Am I gonna die?” he asked quietly.
“No!” Mr. Stark sounded almost angry at the suggestion, “no, you’re going to be fine, Pete, you’re going to be alright, I promise you.”
-
In the front of the car, Tony was pinned in, somehow his seat had been moved forward and he was stuck against the steering wheel. If it wasn't for the risk of causing Peter further injury, he would have forced it back and freed himself, but the kid already looked as though he was in rough shape.
He was pale, paler than Tony thought was humanly possible and it scared him, he’d promised the kid that he would be alright but the truth was, looking at him, Tony really wasn't convinced that he would be. The only saving grace was that the emergency services were already on the scene of the accident and Tony had sent a distress signal from his watch, so further help would be arriving at any moment.
“Sir, can you hear me?” a stranger said, Tony’s eyes lingered on the man’s uniform for a second before logic told him it was a fireman, “are you hurt?”
“The kid,” Tony replied urgently, very much aware that he probably wasn't making much sense, “you need to get the kid out first.”
“Kid?” the man asked.
“He’s in the backseat - Peter,” Tony supplied.
“Peter?” the man called, moving to try and stare through the mangled metal to get a view on him, “Peter, can you hear me?”
“Pete?” Tony shouted desperately, why wasn't he answering?
“Right, guys,” the fireman called above all the chaos, “we’ve got a kid in the back, currently unresponsive, we need as many people on this wreckage as possible, get the EMTs over here.”
“Peter, come on Kiddo, say something,” Tony pleaded.
“Hey, look Mr.-” the man broke off.
“Stark,” Tony supplied.
“Mr. Stark,” the paramedic said, paling slightly as he realised who was in front of him, “um, are you hurt anywhere?”
“Not important,” Tony said, brushing off the concern, “you need to help the kid.”
“People are already working on getting him out, but right now I’m here to look after you,” the paramedic said, quickly getting over his shock at finding Tony Stark in the wrecked car and getting back into work mode.
“Is he alright?” Tony asked.
“He’s got the best people looking after him,” the paramedic said, avoiding the question.
It was a lie, there were very few people that Tony would trust with Peter’s safety and these complete stranger's didn't make the cut, except in this situation he didn't really have any options other than to let them do their job.
“Tony!” a familiar voice shouted, and Tony relaxed a minute - Rhodey was here, “where the hell is he?”
“Sir, we can't let you-”
“Save it,” Rhodey interrupted, “I’m going in there whether you like it or not.”
The person who had attempted to stop him either conceded or spoke too quietly in response for anyone to hear, but the next thing Tony knew, his best friend’s face appeared beside the paramedic’s.
“Hey, Honeybear,” Tony said with a weak smile, “fancy meeting you here.”
“Jesus Christ, Tones, what the fuck happened?” Rhodey asked.
“That’s what I want to know too,” Tony muttered, “I need to get Happy to pull all the security camera footage he can.”
“We’ll worry about that later, let’s get you out of here and checked over, alright?” Rhodey said, the concern on his face was disconcerting, how bad did he look?
“The kid first,” Tony insisted.
“Kid? Peter?” Rhodey asked, “what? Peter’s here?”
“Backseat,” Tony said.
The way Rhodey’s eyes widened as he looked at the backseat of the car made Tony’s stomach sink like a lead balloon, it must be bad.
“Pepper and Happy are on their way and I’ll put out another distress call to the team so they know to come and help,” Rhodey said.
“Don't, they’ll come prepared for an Avengers scale threat, not a car accident,” Tony said.
“Fine, I’ll put out an urgent contact,” Rhodey said rolling his eyes, “now you listen to this paramedic, I’m gonna go see if there’s anything I can do to help with Peter.”
That was all Tony wanted so he nodded in agreement and finally allowed the paramedic to start checking his vital signs.
“Now, Mr. Stark, you can’t be too comfortable in that position, so I’m going to pop a line in so we can get you something to help with the pain,” the paramedic said.
“I don't need anything,” Tony lied - the pain was a bitch, but he was too worried about Peter’s wellbeing, he didn't want to be out of it on painkillers.
“Sir, there aren't any prizes for bravery out here,” the paramedic said.
“I need to make sure Peter’s ok,” Tony said, shaking his head, “I can't have my thoughts clouded.”
“Well we can start off on some lighter things, they won’t make you feel clouded,” the paramedic said, “they’ll just take the edge off and make it a little more bearable while we cut you out.”
Finally, Tony nodded, “alright, do it.”
He did his best to ignore the feeling of the tourniquet and the cold swab rubbing at the crook of his arm, he focused on Peter’s face instead, looking at the paleness that drove a deep unease into the pit of his stomach - something was wrong, seriously wrong and he couldn't do anything to help because he was stuck in place.
