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Peter’s nose was red from blowing it. He couldn’t stop sneezing either. His head felt like there was enough pressure in it that it would surely explode. He knew it would be a bad day when he woke up but this was the worst.
Ned glanced his way mouthing, “GO HOME.”
Peter shook his head. It was the last class before lunch. If he could make it to lunch then he could survive. But by lunch he just set his head on the table and closed his eyes—Eyes that were both itching and burning at the same time.
“Dude.” Ned shook his head, “You’d better go to the nurse.”
“I’m not. Just drop it.” Peter mumbled.
“Well I texted May.” Ned shrugged, “And she is on her way.”
“NED!” Peter looked at his best friend, “She had a busy day today with her job and night classes.”
“I know but you matter too and I’d say she would agree with that too.” Ned took a bite of an apple, “And you’re my best friend so I know you would never put her needs above yours.”
“Peter Parker to the office.” Went over the loud speaker.
“I’ll text you later I guess.” Peter rolled his eyes, “Don’t have too much fun without me.”
~
“You should have called.” May told him as she pulled into her spot at the apartment, “You don’t have to be such a tough guy.”
“It’s just allergies.”
“And you’re just miserable.” May pointed out.
“You have classes tonight and now you’re missing part of your shift at work—“
“—Which is nothing you should be worrying about.” May explained while they made their way to the stairs at the apartment building. The elevator was always broken.
“You can still go to class. I’ll be fine alone. I’m just going to sleep anyway.” Peter put his backpack on the hook by the door as he kicked off his shoes.
“I’ll check on you later and we can decide that.” May ruffled his hair, “Go get some sleep. You look dead on your feet.”
~
Peter woke up to a quiet apartment. He listened for a minute but didn’t hear May moving about. Tony had helped him soundproof his room so he wasn’t always overwhelmed with his senses so she could be trying to be respectful and quiet. He went to investigate. He didn’t find his aunt in the living room though. He found his mentor on his phone playing a game.
“Mr. Stark…” Peter asked, “Am I dreaming? I’m not awake, right?”
Tony laughed, “You’re awake, Kid.”
“What are you doing here?”
“Auntie hottie didn’t want to go to class unless she knew you would be okay. I told her I’d wait until you woke up and then take you to the tower but you’ve been asleep for hours and she should be home soon.”
Peter sat down on the other side of the couch, “Oh. I’m still tired.”
“You sure it’s allergies?” Tony asked.
“Yeah.” Peter yawned.
“Get over here then.” Tony lifted an arm and Peter smiled at the invitation and went to lean against his mentor.
“Thanks Mr. Stark.” Peter watched Tony play his game for a bit but was soon lulled back to sleep listening to his mentor’s heart beat.
~
“Thanks for staying.” May said softly coming in a couple hours later,
“How is he?”
“He has a cold.” Tony frowned, “This is not allergies.”
“Are you sure you’re not worried. New parents worry a lot.” May took off her shoes and went to the kitchen to make a cup of tea.
“No, he’s been running a fever. He’s sweating. It’s gross.” Tony told her, “Also what?”
“Fever’s are apart of the body’s defense system.” May said coming back into the living room.
“You don’t think we need to do anything?” Tony asked.
“Call him into school and push fluids and rest.” May said with a soft smile, “He’ll be back on his feet in a matter of days.”
“You’re probably right.” Tony brushed some curls out of Peter’s eyes, “I just don’t like this.”
“It sucks, right? The desire to take his place.” May sat down in the chair across from the couch.
“Yeah, where does that come from?” Tony glanced at his friend.
“Love.” May shrugged.
“No—I.” Tony paused. Was he going to deny that he cared about Peter Parker? He couldn’t do that. If Peter woke up and heard that it would crush him. It also wasn’t true. He loved this kid more than he thought he could love someone, “It feels like my heart is just walking around outside my body.”
“Yeah.” May nodded, “Terrifying—Absolutely terrifying.”
~
Peter bounced into the tower the following Friday fully on the mend. He found Pepper reasoning with Tony in the lab, “What’s going on?”
“Peter! Come help me!” Tony glanced over.
“No!” Pepper glanced at Peter, “Don’t you dare!”
“I feel like I’m missing something.” Peter laughed.
“He wants to build you a bigger suit. I explained that he can’t because if he makes it like the Hulk buster then you won’t be able to swing around or be like sticky and stuff.” Pepper shrugged.
“That’s true. I’m more than just sticky and stuff though.” Peter rolled his eyes.
“You get what I mean.” Pepper pointed at Tony, “He is impossible. I’m leaving you to reason with him.”
“Mr. Stark. Why do you want to build me a different suit?” Peter put his backpack down on the table in the middle of the lab. Everything else looked like the place had exploded.
“I just want to keep you safe.” Tony admitted.
“I am safe.” Peter smiled.
“Right now. Out there you’ve been stabbed, and shot and poisoned. My poor heart can’t take it.” Tony sighed, “If I could put you in bubble wrap and lock you in the penthouse I would. Wait—“
“—No.” Peter laughed, “NO!”
“Then we’re back to my original plan.” Tony started pulling out more tools.
“Mr. Stark—You can’t protect me from life. I’m going to get hurt, and sick. It’s part of being human.” Peter sat down on a chair, “But I just need to know that you’ll always be there to help when that happens. We’ll figure everything else out.”
“Of course I’ll be there!” Tony told him.
“Then we’ll be fine.”
Tony put down the tools and Peter came over to hug him sensing his mentor needed it more than he did. Tony’s arms closed around him, “I’ll always be there.”
“I know.” Peter told him seriously, “I trust you.”
“Friday, order bubble wrap in bulk.” Tony told the AI.
“Cancel that, Fri.” Peter was shaking with laughter.
“Double the order.” Tony tickled his mentee.
“You are impossible.”