Chapter Text
The second Cho gave him the go-ahead, Tony rushed to Peter’s side. He had a concussion, three broken ribs, 63 contusions, minor damage to his windpipe, and even evidence of prior internal bleeding in his abdomen. If he hadn’t been super-human, he’d be dead. When Tony first sat down beside him, he was still sedated, but after about an hour, he started to come around. Peter’s eyes widened when he saw Tony, his heart rate immediately spiking.
“Hey, hey, hey, Peter, take it easy. You’re okay.” He rested his hand on Peter’s shoulder. He relaxed slightly under his touch. “You’ve gotta be careful, okay? Your healing factor isn’t working as well as it usually does.”
Peter nodded, trying to read Tony’s expression. “I-It slowed down recently the more he- I mean the more I got hurt on patrol.”
“Peter, I know that’s not true,” Tony said gently.
Peter’s eyes welled up. “I’m so sorry,” he cried. “I’m so so sorry.” He launched himself into Tony’s arms as he erupted into tears. “I-I should’ve been stronger. I could’ve stopped it. I failed a-and made all of yo-you worry. I’m- I’m- I’m…”
“Take a deep breath, Peter, I’ve got you. Come on, breathe with me.” Tony took several exaggerated breaths, patiently waiting for Peter’s gasps to even out. When they did, he pulled back slightly to look Peter in the eyes. Peter cowered at first, but Tony waited until he knew Peter would hear him. “Peter, this wasn’t your fault. I need you to know that. To understand that this was not, in any way, your fault.”
“But-”
“No. I need to hear you say it. This was not my fault.”
“I’m scared. He’s going to hurt me again.”
“I promise you that everyone in this building will make sure that doesn’t happen. Now say it, Peter,” Tony’s voice cracked, and a few tears of his own fell. “This was not my fault.”
Peter hesitated, he’d never seen that look in Tony’s eyes before. He looked broken, but like he wanted to fight his way out. And in that moment, for the first time in months, Peter felt understood. “This was not my fault.” Tony let out a shuddering breath and pulled Peter back to his chest.
“You’re safe now, kid. I’ve got you.” God, he wished someone had said that to him all those years ago. But this helped. Helping Peter healed something in him. His deep-down yearning for nurture was being fed by his love for Peter. They cried together, for what felt like hours before either of them spoke again.
“I just feel so weak. I mean I fight alongside Earth’s mightiest heroes and I couldn’t get myself out of this.” Peter let out a frustrated huff.
“This doesn’t make you weak, Peter. You survived something traumatic and that makes you strong. I’m proud of you for telling me, for being vulnerable, and for letting me help you. I know, hell I know more than you can imagine, how difficult that is.” Peter frowned, now understanding the look he’d seen in Tony’s eyes. “It won’t be awful forever. But healing takes time. And support, if you’ll let us help you.”
Peter nodded. “He won’t hurt me again?”
“Never. And that’s a promise.”