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Peter waited nervously in the halls of the hospital. He was sitting in a rather uncomfortable chair, his knees bouncing so fiercely the floor around him practically shook. All he could think about was Tony.
The man who had taught him everything he knew.
The man who saved him.
The man who saved the universe, was in some room down the daunting hallway, going through who knows what kind of medical procedures to keep him stable.
Peter felt his heart beating firmly against his chest. He was worried about Tony’s safety, but he was also worried about what would follow. Peter had, against Tony’s will, followed him onto a flying doughnut to fight an insane purple monster who ended up killing half of the entire population. Peter died on that desolate planet, and Tony had to watch.
Watch him cry.
Watch him beg for his life.
Watch him disintegrate in his arms.
And then, Tony had lived five years without him. Five years without the pesky teen who’d forced his way into danger without even seeming to consider how it might affect others. What if Tony didn’t see him the same? What if his mentor would decide he preferred his life without him? Peter didn’t think he could handle that reality. He brought his shaky hands together, digging his nails into his palms to distract his racing mind with the pain.
Part of him wanted to leave, surely Tony would prefer to see someone else when he awoke. However, Pepper had practically prohibited it, she had said there was no one else Tony would rather see first.
Peter highly doubted that, but Pepper was only able to argue with him for so long because she had some important press meeting to attend about Tony’s state. So, Peter waited, anxious to see Tony awake, but fearful of what the man would have to say.
The doctor eventually came out and offered to walk Peter down the hall. Peter wrung his hands around his wrists nervously, but reluctantly followed. The doctor explained that Tony was awake, able to speak, a bit out of it as he was on pain meds, and was strictly on bed rest, no getting up. Peter nodded along, taking in the needed information, and attempting not to block out everything else. Once they finally reached the room’s entrance, Peter wrapped his shaky, sweaty hand around the doorknob, and twisted it to enter.
When he first peeked in, he attempted to process Tony’s state. He had bandages wrapped around his heavily burnt arm as well as around his forehead and chest. His eyes were open, but they were incredibly droopy, exhausted from the fight, recovery, and meds. Peter hesitated, wondering if Tony would want company at all, but he stepped into the room. After all, he could leave if asked.
His shoe made a clack sound when it pressed against the floor, making Tony slightly tilt his head in Peter’s direction. Tony’s eyes opened slightly more as he traced the teen up and down, Peter froze, petrified of what would come next. His chest tightened as Tony’s eyes widened and a single tear fell down the man’s cheek.
“Peter?” Tony asked in barely a whisper. He reached out a hand to beckon the kid closer; Peter complied and stood by Tony’s bedside. Tony brought his shaky hand to Peter’s cheek, brushing the back of his knuckles against the soft warmth. Peter closed his eyes at the touch, both content with the affection, but also scared of how long the peacefulness would last. “You’re here.” Tony whispered.
“Yeah.” Peter squeaked out, his throat tightening as Tony continued to stare.
“Wow, you look just like I remember.” Tony mumbled, smiling as he delicately cupped the kid’s cheek.
“I-Is that a good thing?” Peter awkwardly joked with a slightly forced smile, he leaned gently into his mentor’s hand. Tony continued to stare at him with awe, as if he were a work of art.
“It’s a beautiful thing.” Tony mumbled. Peter froze, unsure of what to say as he saw the sadness well up in the man’s eyes. Suddenly, Tony brought his hand down reached to pull down the barrier of his hospital bed, preparing to stand. Peter’s eyes widened and he quickly held the bars in place. Tony looked up at him in sad disbelief.
“Wha…?” Tony questioned, unable to verbally communicate his complete thought.
“You can’t get up, Mr. Stark. The doctor said you’re on strict bed rest.” Peter explained worriedly.
Tony smirked and laughed. “Since when…do I listen?” He slurred.
“Since you’re healing from almost dying.” Peter argued with a straight face.
Tony’s expression softened. “Please Pete, let me.” He said with a pained voice, practically begging. Peter weakly smiled awkwardly, not really sure how to handle this.
“Mr. Stark, you can’t. I’m sorry.”
“I won’t tell if you don’t.” Tony continued.
“It’s not about that!” Peter pleaded.
“Come on, kid! I can handle it!” Tony insisted, a slight hint of frustration appeared in his voice.
“No, you can’t!” Peter was getting very tired of this back and forth.
Tony’s face softened; Peter watched as more tears formed in his mentor’s eyes. “Please baby, just let me get up. I need to.”
“Why do you even want to? Do you need something? Because I can go and get—” Peter began to step away from the bed.
“NO!” Tony yelled, reaching out and firmly gripping Peter’s wrist. The teen flinched hard, his breath hitched, and fear was visible in his eyes. Tony, who noticed this, loosened his grip, and moved to hold Peter’s hand instead of his wrist. Tony used his thumb to gently caress the back of Peter’s hand. “No, don’t leave, Peter.” Tony rephrased calmly and brought Peter’s hand up to his lips to kiss it.
Peter’s tension eased, and he walked back toward Tony. “Well…why do you need to get up?” Peter asked softly, his voice slightly shaking.
Tony swallowed painfully. He parted his lips, at first, sound didn’t come out; he felt embarrassed telling Peter his reason. However, looking into the teen’s sweet puppy dog eyes made the concept of embarrassment become forgotten in his mind. “I want to hold you.” Tony stated confidently.