“Is-” he broke off, not sure if he wanted to know the answer to the question that was gnawing at him.
“He’s breathing,” the paramedic said gently, understanding what he was afraid to ask.
“Thank God,” Tony muttered, resting his head back and letting his eyes fall shut while the paramedic got to work on piercing his vein with the needle.
-
Peter jerked back to consciousness with a piercing scream as he was finally pulled from the wreckage. What were they doing to him? Were they stabbing him in the chest? What was happening?
He was so confused and there were far too many unfamiliar faces hovering above him as he was laid on something hard and strapped down, a smaller, more rational part of his brain whispered that they were strapping him to a gurney and he was safe. However, the bigger part of him was panicking and trying to move against the hands that were trying to keep him still.
“Peter, Pete, look at me,” a voice said - familiar, but not Mr. Stark, “that’s right, Kid, it’s me.”
He breathed heavily, making the pain worse somehow, as he met Colonel Rhodes’ eyes.
“That’s it,” he said gently, “you’re doing great, Pete, but you need to stay still, alright?”
“Can’t,” Peter whimpered, “stabbing.”
“Stabbing?” Colonel Rhodes asked.
“Something’s stabbing me in the chest,” Peter said.
“Guys,” Colonel Rhodes called towards the paramedics, “he says it feels like something is stabbing him in the chest.”
“There wasn't any penetrating wound there,” a stranger murmured in confusion.
“Please,” Peter begged, “Colonel Rhodes, please, it hurts really bad.”
Peter didn't like to appear weak in front of the people he considered his idols, but right then, at that moment, he couldn't do anything to stop the tears from pouring out, it hurt so badly, he didn't even have the words to explain to the people around him how much pain he was in.
“Alright, Kid, we’re gonna get you something to help with that,” one of the stranger's said.
“His right arm is definitely broken, we’ll have to get access in the other,” another said.
“Mr. Stark?” Peter asked, looking at Colonel Rhodes, hoping the man knew what he was asking.
“He’s alright, they’re just getting him out now,” the man replied, “honestly he’s more worried about you than himself.”
Peter wanted to tell him to let Mr. Stark know that he didn't have to worry, he was fine, but he couldn't even bring himself to find the energy to lie like that. The truth was he felt as though he was dying, there was something gravely wrong with his chest and he could feel it, but they seemed more concerned with his arm.
Why couldn't they see his chest was killing him?
“BP 73/42,” one of the paramedics said.
“Wait, that’s bad right?” Colonel Rhodes asked in concern.
“We need to move, now,” was the only response he got as they quickly started to load Peter into the back of the ambulance, “are you coming or staying?”
Colonel Rhodes seemed to look between Peter and the wreckage before making a decision, “I’m coming.”
-
“Mr. Stark, you need to stay on that trolley,” an increasingly irate nurse said, “if you keep getting up, you’re going to hurt yourself more.”
“Where’s Peter?” Tony asked, ignoring her advice.
“The doctors are with him, we’ll update you as soon as we know more about what’s happening,” the nurse said, “now, please , lie back down before you do some serious damage.”
“I’m fine,” Tony argued, “you guys have already told me I’m very lucky blah blah blah, broken ribs, bruising, blah blah blah, now I need to see the kid.”
“We can't do that yet,” the nurse said.
“Just… is he alive?”
“Yes, but he’s in critical condition,” the nurse told him.
She was saved from any further questions but a knock on the door. Tony met the red-rimmed eyes of May Parker and held his arms out automatically, she ran into them, only slowing herself down at the last moment - someone must have warned her about the state of his ribs.
“They won’t let me see him,” she sobbed.
“Me neither,” Tony murmured, “apparently, I’m being difficult.”
“You are, Mr. Stark,” the nurse agreed before making her exit and allowing the other people hovering outside the door to enter.
“Oh, Tony,” Pepper murmured, taking May’s place as soon as she released him, “I was so scared when Rhodey called.”
“Is Peter-?” Happy broke off, afraid to ask.
“Critical,” Tony said simply, the word laying heavily on the minds of everyone in the room.
“We’ve got the best medical staff S.H.I.E.L.D. could find,” Pepper promised him, “they won’t let any of us in right now, but at least they’re in with him.
That was reassuring, they would at least be aware of Peter’s enhanced abilities and they’d know to up the dosage of his pain meds so they actually had an effect on the kid.
“Did you find the footage?” Tony asked, looking at Happy.
The man grimaced, “I did, it wasn't a pretty sight. The driver of the truck blew a red light at twenty miles over the speed limit.”
“Is he alive?” Tony asked.
“Yes, and he’s going to stay that way,” Happy said with a fixed stare, “he’s in police custody. Look, Tony, I know this is going to piss you off even more, but he was drunk.”
