Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Peter was running across the road. That was all he was doing. One minute he was jogging to meet Ned after school with a smile on his face, the next he was on the floor. 

When he blinked awake, his head throbbed and Ned was staring down at him with a terrified look. “Peter!” 

He groaned, looking up at the sky trying to focus his eyes. He’d fallen over. He was lying in the road, more specifically a puddle and his head was pounding . “Wha?”

“Dude, are you okay? You-you just collapsed!” Ned cried, hovering his hands over Peter as if wanting to help but not knowing how. 

Cars suddenly started beeping in either direction, making both boys flinch.

“Oh my god, we’re in the middle of the road! Can you get up?”

Peter nodded, finding his feet surprisingly easily and moving to the sidewalk. “Did I fall over?” 

“Yes, and you’re bleeding!” Ned exclaimed, looking deathly pale. 

“Huh?” He prodded his fingers to where his friend was staring at. When he pulled away his fingers were stained with blood. “Oh.” 

“Oh? You just collapsed! You just face-planted in the middle of the street and all you have to say is ‘oh’ ?!”

Peter frowned, “I guess? Is that really what happened? I didn’t fall over anything?” 

Ned shook his head. “You just dropped like - like you’d been shot or something.” 

“That’s… weird.” 

“We should get you to a hospital,” Ned decided, trying to drag Peter towards the subway. 

“What? Dude, you know I can’t go to hospitals and besides, I’m fine,” he insisted, shrugging out of his friend's grasp. 

“You just fainted. Fine people don’t randomly faint.” 

“I didn’t faint, Ned. I just… I don’t know.” 

“What about your head? You might have a concussion.” 

“I doubt it, the cut will heal in a few hours anyways.” 

“Aren’t you going to Mr Starks in an hour?” 

“Yeah?” 

“Are those bruises going away before then?” He questioned, pointing at the side of Peter’s face. 

He frowned, finishing out his phone from his back pocket and finding it cracked. “Shit,” he muttered, turning on the camera and analysing his face. “Double shit.” 

The left side of his face was covered in browning bruises and scratched, no doubt taking the brunt of the fall and the cut primarily hidden in his hairline was still pretty obvious. Mr Stark was gonna be pissed. 

“Did you skip lunch or something? Wait no, I sat with you at lunch, and you ate everything. Are you sick? I thought spiders don’t get sick.” 

“Keep your voice down,” Peter hissed, elbowing Ned lightly into a walk next to him towards the subway. “And I’m not a spider, Ned. I’m a person. People get sick.” 

“But you haven’t since your bite,” he pointed out. 

“Then it’ll be something else. It happens, Ned. I’m fine. Just a freak accident.” 

“A freak accident?!” 

Peter cringed, folding in on himself where he stood in the lab. “Yeah?” 

Tony stared at him like he’d grown a third head, hands on his hips. “People don’t just take a swan dive in the middle of the road randomly, Pete. You can’t remember how it happened?” 

“Of course, I can! I tripped and fell.” 

“Apart from the fact, you said you didn’t trip,” Tony pointed out, still looking at the bruises littering his face as if they personally offended him. 

“Look, I don’t know what happened, but I feel totally fine now. Stop being all helicopter-parent.” 

“Hel-“ Tony took a steadying breath. “I am not a helicopter parent.” 

Peter raised an eyebrow with a smirk. Tony was quite literally cowering over him right now, trying to dab the cut on his forehead with a wet cloth. “You’re right, maybe an overprotective helicopter parent.” 

“You have some cheek. If I were to have a kid they wouldn’t be as stressful as you. You know how many grey hairs you’ve given me?” 

Peter grinned, glancing at his hair. “A lot?” 

“That’s it, you’re in your time-out corner,” he declared, swatting his shoulder with the cloth.

“Seriously?” 

“This is what you get for being a cocky child.” 

“But Dum-E sprays me with fire hydrants when I sit over there,” Peter whined, trying his best to give puppy dog eyes. 

“Think of it as a rite of passage.” 

“I hate you,” he said, walking over to where Dum-E resided in the lab. 

“Hate you too,” he heard Tony say before his brain felt like it short-circuited and his world went black again. 

When he came to he felt disoriented and achy, and just as confused as last time. 

This time though, he was in Tony’s lap with the man staring down at him like he was seconds away from a heart attack. “Shit, you back with me?” 

Peter frowned, “I think so?” 

“Freak accident?” 

“In my defence, this is the second time it’s happened.” 

“We need to get you checked out. Right now,” Tony said, standing up, but before Peter could join him, the man had squatted down, looping an arm under his knees and lifting him up. 

“Hey! I can walk,” Peter whined, trying to struggle out of his grip, but Tony was strong. 

“Nope, not risking it. You just collapsed twice in the space of two hours.” 

“Tony,” he groaned, dropping his head to rest on his shoulder as he marched them to medbay. 

When they reached the familiar floor, he stopped outside of Cho’s open office door and gave her a nod hello, “assistance needed for the spiderling.” 

“I’m fine-“

“No, you’re not,” he interrupted. “You’ve fainted. Twice.” 

“I didn’t faint .” 

“You collapsed, Pete. On the road and in the lab.” 

“Take him through to my consulting room,” Helen said, grabbing her tablet and following them through. 

“He keeps collapsing without any warning,” Tony explained after offloading Peter onto the examination table.

“Can you tell me exactly what happened, Peter?” 

“I just… I think it was just a random thing. Maybe I didn’t eat enough this morning.” 

“What did you eat?” She asked, sitting down in the consultants chair. 

“My usual?” 

“So you have eaten enough since we calculated what your ‘usual’ needs to be,” Tony pointed out. 

“Do you feel lightheaded? Unsettled stomach?” 

“I feel fine, I swear. Head kinda hurts though,” he admitted, not needing to look at Tony to know the hard face he was wearing. 

Helen gave him a sympathetic smile, checking him for lumps or bruises. “You probably have a slight concussion. Knowing you, you’ll be as good as new tomorrow. I am concerned about what’s causing you to faint though. I’ll take you for some scans, but I’m not sure how much I’ll find.” 

“But I’m meant to be making my new web fluid now,” Peter complained. 

“The fluid can wait. We need to make sure you’re okay first,” Tony said, putting a hand on the teen shoulder and pushing him to stand. 

Peter rolled his eyes, ignoring the way his head hurt from it. 

The scans gave them nothing to suggest why Peter fainted. He hadn’t done it again since so both of them suggested keeping an eye on him and trying to write it off as a freak accident. 

“I don’t have a good feeling about this, kid,” Tony said as he cooked his signature pasta dish. The only one of his mother's recipes he remembered, Peter recalled him saying. 

“I’m sure it’s fine. You worry too much.” 

“Don’t tell me I worry too much when you’re sitting there with bruises down your face and a concussion. If anything I don’t worry enough.” 

Peter rolled his eyes, continuing to text Ned. His friend was pretty shaken from what had happened that afternoon. He decided not to mention the fact it had happened again but did tell him Helen technically gave him a full bill of health. 

He sighed, rubbing the small lump on his head from where he’d fallen. 

“I think you should stay home from school tomorrow,” Tony said, his back to Peter as he cooked. 

“What?” 

“So I can keep an eye on you. What if it happens again and no one’s there to help you? What if you fall in the road again and this time the cars don’t stop?” 

Peter swallowed. Now he mentioned it, he was worried about that. It was scary not knowing what was wrong or why it kept happening. He wanted to pretend it was just a couple of freak moments, but Tony was right. Neither of them knew if it was going to happen again. “I can’t miss school.” 

“You can if you’re sick.” 

“But I’m not…” 

“You’re something , kid. People don’t randomly faint. Just take tomorrow off, it’s Friday so we have three days to stay safe and make sure it doesn’t happen again, and then you can go back to being your hair-raising self,” Tony said, glancing over his shoulder with a small smile as he continued to stir dinner. 

“Does that mean we can work in the lab tomorrow?” 

“Only if you wear a helmet.” 

“What?” 

“There’s a lot of sharp edges in the lab, let alone tools. It’s a miracle your fall today wasn’t worse.” 

“I am not wearing a helmet.” 

“Then you’re not working in the lab. Sorry, kid,” Tony said with no ounce or remorse. He gave the pasta one last stir before dishing it out onto the plates waiting on the island. It didn’t take a genius to guess whose plate Peter’s was. It made Tony’s portion look like a toddler’s. 