Peter’s entire face went blank for a moment, processing the words. “You…want to h-hold me?” Peter repeated, trying to be sure he understood.
“Please?” Tony answered with a pained smile. Peter’s expression shifted into slight surprise.
“Tony…you can’t…you’re not allowed to get up. I-It’s not my rule, it’s the hospital’s.” Peter tried to explain sympathetically. Tony took in a shaky breath; he knew he wasn’t going to be able to win this argument. Still caressing Peter’s hand, Tony glanced around the room as he tried to think.
Then, his eyebrows raised as he thought of a compromise. He scooted over to a side of the bed and patted the place next to him. Peter scrunched his face in slight confusion. “Lay with me?” Tony clarified.
Peter softly laughed. “Tony, I’m kind of worried I’ll hurt you.” he confessed; Tony looked so fragile with his battle wounds.
“You could never hurt me.” Tony insisted with a smile. Peter still stood firm in his place, looking unsure. Tony’s smile fell into a desperate frown. “Please, Bambino.” He begged. Peter’s throat tightened slightly, but he toed off his shoes, and nervously crawled in next to Tony.
Peter tried to leave a safe amount of space between them, but as soon as his body sunk into the mattress, Tony wrapped his good arm around Peter’s middle and pulled him close to his chest. Peter’s body trembled slightly with uncertainty, but Tony securely wrapped his arms around him and buried his face in the teen’s curls. “I love you, Peter. I love you so much. I’m sorry I never said it, but you’re my kid, Peter. I love you.” Tony continued to mumble such things, as well as press kisses onto the kid’s head.
Peter’s lip trembled at the words, the warmth, the comfort. Peter felt Tony’s tears run through his hair and he wrapped his arms around his mentor, being careful of all of his injuries. He nuzzled close, pressing his forehead into Tony’s collarbone. “I love you too.” He whispered.
Peter’s body trembled and tears began to fall endlessly down his cheeks as his body released all of the fear it had previously held. All of the thoughts that Tony didn’t love him, all of the worries that Tony wouldn’t care about his return were squashed as the man held him close, delicately, and protectively. Both of them were severely drained, emotionally, and physically, and they both found such peace and comfort in the other’s presence. So, they slipped into a gentle sleep.
***************
Tony awoke, keeping his eyes clenched shut. He had had a dream, a wonderfully, amazing dream, and he couldn’t bare the idea of reality ripping it from him. He still felt like Peter was with him, but Tony knew he wasn’t. As much as Tony desired to lay with the phantom pressure and warmth of his kid whom he missed so dearly, this wasn’t the first time Tony had had a dream like this. He knew from experience that the longer he laid in the false comfort, the harder it was handle everything else when he awoke.
Preparing for the darker world, Tony took in a deep breath, which typically didn’t make that much of a difference. However, his senses were suddenly flooded with the comforting, familiar scent of Peter’s vanilla shampoo. Tony’s throat tightened in disbelief. Tony slowly opened his eyes and took in the word around him. He was laying in a hospital bed, his body ached from several different injuries that he wasn’t sure how to name, but none of that mattered. He barely noticed them. All he saw was the adorable boy, curled up, and sleeping in his arms.
Tony lightly pulled back and eased his hand under Peter’s cheek. He shifted the kid’s head so he could get a good look of his face. Peter’s eyes were gently closed with sleep, his unruly curls sprawled in every direction, and his head lay limply, all of its weight in the palm of Tony’s hand. Tony brought over his singed hand, not caring how it pained, and carefully brushed a curl off of Peter’s forehead. Tony leaned down and pressed a kiss onto Peter’s cheek. Peter softly smiled, and squeakily sighed in his sleep.
Tony gently caressed his thumb over the kid’s cheek. Peter looked so peaceful, but Tony desperately needed Peter to wake up. He needed to hear his voice, see his eyes, talk to him. “Hey, kiddo?” Tony tried softly. Peter didn’t respond. “Peter?” Tony tried again, slightly louder. He watched with joy as Peter’s eyes sluggishly opened.
“Mhm?” Peter hummed, not fully aware. Tony watched as the teen’s warm brown eyes started to focus and lock with his own. Peter’s expression changed to a tiredly joyful grin; his eyebrows raised with delight. “Tony!” He whispered excitedly.
Tony swallowed painfully; he felt his lips quiver. “Peter.” Tony shakingly cupped the kid’s face in his hands. He pulled a shaky breath through his aching chest. “I thought it was a dream.” He confessed. Peter smiled, lightly shaking his head no, but not pulling out of Tony’s hands.
“I’m real, Tony.” Peter whispered.
“You’re real.” Tony repeated. He pressed a few kisses against the teen’s forehead. Peter giggled lightly as Tony’s facial hair tickled his face. Tony pulled back and saw the content, loving smile he’d missed so much. ‘My Peter is alive’ Tony thought to himself as he got lost in the teen’s calming eyes. Tony abruptly wrapped his arms around Peter once again and pulled the kid into his chest.
“Oof.” Peter wheezed at the sudden pull.
“You owe me five years of cuddles.” Tony mumbled as he nuzzled his face into the comfort of Peter’s curls.
“Okay.” Peter giggled, more than happy to oblige, leaning again into his hero.