Work Text:
It was Friday. Also known as Avengers movie night. Also known as chaos.
Thankfully this was one of the less chaotic ones. Peter wasn’t really sure how it got there but at one point Tony mentioned he had a beach house in Malibu and that since there weren’t any missions or anything coming up, they could go there and just relax.
Most of the Avengers immediately agreed that that was a good idea.
All except Steve.
“You mentioned it being a beach house. Does that mean it’s near the sea?”
Tony rolled his eyes. “Yes Capsicle. That’s what beach house means. Also it’s not near the sea. It’s on the actual beach so pretty much right next to the sea.”
“…Ah.”
“Why what’s wrong Spangles? Don’t like the beach?”
“It’s more the water I don’t like.” Steve admitted.
“Scared of a few waves Cap?”
“Yeah. I have thalassophobia. Fear of the ocean. Or other large and deep bodies of water such as lakes.”
“Ah. If you don’t mind me asking, why?” Tony questioned.
“Well if you sent a plane straight into a freezing ocean, got frozen for a long time and almost anytime you see the ocean you get really bad flashbacks and you sometimes get panic attacks from them, I think you’d be pretty afraid of the ocean as well.” Steve responded dryly.
“…oh.”
They were silent for a while after that.
Suddenly Thor spoke up, “I am afraid of being alone.” He stated simply.
The others blinked. They had not expected Thor to be afraid of something as simple as being alone.
“I cannot stand being alone. On some days I am unable to even be alone for more than a day before I need to find someone, anyone, to talk to. Else I feel like I cannot breathe.”
More silence.
“I’m afraid of dogs.” Nobody except Clint and Tony noticed Natasha’s fists clench as she spoke. She didn’t explain further and nobody asked.
“I’m afraid of needles. Every time I need an injection, I vomit.” Clint told them.
“I can’t stand large crowds. Every time I’m in or around one, I get a panic attack. That’s why I avoid the charity galas and parties. I’m just so terrified.” That explained a lot. They had all just assumed Bruce was afraid of Hulk coming out and that was why he didn’t attend the events.
Peter looked at Tony. They had all shared a fear they had. But Peter honestly expected Tony to just say nothing. Because he’s Iron Man. Iron Man has been through everything and didn’t even bat an eye at it. Iron Man didn’t get scared.
And that was why Peter couldn’t tell him. That was why Peter couldn’t tell Tony he was scared of something so small. Because if Tony knew about it he’d probably laugh that Peter was so pathetic as to be scared of something so meaningless-
“I’m afraid of the dark.” Tony shrugged.
Peter froze. Iron Man was afraid of …the dark? If Tony was afraid of the dark but still so strong… then maybe that meant Peter could be strong as well.
“I’m claustrophobic.” There. He said it. He watched for their reactions. They didn’t seem shocked or anything.
“How bad?”
“I can’t stand being in small or cramped spaces. If I’m in there for more than five minutes I get a panic attack. They get so bad I can’t breathe and I can’t focus on anything other than the fact that I’m trapped and I can’t get out.”
Steve gave a noncommittal hum. “Makes sense. I don’t really like small spaces either. Reminds me of the war.”
Peter blinked. They were all so casual about it. If the literal Avengers could be so casual about their fears and still be so strong.
Maybe so could he.