“Mister Stark,” he complained again, fully aware he was acting like a child, but Peter hated not being able to do anything. 

“Fine, a compromise,” he said, handing him his bowl of pasta. “Let’s have a movie day tomorrow, we can hang out on the couch and if you don’t have any more ‘episodes’ then we can go down to the lab at the weekend.” 

Peter chewed at his lip, looking up to find his mentor's hopeful face. “Fine.” 

He smiled, leaning over to ruffle his hair. “Atta boy. Now eat.” 

Peter rolled his eyes, “yes, dad ,” he teased, scooping a large portion of spaghetti.

Peter didn’t faint for the rest of the night. Tony kept a close eye on him though, only letting his guard down when he had the kid resting against his side on the sofa post-dinner. 

He led him to his room when the movie finished, pushing him along by his shoulders and dipping him side to side to make him laugh but Peter knew it was to keep contact with him in case he fell. 

The next morning Peter felt his usual self, he’d almost forgotten yesterday had happened until he shuffled to the bathroom and caught a glimpse of the now faint bruises on his face. He smiled, happy the evidence was almost gone. After he got through today, they could go back to their usual life and Tony could go back to his standard level of concern over him. 

“Good morning Peter, Boss would like you to know he’s currently on his way to your room.” 

Peter rolled his eyes, “I’m fine.” 

Friday didn’t respond, so he finished up and headed out of the ensuite right in time for a knock on the door. 

“Come in,” he called, sitting back in bed. 

Tony’s head poked through, smiling warmly at him. “Hey, kid. You good?” 

He nodded, “came to check on me?” 

Tony chuckled, walking in and picking up the clothes Peter had left on the floor. “That obvious?” 

“Maybe.” 

“No weird feelings yet? No dizziness? Lightheaded?” 

“No, but then I didn’t feel weird yesterday until I was lying on the road.” 

Tony shuddered, “yeah, that’s giving me nightmares.” 

“I’m fine, Mister Stark. You don’t have to spend your whole day with me,” he insisted, but he knew it was futile. 

“It'll be a hardship, but it’s a task I’m willing to bear.” 

“Gee, thanks.” 

Tony flashed him a playful smile, dumping the laundry down a shoot he had installed a month back before walking over to Peter. He stopped in front of him, lifting his chin towards the light so he could inspect his bruises. He gave a small hum, stepping back again. 

“You good to get changed? I’m banning you from the shower, that’s too risky until we give you the all-clear.” 

“What? But I’ll start to smell.” 

“I’d rather you smelt than have to clean your brains out of the shower because you collapsed again.” 

Peter screwed his nose up. “Ew, gross.” 

“Exactly. Now,” he said, pulling some fresh pyjamas out of the dresser. “Get these on, I’ll be outside if something goes wrong.” 

“You’re really taking helicopter parenting to a new level.” 

“Heli-what? What is that? A saying for rich parents? Because I actually own more jets than helicopters if we’re being pedantic.” 

“It’s a saying.” 

“Let me guess, another Gen-Z thing. Friday?” 

“A helicopter parent is a person who takes an overprotective or excessive interest in the life of their child or children.”

“That… okay. Fair. But don’t worry, once I know you’re not pulling and more fainting acts I’ll be out of your hair.” 

As promised, Tony was outside when Peter left his room ready to spend the day chilling on the sofa. The older man did the same as the night before, guiding Peter to the living area by his shoulders. He wanted to say he didn’t need to, but he knew it wouldn’t matter and there was a comfort in knowing Tony would be there to catch him. 

“What’s for breakfast, kid? Fry up? Pancakes? Cereal?” 

Peter dropped down to the sofa, humming in thought. “All of the above?” 

“Friday? You heard the kid.” 

He frowned, “wait, really?” 

“I told you, anything you want,” Tony reminded, sitting down on the couch next to him.

“This is kinda weird, it feels like I’m dying or something.” 

“Is it so wrong if I wanna treat my kid?” 

“I guess not.” 

“Put something on the TV and stop your moaning,” Tony teased, poking him with the remote that they didn’t even need. 

To both of their relief, Peter didn’t collapse for the rest of the day. The pair hung out on the couch, Star Wars playing in the background whilst they played cards and chatted about anything and everything. It was one of the best days Peter had in ages and he was almost grateful for face-planting the road the other day. 

It was the next day when Tony cooled off when it happened again. He’d finally stopped escorting him everywhere that wasn't soft furnishings and even started considering going to the lab after lunch. 

The worst part was he’d joked about it to Tony only seconds before. “You sure you don’t wanna escort me to the bathroom? Maybe wrap everything in bubble wrap just to make sure?” He teased, standing up from the couch.

“You know what, kid, go for it, see if I care,” he retorted, attention caught up by his phone.

Peter laughed, skipping into a walk down the corridor to his room. 

He’d just opened his door when everything just… stopped. 

Waking up felt like a normal morning, only he had Tony’s terrified face hovering over him, shouting his name. So not normal at all really. 

“Can you hear me?” 

“I did it again?” 

Tony let out a breath of relief, dropping his head. “Christ, kid you scared the shit out of me.” 

“Sorry.” 

“Are you hurt? I’m sorry I wasn’t there.  I should have- I shouldn't have let you go alone it was so -“ 

“It’s okay, Mister Stark. I’m fine,” he assured, ignoring the dull pain in his head from where he’d made impact with the floor. 

“You promise you feel okay?” 

“Yeah,” he said, but his eyes clouded with tears. “What’s happening to me?” 

Tony’s face softened, pulling Peter up from where he was resting in his lap into his chest and held on tightly. “I don’t know, Pete, but I swear I’m going to find out. I won’t let anything bad happen to you.” 

“Okay.” 

Tony pressed a kiss into his hair. “We need to get you to medbay.” 

“What do you mean there’s nothing wrong? Clearly, there is,” Tony said, arms crossed as he looked between Peter sitting on the table and yet another round of scans taken. 

“I can only go from what my scans are telling me. Physically he’s clear.” 

“I don’t understand. He can’t be.” 

“I know, as you’ve pointed out, fainting spontaneously isn’t normal, but I don’t know what to suggest. I’ve never seen or heard of anything like this, people faint because their blood sugar is low or they have a medical condition. Peter is perfectly healthy.” 

Peter sighed, watching the adults speak like a kid taken to the doctors by their overprotective parents. He knew he could speak, but what would he say? No one had the answers to his questions. 

“I can’t let this happen again, Helen. What if the next time he falls and seriously injures himself? He was lucky to not get hit by a car the first time,” Tony said, pacing back and forth in the small room and running a hand through his goatee. 

“My only suggestion would be to keep him here and monitor his vitals until it happens again. Maybe it’ll tell us what happens at the moment he collapses because you’re right, there must be something we’re missing.” 

“I can’t just stay here until it maybe happens again, that might be days, weeks!” Peter spoke up, staring pleadingly between Tony and Helen. 

“It’s the safest option,” Tony sighed. 

“It is, but he has a point. We can’t keep him lying here for days when physically he’s sound.” Tony went to protest, but Helen raised a patient finger. “Let him stay in the tower. Make sure he only stays in safe places and if he moves somewhere, you go with him.”

“So what we have been doing.” 

“But this time, he has monitors in place,” she said, turning to a cupboard and rooting through until she pulled out two small white disks. 

“I thought those were still in testing,” Tony observed, waiting until Helen put the plates down before picking one up. 

“That was over a month ago, Tony. I work quickly.” 

He raised an eyebrow, lips curling upwards. “I’m impressed.” 

“What are they?” Peter asked, craning his neck around Tony to get a better view. 

“Monitors. I place them on both sides of your chest like stickers, they monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and some other things and I can read the results constantly from here,” she said, tapping at her Stark Pad. 

Peter stared at the plates, accepting the one Tony held out to him. The disks were cold but lighter than he expected given the technology behind them. It fit easily in the palm of his hand and he twirled it around, inspecting both sides. Their back was covered in a thin film, presumably to keep the adhesive back sterile and functional. 

“They’re completely safe. Tried and tested on hundreds of people, they don’t contain any chemicals or pose any threat to life, unless, of course, you try eating one or poking yourself in the eye with it,” she said, chuckling when Peter realised how close he was staring. 