“He was drunk?” Tony asked blankly, the words not making sense to him, “he was drunk and driving a massive fucking truck at that speed? And you’re telling me I can't kill him?”
“You absolutely can’t,” Happy said, “this accident is all over the news, people will connect it with you in a second, especially since…”
“Since what?” Tony asked, his anger doing a great job at masking his pain as he paced back and forth.
“Since the news is kinda reporting that you were in the car with your son,” Happy said.
Tony ran a hand through his hair, wincing as the matted blood tugged painfully, this was the last thing Peter needed right now, he was going to be suffering enough after the accident without having to deal with the world believing he was Tony’s son.
“Who revealed his being there?” Tony asked.
“We don't know, but there were hundreds of bystanders, it could have been anyone,” Happy said seriously.
“We can deal with that later,” Pepper said confidently, “I can shut the reporters down in a second and slap anyone with any pictures with an NDA before they can even start to explain themselves.”
“Thanks,” May said genuinely, “I know Peter would be flattered if the world believed he was your son, but he would absolutely hate the attention.”
They were distracted from their thoughts by a man knocking on the door, he looked sombre and serious, Tony’s heart sank. Was he here to give them bad news?
“Hello, my name is Dr. Brown,” the man said, “I’ve been sent by S.H.I.E.L.D. to look after Peter and he was quite eager that I come and explain to you all what’s going on.”
“He’s alright?” Tony asked quickly.
“He’s talking?” May asked at the same time.
“Now, the first thing I must stress is that Peter is in a very critical condition right now,” Dr. Brown said, “he’s suffered some extremely dangerous injuries at the scene of the accident and when he arrived here he was suffering from a great deal of blood loss.
“He has a fractured dislocation of his right shoulder, a laceration to his head although thankfully there were no signs of intracranial bleeding on his CT scan. He also has multiple rib fractures, bruising and various cuts and abrasions. The worst injury however is a traumatic aortic dissection.”
“Aortic dissection?” Tony asked in confusion.
“Also known as an aortic rupture,” the doctor continued, “in cases like this, many people die on impact, Peter is extraordinarily lucky that he survived, but I think a lot of that has to do with his abilities.”
Tony felt sick, “if he wasn't Spider-Man, he would have died?”
“I can't say for sure,” the doctor said, “but I wouldn't be surprised if that would have been the case.”
“Oh God,” May muttered, sinking down to sit on the edge of the trolley that Tony had long since abandoned, “my baby, we promised Mary and Richard that we would protect him when they named us his Godparents, but I failed.”
“No, May, this is my fault,” Tony corrected her, “I was the one driving the car, I should have seen them coming.”
“The only person at fault was the damn drunk driver,” Happy interrupted them, “so save this pity party you have going on for another time, you need to focus on Peter right now.”
“You’re right,” May whispered, before turning her attention back to the doctor before them, “please, is he going to be alright?”
“We’ve given him a copious amount of painkillers and he’s had a few units of emergency blood transfused, but we need to take him to emergency surgery, we just need to do enough to give his healing abilities the tools it needs to kick into action.”
“So you can't guarantee he’ll be alright?” Tony asked.
The doctor shook his head, “we’re keeping him as stable as we can with the blood transfusions but he’s not out of the woods yet.”
“Can we see him?” May asked, “before he goes to surgery?”
“I think we can make that happen,” the doctor said, “let me go and make sure they’re ready for you guys and I’ll come back for you, alright?”
They all exchanged anxious glances as they waited for the doctor to return. Tony couldn't help but be thankful for The Avengers at that moment, they were dealing with the police, lawyers, and the cleanup while Tony worried about the kid. They were taking away a significant burden so that he could be with the people who meant the most to him.
“He’s a tough kid,” Rhodey said hoarsely, “he’s going to be alright.”
“You don't know that.”
“Maybe not, but we have to believe it,” Rhodey said, “otherwise where would we be without hope?”
“He’s the most stubborn kid I’ve ever met,” May said quietly, “he’s not going to let this take him out.”
-
Peter looked so tiny in the bed, face almost as pale as the sheets he was tucked under, blood bags hung above him, numerous empty ones and a half full one that was connected to the cannula in Peter’s arm, trickling through. He was covered in wires and Tony couldn't help but look at the monitor beside him and anxiously take in all the numbers there, not that he knew what they meant.
“Peter?” May whispered, the boy’s eyes twitched before opening and he gave them a tired smile.
“May,” he said, words slurred, “you’re here.”
“Of course,” May said, hands flapping above him as she searched for somewhere to touch him that wasn't covered in wires or going to cause him pain, eventually she settled on his forehead, “there’s nowhere else I’d be.”
“Is Mr. Stark?”
“Hey, Bud,” Tony said, moving to May’s side, “I’m right here.”
“Was worried ‘bout you,” Peter admitted tiredly.