He sat back, handing the plate to Helen. 

“Are you okay with me putting these on?” 

He nodded, “so I don’t have to stay here?” 

“You’re free to go as long as Tony promises to keep an eye on you.” 

“Don’t I always?” Tony asked with that pretend reluctance Peter translated it as love. 

“Can you lift your shirt?” 

He did as she said, watching as she peeled the film back on one of the plates. “Prewarning, they’re cold.” She placed it left of his heart, flinching when the cool disk touched his chest. She did the same with the second one, placing it on his right. “All set. Hopefully, now we’ll know what’s happening when these episodes occur.” 

“Thanks, Helen.” 

“Yeah, thanks, Doctor Cho.” 

“No problem, I’m sorry I couldn’t be more help, but please do come to me if you have any questions or start feeling different.” 

“Will do,” Tony nodded, squeezing Peter’s shoulder. “Come on, Roos. Back to the sofa for you.” 

“May wants you to call her,” Tony announced, walking into the living area after disappearing without a word ten minutes ago. They’d reached Sunday afternoon without any more ‘incidents’ and Peter was already feeling antsy not being able to leave the tower or even go to the training room in case he passed out again.  “What? You called her?” He questioned, turning around on the couch to face Tony. 

“She needed to know, Pete. And since I found out you’ve been lying to her, you definitely deserve the telling off.” He sat down on the edge of the ‘L’ shaped couch, hands clasped between his knees. 

“There’s nothing to tell! We don’t even know what’s wrong yet and now she’ll be freaking out and when she freaks out I freak out and that’s-“ 

“Kid, stop,” he interrupted, shuffling along so he could put a hand on his shoulder. “She’s not freaking out. She’s worried and wants to hear from you. I told her the situation, she just wants to know you’re alright.” 

Peter sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Fine, can I go to my room?” 

“Sure you can, Roos, but you know the drill. I walk you there and you stay on your bed if you want to be left alone.” 

“I know, I know.” 

“Okay, let’s go.” 

He got up quietly, letting Tony get a good grip on his hoodie before they started walking. 

He stayed quiet the whole time, tired of being so reliant on Tony and terrified of the call he was about to have. It wasn't because May would undoubtedly scold him for lying, but because he’d have to admit out loud that he didn’t know what was wrong with him. He was never good at hiding his feelings from his aunt and he could feel tears pricking in the back of his eyes already. He didn’t know what was happening to him. It could get worse, or it could stay the same, either way, he didn’t want this to be his norm now. He didn’t want to live life getting escorted everywhere and having to tell someone every time he needed the bathroom. Spider-Man was a whole different subject he only delved into at night when he couldn’t sleep. 

He couldn’t be Spider-Man if he randomly passes out. Swinging around would be too dangerous, let alone dealing with criminals. Tony knew this too, he could tell. Neither of them had mentioned the ‘S’ word since Friday and they both knew why. 

Peter swallowed, glancing at Tony. He was hoping his mentor wouldn’t catch him, but their eyes met and even though he looked away quickly, Tony already caught in. 

“You okay kid?” He asked, slowing their steps. 

“Fine,” he responded but his voice came out weak. 

“Hey,” he said, stopping them and putting both hands on his shoulders. “What’s wrong? Do you feel like you’re going to faint?” 

“‘S not that. You know I can’t feel when that’s about to happen.” 

“Then what is it, kid?” 

He shrugged, opting to stare at the floor because looking at the concern and affection on Tony’s face would break the dam he was struggling to hold in place. 

“Pete,” he pushed and to Peter’s horror, he hiccuped a sob. “Oh, bud, you’re okay.” 

He shook his head, leaning his head into Tony’s chest to hide his red cheeks and watery eyes. 

“Mays not gonna’ be mad, kid. I promise, she’s just worried.” 

“‘S not that.” 

“Then what?” He asked, pushing the teen back a step so he could lift his chin. He tried to resist it, embarrassed by the state of his face, but he caught Tony’s gaze and stopped. 

He cared. Not about the fact, his face was a blubbering mess of snot and tears, but because he was upset. He looked upset because Peter was. 

“I’m scared,” he admitted, barely above a whisper. 

“Of what?” 

“I don’t know what’s happening to me.” 

“I know, bud. I'm scared too, but you know why that’s okay?” 

“Why?” 

“Because you’ve got me. And you’ve got May and your friends and together nothing bad is ever going to happen to you. You don’t need to be afraid,” he promised, carding a hand through his hair. 

“But I might never be Spider-Man again.” 

“Don’t think like that, Pete. We’re gonna find out what’s causing this and once we do, we either fix it or figure out how to live with it. Neither of those end by hanging up the suit, I promise.” 

“How can you know?” 

“Because I’m Tony Stark,” he answered with so much confidence he almost believed him. 

Peter snorted lightly, shaking his head. 

“Trust me. You’re gonna be okay,” Tony insisted. 

“Okay,” he said. 

He doesn’t know if he said anything after that because the world turns black. 

Tony smiled softly, squeezing the kid's shoulder. He couldn’t imagine how the kid must be feeling right now. He felt bad enough worrying over the kid, but to actually be him? To have something wrong and not know what? He couldn’t blame him for being afraid, but a parent's job was to keep their kids safe and happy and he’d be damned if he let Peter believe his worst fears would come true. He’d do whatever it took to fix this. 

“Trust me, you’re gonna be okay.” 

Peter gave a watery smile back. “Okay,” he whispered, eyes rolling to the back of his head and slumping forward into him. 

“Shit!” Tony exclaimed, hooking his arms under his shoulders and lowering them to the floor slowly. He cursed again when they were safely seated on the floor, automatically reaching for his pulse point like he had the past two times Peter had collapsed. Like the previous times, his pulse was strong under his fingertips. 

He let out a breath of relief, arranging the kid in his lap so his head was cradled in the crook of his elbow, leaving him a hand free to card through his hair. 

“You’re okay, Pete. You’re gonna be okay.” 

He predicted it was over a minute before the kid showed signs of waking, eyebrows scrunching together with a small whine escaping. 

“Nice and easy, Pete. You’re okay.” 

“Huh?” He asked, peeling an eye open. “Oh no.” 

“Afraid so, buddy. Luckily no injuries this time.” 

“Boss, incoming message from Doctor Cho. She’s requesting you meet her in MedBay.” 

“Maybe those sensors picked something up after all.” 

“Sorry,” Peter muttered, letting Tony help him to his feet. 

“Nothing to be sorry for, kid,” he said, picking up Peter like an overgrown toddler. 

“Hey, you know I can walk,” he argued weakly. 

“I know, but after seeing you look dead for a minute, I’d rather not risk it. Just accept being a sloth until we get you fixed up, a rare opportunity.” 

Peter huffed, wrapping his limbs around Tony and accepting fate. 

“I don’t understand,” Peter muttered, staring down at the stats on Helen’s stark pad. 

“That makes two of us. How do his growth spurts have anything to do with this?” 

“I believe it’s his metabolism causing this. It's effectively running on overdrive to fulfil its usual functions, but now he’s hit puberty, his body is using too much energy too fast.” 

“So he just… short circuits?” 

“Effectively.” 

“I’m passing out because my metabolism can’t handle me growing? Does that mean I’m not going to grow?” 

“You are growing, that’s why this is happening. I took your height and weight in scans last week and noticed you’re half an inch taller than the last time I recorded it.”

Peter considered the doctor's words, trying to get his head around it all. “So… the burst of energy from my growth spurts basically causes my body to just… stop?” 

“Essentially, yes. I’m pretty confident this is the reason you’re blacking out.”

“How do we stop it?” Tony questioned.

“I’m not sure if we can. When it happens, he has a sudden drop in blood pressure and sugar levels, even though seconds before it they’re at normal levels,” she explained to him before turning back to Peter.  “I’d suggest increasing your calorie intake by 500. If it doesn’t help you can decrease back to your normal level, but it’s worth a shot.” 

Tony frowned, crossing his arms. “And if that doesn’t work?” 

“Then we’ll try something else, but I’ve never seen this before, Tony. We’re in uncharted territory, especially since Peter’s abilities and differences in genetics aren’t well studied, it makes giving a fast solution impossible.” 

“So I’m going to be like this until I stop growing?” Peter asked, paler than a ghost. 

“No,” Tony assured quickly. “I promised, remember? I’m going to figure out how to fix this.” 

Peter stayed quiet, hanging his head with a face Tony knew well. Peter didn’t believe him, but he didn’t want to argue. 

Tony sighed, wishing he could somehow prove to the kid they weren’t just empty words. “Why don’t we head back upstairs, I’ll order your favourite pizza whilst you call your aunt and brainstorm some solutions.” 

Peter nodded, lifting his shirt so Helen could peel off the sensor plates. 

“Tony’s right, Peter. We’ll fix this.” 

“Thanks, Doctor Cho.” 

“Any time. You know where to find me.” 

She gave one last smile, picked up her tablet and headed out of the room. 

Tony cocked his head, watching the kid think. “I can practically hear you thinking, bud.” 

“Loud thoughts I guess.” 

Tony raised an eyebrow, taken aback by his response. “Please don’t stress yourself out about this, Pete. I promise you I’ll have a solution in… about 12 hours.” 

“That’s unrealistic.” 

“Optimistic, maybe. But it’s better than watching you mope. How about this, one week tops and I’ll have you back to normal.” 

“And if you don’t?”

“You can have Dum-E.” 

A small smile crept on Peter’s face and it felt like a weight lifted off Tony’s shoulders. “There we go. That’s the kid I know. Come on, pizzas won’t eat themselves,” Tony cooed, playfully dragging Peter off the exam table. Instead of heading out though, he pulled the kid into a hug, pressing a kiss into his unruly curls and if the speed at which Peter accepted the hug was anything to go by, he’d say he needed it. 

“A week, bud. That’s all I need.” 

Chapter Text

“Tony, please,” Pepper emplored, gently pulling at his shoulder so he’d turn in his chair to face her. 

He sighed, too exhausted to resist. He’d been in the lab since Peter went to bed over five hours ago trying to think of a way to fix him. Because that was what he did. He fixed things and if he couldn’t help the people he cared about, what use was he? 

Pepper smiled sadly down at him. She was exhausted too, having only just returned from Beijing on a business trip, but once she discovered Tony wasn’t in their room, she tracked him here and refused to leave until Tony came to bed. That was twenty minutes ago. 

“I can’t, Pep. You know I can’t.”

“Well brainstorming on no sleep isn’t going to get you very far, come to bed.” 

“And tell him tomorrow morning that I haven’t figured anything out yet? Wait for him to pass out in the shower and split his head open?” 

Pepper sighed, “Tony, that's not going to happen.” 

“Too right. That kid’s showering sitting down for the foreseeable,” he muttered, trying to rid the mental images from his mind. 

“You’ll figure something out I’m sure, but not now. Not when your blood pressure is through the roof from stress.” 

“My blood pressure is -“

“Bordering on concerning,” she interjected. 

Tony huffed, “I was going to say none of your concern.” 

“Even though we both know it is. Come on. Don’t make me order Friday to delete everything you’ve been working on just to make you sleep.” 

Tony gawked at her, allowing himself to be pulled off of his seat so she could coax him towards the elevator. “That’s a dirty trick.” 

“I’ve done it before and I’ll do it again,” she said with a cunning smile, walking backwards so she forced Tony out holding his one hand with both of hers. 

“You’re a mean woman, Miss Potts.” 

“Mister Stark, as requested I am informing you Peter has just woken up.” 

Tony groaned, rolling onto his front and burying his face in his pillows. Usually, Friday wouldn’t dream of waking him this early, but she was under strict instructions in the light of the recent events. 

“Time is it?” He rasped with his morning breath, cracking one eye open. 

“It is 8:42.” 

“Does the kid not know what a Saturday is? What happened to teenagers sleeping until midday.” 

“It’s as if you should have gone to sleep earlier,” Pepper murmured from her side of the bed, fresh from sleep.

“It’s also too early for ‘I told you so’.” 

“He is now going for a shower,” the AI informed. 

Tony bolted upright, breath caught in his throat. “What?! I told him he wasn’t allowed!” 

“He did ask me not to tell you, however, that is against new protocol.” 

“Too fucking right it is - tell that kid-“

“Tony, you can’t stop him from showering, it’s unhygienic,” Pepper interrupted, propping herself up on an elbow.

“Unhygienic is his brains splattered across the bathroom tiles,” Tony retorted, throwing the sheets back. 

Pepper raised an unimpressed eyebrow, paired with her ‘you’re being dramatic face’ that Tony knew oh so well. 

“Fine. Tell him to sit down at least and if he doesn’t, turn off the water supply. And warn him if he passes out it’s his fault if I have the scarring ordeal of seeing him naked.” 

“I have relayed your message, but he insisted he’ll be fine,” Friday responded. 

“That kid wouldn’t know fine if it hit him in the face,” Tony muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose. 

“Are you gonna go? I need more sleep.” 

“Charming. Cast out of my own room.” 

“Go,” Pepper insisted, throwing a small cushion at him. 

“So demanding,” he muttered, grabbing some clean clothes and heading to the bathroom himself. 

“How is he, Fri?” He asked once the door was shut. 

“Vitals normal, he is currently singing ABBA.” 

“He sings in the shower? Why does that not surprise me.” 

Tony continued dressing, going for his usual sweatpants and hoodie for chilling out in. He needed to get back down to the lab, but he couldn’t do that until he had a way to keep Peter safe down there. 

“Boss, Peter is now out of the shower and dressing for the day.” 

“Good. Thanks, Fri, as weird as these updates would be out of context.” 

He splashed some water over his face, taking stock of his reflection which looked more jagged than usual. Pepper was right, he really should have gone to bed earlier. Even after he finally succumbed to sleep it wasn’t a restful night. Asleep, he’d dream of Peter unconscious in the middle of the road and awake he’d worry over similar scenarios. Impossible ones he knew couldn’t happen, but his overactive mind didn’t care.

Now he sported dark bags the size of suitcases under his eyes and this was only night three. 

He sighed, wiping off the excess water with his sleeve and headed out. He reached the corridor at the same time Peter did, meeting his gaze with a wide smile. 

Tony opened his mouth, good morning on the tip of his tongue when he saw Peter’s features suddenly go lax and his eyes roll into the back of his head. 

“Peter!” He cried, diving forward and catching him before his head could rebound off of the floor. He was too off balance to keep himself upright, lowering himself to the floor and pulling Peter close to his chest.

He immediately reached for the pulse point on the kid's neck because anyone would believe that he’d just dropped dead. He went from his happy usual self to unresponsive within one second and that terrified him. 

He let out a deep sigh of relief when he found a strong pulse under his fingers. “Jesus Christ, kid.” 

A few seconds later, Peter began to stir, head lolling to the side as he fought his way back to consciousness. “Ugh.” 

“Good morning to you too.”

He finally forced his eyes open, blinking up confused. “Mister Stark?” 

“Yup.” 

Realisation dawned on him, but today he was more upset than embarrassed. “It happened already.” 

“It did. I’m just glad I caught you that time.” 

“Thank you.” 

“No need to thank me, kid. I was doing it purely for myself, blood stains are terrible to get out of the carpets.” 

That got a laugh from Peter and Tony smiled at the sound. If he couldn’t fix Peter, the least he could do was make sure he was happy. 

“Wanna help your old man up?” 

Peter nodded, jumping to his feet easily and offering out a hand to Tony which he took. 

“You feeling okay?” 

“Totally normal. Hungry though.” 

“So your usual state,” he teased, looping an arm over Peter’s shoulder and began walking slowly towards the living area. “Pancakes?” 

“Depends, are you cooking them?” 

“You ungrateful -“ Tony swatted his arm playfully. “If you asked nicely I would have ordered some in. Now you have to suffer my cooking.” 

“I’m only joking, your pancakes are good!” He promised, still giggling as he allowed himself to fall back in step with Tony. “It’s your homemade curry that sucks.” 

“One more comment on my cooking and you’re making your own pancakes.” 

“I’m sorry!” 

“I guess you haven’t figured out a solution for this stupid growth spurt thing, then?” Peter asked halfway through their silent breakfast. 

Tony felt a pang of guilt, picking at his blueberry pancake. “I’m sorry kid. It’s gonna take time.” 

As if he wasn’t feeling bad enough, the kid visibly slumped, more dejected than ever. 

“I asked for a week, Pete. I’ll figure it out.” 