“Don't waste your energy worrying about me, Kiddo, I’m like a cockroach,” Tony said, “not even the end of the world is gonna get me.”
Peter laughed and winced immediately, “ow, don't make me laugh.”
“Sorry, Kiddo,” Tony said, “look who else is here though.”
Peter closed his eyes for a moment before looking past Tony and May to see Rhodey and Happy standing anxiously just behind them.
“Hey, Happy, how was Downton?” Peter asked, “and thanks Mr. Colonel Rhodes, Sir, for coming in the ambulance with me.”
Happy spluttered to himself before muttering, “I wasn't watching it, I was out.”
“Out?” Tony asked, eyes narrowing, “since when do you go out ?”
“Not important, focus on the Kid,” Happy said evasively, although Tony was sure he exchanged a nervous glance with Peter’s Aunt, hmm, he would have to keep an eye on those two, something was definitely going on.
“And kid, you can call me Rhodey, you know,” Rhodey said, still struck by the lengthy name the child had managed to conjure up for him.
“Nice try Rhodes,” Tony muttered, “he’s never going to-”
“Alright, Rhodey,” Peter said with a smile.
“You little shit,” Tony muttered.
“Sorry, Mr. Stark, we’re just not there,” Peter joked, although his humour seemed to fall slightly flat as his brows creased in pain.
“Those meds wearing off, Mr. Parker?” one of the nurses asked.
“A little,” Peter mumbled, “it’s fine though, I can manage.”
“Nuh uh, no ‘managing’,” the nurse scolded, “we’re aiming for no pain, not slight pain or even manageable pain, so you need to be telling us whenever you feel the meds wearing off.”
“Yes, Sir,” Peter mumbled.
Tony watched as the doctor injected a clear liquid into the cannula in Peter’s arm, wondering if it was a regular kind of painkiller or the enhanced stuff that S.H.I.E.L.D. had created for the likes of Steve. They had been warned before walking into the room about how terrible Peter would look, but no amount of preparation would have been enough for Tony.
He felt as though someone had punched him in the stomach, Peter looked so pale and sick.
“The vascular surgeons and on-call nursing team are preparing the emergency theatre just now,” Dr. Brown said, “so it won’t be long before we head down, alright Peter?”
“You’re coming too?” Peter asked.
“Of course,” the doctor said, “I’ll be with you all through this.”
“Thanks,” Peter mumbled, eyes falling shut.
He wasn't asleep, Tony could tell that much, but he was obviously exhausted.
“The-” Tony paused, looking over Peter’s pale face and pained expression, “the aorta… that’s pretty important, right?”
“It’s the main artery from the heart,” Dr. Brown said honestly, “it carries the blood from the heart all around the body.”
“Yeah,” Tony muttered, “I’d say that’s important.”
“Right,” one of the nurses said, “why don't I show you all to our family room? The theatre porters are on their way up for Peter.”
One by one they wished Peter luck and promised him they’d see him soon. Not one of them said goodbye, they couldn't bear the thought of it being the last thing they said to him. It made the reality feel more final.
-
“It’s been hours,” May said, pacing back and forth, making Tony feel dizzy as he watched her move, “why haven't they come back yet?”
“They say no news is good news,” Happy reminded her.
“There is no good news right now, only bad news and catastrophic news,” May snapped, before wincing as she recalled her own tone of voice, “I’m sorry, that was unfair.”
“I understand,” Happy said, “it’s a stressful time.”
“That doesn't mean I should take it out on you.”
-
When Peter first came round after the general anaesthetic, he felt groggy and his mind was still clouded over although he was relieved to note that there was no longer any pain.
“Pete?” a soft voice said, “can you hear me?”
“Mm,” Peter hummed, trying to say his aunt’s name but failing drastically.
“Are you alright? Are you sore? Do you need anything?” May rattled questions off faster than Peter could answer.
“Give him a moment, May, he’s just woken up,” Mr. Stark said quietly.
“Sh’ld b’ restin’,” Peter slurred.
“What’s that, honey?” May asked.
“T’ny rest,” Peter said.
“I think he’s telling you to take it easy, man,” Colonel Rhodes said from somewhere in the room.
“Of all things to worry about,” the mentioned man said and Peter could practically hear him shaking his head.
Peter couldn't help but smile slightly, despite his exhaustion.
“You do realise he just called you Tony?” May asked him.
“Finall’ there,” Peter slurred.
“And all it took was a near-death experience,” Tony said, “let’s not make a habit of that.”
Peter blearily opened an eye to look at the small group that had congregated by his bedside, despite everything he had been through, he couldn't help but feel as though he was the luckiest person in the world to have such a loving family supporting him. Sure, he had a long road to recovery, but thanks to those around him, he knew it was a road he’d never have to walk alone.