“Not that I don’t believe in you, but I don’t think there is a way.” 

“There’s a way to fix anything if you try enough.” 

“What about world hunger?” 

“There is a solution, it’s just very political.” 

“Maybe Doctor Cho could help?” Peter suggested. 

“Helen’s a doctor, kid. A damn good one, but no amount of surgery will fix this, at least not that I can think of. I’d also prefer a solution that doesn’t involve brain surgery,” he added with a shudder.

Peter nodded grimly, resting his cutlery down on his empty plate. “I’m with you on that one.”

“Have you spoken to May?” 

Peter nodded, “she said she’d call you on her lunch break. She said I shouldn’t be home alone which makes sense and since she’s working extra hours it means I’d have to stay here if you’re not busy of course.” 

Tony felt himself relax, glad he could keep Peter under his watchful eye. “Never busy for you, kid. Fri, what’s my calendar for the next week looking like?” 

“You have an in-person meeting with the company's stakeholders and -“ 

“Clear them. Block out my diary.” 

“Mister Stark, you can’t do that!” Peter protested, looking amusingly shocked. 

“Really? I thought I just did.” 

“Not because of me. That’s too important.” 

“Mm mm. You’re important. Pepper is important. Business meetings come and go. It’ll probably get cancelled anyways,” he said, a smug smile still on his face. 

“Still, I feel bad.” 

“Well, I feel bad that I haven’t fixed you yet so I guess that makes two of us feeling like shit.” 

He instantly regretted his off-handed quip, remembering the kid didn’t hide his insecurities in sarcasm and misplaced jokes. 

“I… I’m sorry, Mister Stark. I don’t expect you to-to fix whatever this is. I don’t even really know what this is.” 

Tony sighed, putting a hand on Peter’s shoulder. “Kid, you’re gonna pop a vein worrying. Don’t. I’m gonna fix this. It’s what I do. I can’t do a lot of things in life but what I do is protect the things I can’t live without. That’s you and Pepper. So I’m figuring this out.” 

Peter ducked his head sheepishly, a small smile tugging his lips. “Thank you.” 

Tony smiled back, ruffling his hair. 

“Boss, your priority package has arrived and is in the elevator.” 

Tony smirked, sliding off the island seat and jogging over to the elevator. It chimed open and he grabbed it. This is going to go down well , he thought as he made his way back over to Peter. He placed the clear bag down in front of the teen whose eyes narrowed on the item. 

“No offence, Mister Stark, but I don’t think you’d be very good at skateboarding.” 

“They’re not for me.” 

Peter’s eyes widened, pushing the safety pads away. “No. Nope, I am not wearing them.” 

“This is the condition if you want to be in the lab.” 

“I am not wearing elbow pads!” 

Tony hummed, pushing the package back to him. “Maybe we can compromise as long as the helmet stays on.” 

He had to admit the pack was a little excessive. It had wrist guards, knee and elbow pads, and a helmet. All things Tony would be happier with Peter wearing, but he understood why the kid didn’t want to wear them. 

Peter pressed his lips into a line, pulling open the bag and lifting out the grey skate helmet. He glanced up disapprovingly at Tony, silently pleading with him, but he stayed firm. 

“Just try it on. You might like it.” 

Peter didn’t look convinced, but he did it anyway. As expected, it fit perfectly. He did have all the kid's measurements for suits after all.

Tony broke into a smile, a knot in his chest unravelling seeing Peter somewhat safer.

“I feel stupid,” he pouted. 

“You don’t look it.” 

“I do. I’m inside, sat at breakfast in a helmet.” 

Tony chuckled, rolling his eyes. “You’re overthinking it.” 

“This is just for the lab, right?” 

Tony shrugged, nodding. If he had his way, the kid would wear it unless he was lying in bed or on the sofa with his head resting on Tony’s lap. Places where it was safe for the kid to spontaneously pass out, but he knew he couldn’t enforce that. 

“I guess I can live with that,” Peter said begrudgingly, setting the helmet down next to his empty plate.

“Great. Eat this and we can get down there,” Tony said, swapping out Peter’s plate for his almost untouched pancake. 

“Are you not gonna eat that?” 

“Nope.”

“Thanks, Mister Stark.” 

“Put this on,” Tony instructed, handing him a brain wave monitor that looped over an ear. He’d spent the past hour fine-tuning the device so it could pick up even the smallest anomalies. He hoped it could pick up something they’d been missing up to now, but he didn’t want to get too excited. Hope leads to disappointment. 

“How am I supposed to put this on with my helmet?” 

Tony frowned. He didn’t think of that. He could scratch genius from his personality traits. “Maybe sit on the sofa and take your helmet off.”

“Are you sure?” Peter questioned teasingly, head butting Tony’s shoulder. 

“Watch it, you. I'm just trying to keep your head in one piece, you should be thanking me.” 

“Oh thank you so -“ 

Alarm bells sounded in his head as soon as Peter stopped talking suddenly. He spun around, seeing the kid wavering and slowly toppling over towards the floor. 

He let out a yell, reaching forward and grabbing the back of his midtown sweatshirt. 

It yanked his neck harshly, dragging him back so Tony could support his weight, but there was no other way. “I’ve got ya’, I’ve got ya,” he murmured, lowering them to the ground so the kid sat in his crossed lap. “This has to stop, buddy. My heart can’t take this,” he complained, fingers finding his pulse point to confirm the kid was okay. 

He let out an exhausted sigh, seeing a red mark on his throat from the hoodie. He grimaced, feeling impossibly worse about the whole situation, and pressed a kiss into his hair. “You’re gonna be alright, kid. You take your time.” 

Peter took another minute to wake up this time. Tony was almost getting concerned before the telltale groans started up. 

“There he is. Come back to me, bud.” 

“Huh?” 

“Trying to put your helmet to use already,” he teased lightly, patting his helmet still very much in place. 

Peter groaned again, more from frustration now. “I hate this.” 

“I know you do. It’s not my favourite new development either.” 

Peter hummed, not making any move to get up. Instead, he nuzzled his face closer into Tony’s chest and he squeezed his arms around the teen in return. 

“Hey, at least I’ve discovered a new skill. I’ve got a great catch on me. Not sure if that’s specific to spider babies though.” 

“Very funny.” 

“You feeling okay?” 

“I guess. Just want it to stop. What if I grow for years?” 

Tony sighed, resting his cheek against his helmet. “Sorry to break it to you, bud, but most people usually do.” 

That received another sad groan, head butting Tony’s chest gently. 

“I’m working on it. I won’t stop,” he promised, holding him tighter. 

“I don’t wanna work on Karen anymore. Not when I can’t be Spider-Man.” 

“We’ll find something else to work on. I’ve been thinking of making a new suit. What do you think, want to help me make mark 91?” 

Peter shrugged, staring at the floor. Do better , his mind urged. 

“Or I was going to change out the engine in one of my race cars, make some improvements “ 

Peter perked up, looking up with a sparkle of hope that made Tony’s veins flood with relief. “What kind of improvements?” 

“Two in a day isn’t so bad I guess,” Peter decided, throwing his legs over Tony’s lap as they hung out on the sofa watching a movie that neither of them was paying attention to.

“It’s enough,” Tony muttered, still trying to make sense of the brain waves firing in the kid. “Remember to sit down when you’re showering tomorrow morning.” 

Peter’s response was a sad hum, taking Tony’s attention away from his phone. He put down the device, putting a hand on Peter’s knee. 

“What is it?” 

“Can we maybe go for a walk tomorrow?” He asked with a small voice. Tony could understand his hesitation in asking. 

“Peter…” 

“I can’t stay inside all day again. I’m going insane.” 

“Do you want to give me a heart attack?” 

“I… I’ll wear the helmet.” 

Tony sighed, dropping his hand back on the sofa. The kid looked so desperate. How could he say no to him? He already felt like a control freak with this whole situation, and now he was scared of asking for some fresh air. He wanted to say yes, he wanted to give everything the kid ever wanted, but it wasn’t that simple. 

“I’ll think about it.” 

The morning started off much like the day before. He woke to Friday informing him Peter was having a shower and Pepper promptly pushed him out of bed so she could carry on dozing. Luckily, Peter didn’t swan dive as soon as he left his room which was a small blessing, but it also fuelled his pleas to leave the tower. 

“Why don’t you walk over to Peter’s apartment? He is running out of things to wear here,” Pepper suggested, making herself a bowl of cereal whilst the pair started on their bacon sandwiches. 

“And I could grab my laptop!” Peter added excitedly. 

Tony sighed, wishing Pepper for once could be on his side. “That’s way too far. I also wouldn’t want to walk that on a normal day.” 

“Why don’t you go to Central Park? Do a lap, and then drive over and pick up some stuff.” 

“You’ll wear your helmet?” 

Peter nodded eagerly, mouth full of food. 

“Well, you have to deal with the press if he collapses and I’m front page news with an unconscious child in my arms.” 

Peter cringed, as did Pepper but she hid it much better than the kid. 

“It’ll be fine. You can wear your disguise,” Pepper said.

“Yeah, I’ll look even more stupid than the kid.” 

“Hey!” 

“So… how’s Michelle?” 

Peter frowned, glancing back at him as he walked. Currently, they were halfway around their lap in Central Park which they’d done in silence if it wasn’t for Peter thinking so loudly Tony could practically hear it. He opted that maybe taking him out of his thoughts would be beneficial. 

“Uh, fine I think. She text me saying school sucked Friday and I didn’t miss anything.” 

“Have you asked her on a date yet?” 

Peter choked on his breath, stopping in his step. “What?” 

“What? I'm just wondering,” Tony said with a smug smirk. 

“Why would I ask her on a date?” Peter asked, elbowing past him. 

“Because you like her, or are things not that simple for you millennials?” 

“Firstly I’m Gen-Z, second, I don’t like her.” 

“ Oh , you’re in denial.” 

“Shut up, no I’m not.” 

“You should tell her. I think you’d be surprised at her answer.” 

“I'm not telling her. I'm not asking her on a date. We’re friends,” he insisted stubbornly, pouting as they walked. 

“You know when I was your age…”

It was funny, Tony almost thought he was rolling his eyes before his eyelids fluttered shut and his knees buckled. “Shit,” he yelped, grabbing the backpack he made him wear so he didn’t have to yank him by the collar again. 

He wrapped his arms strongly around his middle and looked around for a bench. He spotted one a few yards away and gracelessly shuffled towards it before sinking back. 

He ignored the surprised stares, sitting Peter down next to him and taking his wrist to check for the strong beat that was always there. He had to be certain. 

“This is what I was afraid of,” he muttered, smiling at a concerned passerby. “He’s just tired,” he assured one woman who must have seen him go since she stopped in front of the pair, eyeing Peter. 

“Are you sure? Is he your son?” 

“Yes. Yep. He is, all good here, don’t worry.” 

Her eyes narrowed on him, but thankfully she continued walking. 

“You’re showing me up, kid.” 

As if in response, he hummed, throwing up a lazy hand to rub at his eyes. 

“Rise and shine.” 

He blinked awake, taking in the scene of the pond in front of them. “Shit.” 

“My thoughts exactly. I mean, I knew I was about to reminisce with a boring story, but most people would have just changed the subject.”

“Very funny,” Peter muttered, straightening his helmet. “I assume you caught me?” 

“Don’t I always? Eat this,” he said, pulling out a cereal bar from his pocket. 

“Where did you get that?” 

“I thought if it's a drop in energy, maybe eating something after it happens could help. Humour me.” 

Peter didn’t protest, pealing it open and taking a bite. 

“I think a woman thought I was trying to kidnap you.”

The kid laughed, swallowing his mouthful of granola which looked more like cardboard than a snack. “I guess it might have looked a little weird.” 

“A little weird, he says.” 

“Can we carry on walking? I don’t want to go home yet.” 

Tony smiled, trying not to dwell on the fact Peter referred to the tower as home. “Sure. I guess since it’s happened once we may as well go again.” 

The next day Peter didn’t pass out once. Perhaps it was a none-growing day for the kid, he didn’t get it, but it made him more on edge. He was just waiting for it to happen again. Peter on the other hand was ecstatic. He couldn’t blame him for being hopeful, he always did look on the bright side, but it would hurt all the more seeing him crushed once it inevitably happened again. 

Tony also knew that hope could be dangerous. 

Friday informed him Peter tried showering standing up that morning after a clear day and Tony had to turn the water off until Peter agreed to sit down. The kid then proceeded to take his helmet off in the lab to get a closer look at the engine they were upgrading and there lay their second argument of the day. 

He wished he could be as optimistic as Peter,  but he couldn’t afford that. Not when the kid’s well-being was at stake. 

In the end, it was Tony’s complacency too. 

“Boss, Pepper wants to see you immediately in the kitchen,” Friday informed two hours into their lab session. 

Tony grimaced, putting down the smouldering iron in his hand. “By immediately, do you mean she’s angry or -“ 

“I would say angry, yes.” 

“Well, shit,” he muttered, pushing his chair back and heading for the lift. “Wish me luck, kid. Come save me if I’m not back soon.” 

“Good luck, Mister Stark!” 

“Tony, you cancelled a board meeting?” Pepper demanded as soon as Tony entered the living area. Her eyes were narrow and honed in on his. She was pissed. 

Tony frowned. A board meeting? He didn’t- “Oh… is that what that thing was?” 

“I ask one thing of you every month. One thing,” she hissed, pacing the kitchen. 

“I didn’t realise this was the thing! You know what we’ve been dealing with.” 

“That doesn’t mean your responsibilities suddenly disappear! This is your company.”

“I didn't know! I didn't even realise Friday could cancel those kinds of things.” 

“Well, she can,” she retorted hotly. “Something else for you to fix.” 

Tony hung his head, gripping the marble edge of the kitchen island. “Were they annoyed?” 

“What do you think?” 

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know,” he confessed in a low voice. It was true. Friday never mentioned it was that meeting when she mentioned the stakeholders. He’d been too busy trying to make the kid happy to even question it. 

“Just… don’t do it again. I informed them you had the flu. They’ve agreed to rearrange for two weeks’ time.” 

“I won’t miss it.” 

Pepper nodded, satisfied, taking a sip out of her coffee. “How is he?” 

“Hopeful. It’s killing me.” 

She hummed, leaning back against the counter. Her face was softer now, anger slowly dissipating. “Maybe it was just a random spell.” 

“I can’t let myself think like that.” 

“Maybe you should…” She fell silent when the elevator chimed across the room. 

Tony turned around to see Peter appearing out of it. He was wearing a wide smile, helmet in one hand and Tony's Phone in his other. 

“Hey Mister Stark, your phone started ringing loads so I…” 

It was too late. 

Tony already knew there was no way he'd be able to reach him but that didn't mean he didn't try. “No no no!” He yelled, sprinting forward and diving towards him. It wasn't enough. 

Peter fell forward, eyes rolling into the back of his head before hitting the ground face first with a sickening crunch. 

Tony hit the ground seconds later. His elbow jarred and his ribs took the brunt of the fall, arm still outstretched towards Peter uselessly. He hissed at the impact but wasted no time pushing himself to his feet and stumbling the rest of the way over. 

His eyes never left Peter. Never even blinked before he got the kid within arms reach. 

“Oh, God. Oh no. No, no, no,” he whimpered, pulling Peter up and back into his arms so he rested against his chest. “Oh God, Pete.” 

His nose was a bloody mess along with most of his face. It was still bleeding freely, making for a horrible sight. “Friday!” 

“Helen is on her way,” she assured hurriedly. 

“You're okay, you're okay,” he promised, frantically brushing the hair out of his face and checking for more injuries. He had no idea how hurt he was. All he knew was he didn't catch him and now he was hurt and wouldn't wake up. 

“Tony,” he heard next to him, followed by a hand on his shoulder, but he barely registered it. Air was thin and hard to come by and his breaths were shallow and irregular but he didn't care. 

All he cared about was his fingers wrapped around the kid's wrist, feeling the reassuring thrum of his heartbeat. 

“Tony, he's going to be okay. He probably just broke his nose.” 

“Is that supposed to make me feel better?” he gasped between breaths, trying to keep Peter's head tilted forward so he didn't choke on blood. 

“Tony!” 

He snapped his head up, seeing Helen jogging over with a med kit and another nurse trailing behind. 

“He won't wake up. He won't wake up,” he repeated desperately, holding onto Peter like a lifeline. 

“He fell?” 

She wasn’t asking him. She was looking at Pepper. 

“He was walking towards us and he passed out. Face first,” she explained, shaken.

“Okay, that’s okay.” 

“I didn’t catch him. He fell and I - I tried .” 

“It’s not your fault, Tones. This isn’t your fault.” 

Tony shook his head. They didn’t understand. He couldn’t fix him, he couldn’t even keep him safe whilst he tried to. 

“Peter?” Helen asked, looking at the kid. 

Tony looked down, seeing him groan, but his eyes didn’t open. 

“Kid, please,” he begged.

Peter dropped his head back onto Tony’s chest, moaning in pain before he started choking. 

“No, no, Pete. Head forward,” he instructed, but Peter was panicking now. 

He coughed and spluttered and fought against the hand pushing him forward in a blind struggle. Tony’s heart broke when the kid started to cry. 

He coughed out the blood that dropped back, coating his lips and chin maroon. 

Luckily, his head stayed forwards and his breathing evened out enough for him to open his eyes. 

“There you go, you’re okay.” 

“Mis’er S’ark,” he rasped. 

“I know, I know, kid. We’re gonna get you fixed up.” 

“I’ll take him for a CT scan, just to be sure there’s no damage and reset his nose.” 

“Thank you,” he whispered, noticing how the kid wrapped his arms around him, tucking his head under Tony’s chin. “You okay to walk?” 

He didn’t get a response, Peter just clung tighter, hiding his face from everyone. His shirt was undoubtedly ruined but he didn’t care. “Want me to carry you?” 

“Tony, your back-“ 

“It’s fine.” He insisted, bundling the kid up and slowly rising to his feet. “There we go, I’ve got you.” 

He followed Helen to the elevator, keeping Peter close to his chest. He glanced down, finding him still tucked close. 

“We'll get you some morphine when we get to medbay, Peter,” Helen said once the elevator whirred to life. 

“Don't wan’ it,” he mumbled and Tony realised he’d used his adhesiveness to cling to him further. A part of him found it endearing. 

“We can't reset your nose without it.” 

“‘S fine. Had worse.” 

Tony sighed, hating how dejected the kid sounded. This was what he was afraid of. Not that it would happen again, because he knew it would, but for Peter to have his hope trampled. 

Pepper found Tony when he was waiting for Helen to run the CT scan. Even with his eyes open, the scene replayed on repeat in his head. Peter falling. Hitting the ground with no one to help. Nothing cushioned his fall when his head rebounded off the floor. 

This wasn’t happening again. 

He wasn’t going to sit outside of medbay waiting for his kid to get a head scan again because he wasn’t fast enough. 

“How’s he doing?” 

“He’s barely speaking. Thought he wouldn’t want me to leave after the way he acted going here, but as soon as Helen said I needed to leave he just let go. Wouldn’t even look at me.” He didn’t blink. The tears threatening to fall would get their wish if he blinked. He had to stay strong. 

“You said it yourself, he’s probably just downhearted,” Pepper murmured, wrapping an arm over his shoulders.  

“I’m going to Wakanda,” he announced, eyes trained straight ahead. 

“What? Why?” 

“I’m taking Peter tonight. I called T’Challa and he seemed positive his sister would be able to help.” 

“But Wakanda, Tony? You can’t just uproot the kid and go.” 

“Why? He can’t go to school, he can’t do anything if he randomly faints every day.” 

Pepper pressed her lips into a line, the way she did when she agreed, but didn’t like it. “How long will you be gone for?” 

“I don’t know. Ideally, she’ll fix him in a few days, but look at how successful I’ve been.” 

“Don’t be so hard on yourself, Tony.” 

He rolled his eyes childishly, looking away. 

“Tony?” 

He looked up, finding Helen smiling back with something mixed between sympathy and pity. 

“How is he?” He immediately asked, rising to his feet. 

“Scans are clear. The only injuries are the broken nose which I’ve now set and a bruised jaw.” 

“Can I see him?” 

“Of course, he’s on morphine though so he might get a little sleepy.” 

Tony nodded, noticing in his periphery that Pepper didn’t follow him. He walked through the door still held open by Helen and found Peter sitting cross-legged above the sheets, pouting. 

“Hey kiddo,” he said, trying to hide his grimace when Peter looked up with a crusty nose and two black eyes as a result. He wasn’t greeted with the kid's usual enthusiasm, instead, he offered a half smile, if you could even call it that, before looking back down at the sheets miserably. 

“How are you feeling?” 

He shrugged, keeping his eyes down. 

“We’re going to Wakanda.”

Peter’s head snapped up, eyes comically wide. “Wha’?” He asked nasally, no doubt his nose was blocked. 

“King T'Challa said his sister might know how to help you.” 

“Really?” 

“He said, ‘there’s nothing she cannot mend’ quote, unquote.” 

Tony’s heart almost burst when Peter gave him a toothy smile, the sparkle returning to his bloodshot eyes. “When are we going?” 

“Now.” 

“Am I allowed to leave?” 

Tony shrugged. “Helen said you’ll probably want to sleep off the painkillers any time now, so you may as well do that on the jet over there.” 

“Does May know?” 

“I’ll call her and update her on what’s happened,” Pepper said, appearing in the door frame. It was endearing how concerned she looked. “I’ll make sure everything’s sorted out on our side.” 

“I don’t think I have a passport.” 

“It’s fine, not needed, but I am putting that on my to-do list for when this is all over,” Tony said, making a mental note. 

“I don’t think I really need -“ 

“Nope. How can I ever take you on surprise vacations if you have no passport, but that’s beside the point. Wakanda. What do you say, kid?” 

He smiled, jumping off of the hospital bed. “Let’s go.” 

The flight took over three hours and Peter managed to sleep for the entire duration. Something to do with increasing his healing ability he assumed. The bruising on his face was already fading from black and blue to browns and yellows. It still made his stomach churn seeing it, but at least it was getting better. 

“Rise and shine, kiddo,” Tony murmured, shaking the kid gently on the shoulder. He slept across the seats in front of him so he could keep an eye on him. The kid mentioned something about not being allowed to sit directly opposite someone on a private jet, but Tony didn’t get it, insisting he could sit wherever he wanted. 

Peter’s eyebrows furrowed adorably, smacking his lips once, twice, and then he cracked an eye open. “Time ‘s it?” 

“Time to admire the view.” He pulled him up to a sitting position, pointing out of the window closest to them. 

Tony watched his reaction, deciding that was better than the view. The kid's eyes widened, jaw completely slack as he stared in pure awe. “Wow.” 

“Pretty, amazing, huh?” 

The kid nodded, unblinking as he continued to take in as far as the eye could see. 

The sky was an aurora sunset, glowing over acres of land. There were hills and mountains in the distance, and dots of exotic animals roamed freely in the planes below. It was a sight to behold. 

“Can we explore?” He asked, not taking his eyes off the view. 

“Maybe after you’re better.” 

Peter’s excitement wavered for a second, but like the optimist he was, he shook it off pretty quickly, returning to admire the view. 

Wakanda was as impressive as Tony imagined, if not more. The king had a security detail meet them as soon as they landed and took them into the palace to meet him. There was only so much Tony could admire though with one eye on the kid and hand at the ready to catch him. 

“You must be Peter,” T’Challa greeted, shaking Peter’s hand who looked star-struck. 

“Hi Your Majesty, Mister Black Panther Sir.” 

“It’s Your Highness,” Tony corrected, making the kid stutter. 

T’Challa laughed, squeezing him on the shoulder.

“Thank you for letting us come on such short notice,” Tony said, shaking his hand. 

The king gave an understanding nod, gesturing them forward. “It is no trouble. Come, let me take you to my sister.” 

“Shuri, I’ve brought you someone to meet,” T’Challa called once they walked into what Tony could only describe as the most high-tech lab he’d ever seen. Not that he’d admit that out loud, of course. 

Moments later a woman appeared dressed in a white dress and sneakers. “Oh, another broken white boy for me to fix, my favorite!” 

Tony snorted, liking the woman’s energy already. 

“I-I’m Peter.”

“He’s started randomly fainting because of his growth spurts, essentially taking too much of his energy,” T’Challa explained. 

Tony watched her closely as she ran her eyes over the kid as if she was analysing him. Pepper would tell him he was being overprotective, but who could blame him? 

“Weird. Enhanced metabolism?” She asked Peter. 

“Mhm.” 

“How much do you eat a day?” 

“About four thousand calories?” He answered, looking to Tony who nodded. 

Shuri hummed, not taken aback in the slightest. “I assume you’ve tried eating more.” 

“Yep, we’ve tried everything. Nothing works,” Tony explained grimly.

“Sit up here?” She asked, heading over to a sheer metal table and tapping on it. 

Shuri pulled out a console, clicking some buttons Tony was trying to decipher and suddenly a holographic scanner ran up and down the length of the kid's body. 

He flashed Peter a reassuring smile, noticing how tense he suddenly appeared. 

“You seem completely healthy,” Shuri said, frowning at the readings. 

Tony nodded. “That’s our problem.” 

“And then you just collapse?” 

Peter nodded, chewing at his lip. 

“My doctor in New York said it’s as if his brain just stops for a second from a drop of energy and that’s why he collapses,” Tony explained. 

“And I assume the last time that happened you went face first?” 

Peter nodded, unphased by the blunt question. Tony couldn’t say the same. 

“I might have an idea.” 

“Really?” Peter asked. 

She nodded, turning on her heels and walking towards another workstation. 

Peter jumped off the table, following after her. 

This time when Peter’s legs buckled without a second of warning, Tony was hot on his tail and managed to grab him before he could undo Helen’s work on his nose. 

“Jesus, kid,” he muttered, yanking him back into his chest before lowering them down in his well-practised way. He glanced up to see Shuri staring back in surprise. “See the issue?”

“Wow, you weren’t kidding.” 

Tony sighed, pressing his fingers to the kid's pulse point on his wrist. “Yeah, it’s not ideal.” 

Something chimed, and Shuri pulled out a small tablet from her pocket. Her face lit up like a eureka moment. “That’s it!” 

“What?” 

“My systems were still monitoring his brain activity when he passed out. You were right, it does just cut off, but if I could make something that jump-starts it, maybe I could fix it.” 

“How could you do that?” He asked, keeping Peter close. He glanced down at him, hating how vulnerable he looked every time this happened. He might be Spider-Man, and he might know how to protect himself, but right now he was Peter Parker. He was his kid and he needed him. 

Shuri hummed, tapping at the tablet. “Maybe a small electric shock.” 

“I’m sorry what ?” 

“It would be harmless,” she assured quickly. “He wouldn't feel a thing, or not much at least. I think it might be a solution.” 

“And how would you deliver this electric shot?” 

“Maybe a small disc behind the ear. Something similar to…” she jogged over to a desk, grabbing something that he’d assume was vibranium. “This.” 

Tony’s suspicions were confirmed as soon as the disc landed in his hand. “And how would it deliver it?”

“It could monitor his brain waves, as soon as they stop, they deliver a small shock. It won’t stop them from happening, but instead of him collapsing it would look like a momentary stumble. By the time his knees wobble, he’ll be okay again.” 

“You could really do this?” He asked, doubtfully. 

Before she could answer, Peter groaned beneath Tony’s chin, taking both of their attention. 

“There we are.” He cocked his head so he could smile down at him when his eyes fluttered open. 

“Oh. Hi.”

“I’ve got a solution, Spider-Man,” Shuri said, crouching down in front of them. 

“Wait, really? I mean - I’m not Spider-Man.” 

Tony chuckled, shaking his head. “Is it that obvious?” 

“Yes.” 

“What gave it away?” He asked, letting Shuri help Peter to his feet and him shortly after. 

“You start teaming up with Spider-Man and suddenly Tony Stark starts caring about a kid. It’s not a big leap.”

“Damn. Can’t argue with that.” 

“You said you’ve fixed it?” Peter asked, brushing himself off. 

Shuri nodded, throwing what she had on her monitor into another hologram that displayed a chip behind an ear. “I’m going to create a device much like a brain wave monitor you’ve probably tried,  but when it gets a blank reading it’ll shock you. It won’t hurt, maybe a light pinching feeling.” 

“Awesome.” 

“If it works,” Tony grumbled. 

“It’ll work.” 

“How long will it take you to develop it?” 

“I don’t know, say eight hours tops? Most of the technology already exists, it’s just manipulating it to work how we want is the more challenging part.” 

Tony was lost for words for a moment. “Eight hours? You could do this in eight hours?” 

“I told you she was good,” T’Challa said with a grin, matching his sister’s. “Assuming this will be a day of work, would you like a tour of the city?” 

“Yes!” Peter cried, literally jumping on the spot with excitement. 

“Only if he puts his helmet on.”

“Mister Stark!” 

The pair ended up staying over in the palace so Shuri could do a full test on the device before trying it with Peter, something Tony was very supportive of. 

T’Challa roomed them in the guest quarters that were posher than most of the hotels he’d stayed at. He gave them connecting rooms which made Tony happier. He didn’t have Friday here watching over Peter so he opted to sleep on the luxury couch in the kid’s room. 

He didn’t get much sleep. Not when he’d witnessed Peter breaking his nose against his living room floor that morning. His mind was still reeling and the only thing that brought him an ounce of peace was watching his kid sleeping soundly across the room. 

Even in the dark, he could map out the bruises on his face. A constant reminder that he hadn’t done enough to keep him safe, but that was why they were here. 

He wondered if this was what it felt like to be a parent. To worry about their kid 24/7, but then for it to all be worth it when they smile. His happiest moments were always around Peter. His heart swelled every time the kid jokingly called him dad and he didn’t make much sense of it until now. He loved him. He loved that stupid self-sacrificing kid. If only he had the courage to say it out loud. 

“You’re sure this won’t hurt him?” Tony questioned, eyeing the small device under a magnifying glass

“The voltage isn’t high enough to even make it feel like a pinch. Nor is it dangerous to use on his brain. It’s just the right amount to kick it off again.” 

“And you’re completely-“ 

“Certain. Yes.” 

“Come on, Mister Stark, it’ll be fine,” Peter insisted, sitting on the same table as yesterday kicking his legs back and forth. 

Tony grumbled, giving the device back to Shuri. 

She smiled, walking over to Peter and applying it behind his ear. “The battery in it should last around eight years. If it malfunctions though, I can send another one out to you.” 

Tony nodded, eyeing the device once she stepped away. “So it’s done?” 

“All we need to do now is wait for Peter to collapse again and we’ll see if it works,” Shuri said, flashing the kid a smile. 

“Can we go for a walk?” 

In true Peter fashion, it didn’t take long for it to happen again, they were touring the palace when he let out a small noise, eyes rolling back and legs buckling. Tony lunged forward to catch him, but before he could grab him, Peter blinked awake. He stumbled forward yet he somehow kept his balance, holding his arms out. 

“Holy shit,” Peter cried, “it worked!” 

He turned to Tony with the most ecstatic look he’d ever seen and pounced on the man. 

Tony only just caught him, dropping one leg back to anchor the weight thrown onto him whilst the kid wrapped his limbs around him like an octopus. 

“It worked!” He repeated, grinning ear to ear.

“Did it hurt?” Tony asked, smiling back at him. 

Peter shook his head, choking out a sob. “I can be Spider-Man again.” 

“You can, kiddo.” 

Reluctantly, Peter hopped down, turning to Shuri. “Thank you. Thank you so much, your majesty.” 

Shuri screwed her nose up jokingly. “I’ll take your thank you if you promise to never call me that again.” 

“Oh, uh, sure.” 

“You’re welcome to stay for as long as you like, make sure there are no glitches,” Shuri offered, beaming proudly. 

“That’s very kind. I guess one more day wouldn’t hurt since we’re here.” 

“You’re the best!” Peter said, throwing himself into another hug. 

Tony chuckled, pressing a kiss into his hair. “Anything for you, Roos. Thank you, Shuri. If there’s anything you need, any time, call me.” 

“I’ll hold you to that, Tony Stark,” she said, giving a small wave before heading back to the lab with her brother. 

“I can’t believe it worked!” 

“Thank God it did, I’d have to pay my cleaner more if she had to remove blood stains every week.” 

Peter laughed, but quickly grew sombre. “I'm really going to be okay?” 

“You will be. It’s my job. I…” 

Peter frowned, probably because his face must be contorting at the force he needed to get the next words out. “Mister Stark?” 

“I love you, kid.”