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"You good?"
Happy was looking at Peter through the rear view mirror, concern etching his eyebrows.
Understandably so--Peter was nonstop bouncing his leg and picking nervously at the skin of his fingers. He felt nervous as hell and rightfully so.
"Uh, yeah.. I'm good."
He wasn't.
He has to go to Tony's gala! Tony said it was for 'publicity' so when Peter's announced as the heir for Stark Industries he'll be well known among some investors and business people. Which is a good idea--but he's half sure his mentor is just inviting him because he doesn't want to go by himself.
Happy didn't seem convinced. "You don't have to be fine, kid. Tony wasn't the best at these things either at first, trust me. He was a stumbling mess and a ball of anxiety just like you.. he was just better at hiding it."
Peter just hummed in response, and Happy didn't say anything further.
While that did make him feel slightly better it didn't change the fact he was mere minutes away from his certain death.
It didn't take long for them to get to the tower. "I'll be waiting out here. Tell Tony to hurry up or you're both walking!" Happy shouted after him as he started walking towards the back entrance--Peter gave two thumbs up in response before going inside and heading to the elevator.
As soon as he reached the penthouse Tony was greeting him, shoving a suit into his arms. "Here 'ya go, kid! Hurry up, we're already going to be running a little late, though that is my fashion." The avenger winked and Peter just managed a sigh.
"Happy said to hurry up or we're walking," he informed his mentor, amusement crossing his face.
Tony just made a waving motion with his hand and shook his head, "he's just like that don't worry about it, Pete. Besides, he's probably carried away texting your aunt right now!"
"Tony!" Peter had half a mind to throw the suit at the other's face but didn't--it's so expensive he wouldn't even dare to ruin it. "He is not texting May!" Peter puffed out his cheeks in annoyance.
His mentor just shrugged and gave him a smile, pushing him towards his room down the hall, "they're totally in cahoots, kid. Don't worry you'll understand when you're older."
Peter left for his room, grumbling under his breath but not actually mad.
Happy would be good for Aunt May, she deserves some nice things too!
But he'd also rather not think about his Aunt's love life.. bleh.
He quickly dressed into his suit, heeding Happy's warning--even though Happy would never actually leave him... maybe. Better not to test him on that threat.
Humming the Spider-Man theme under his breath he went to his bathroom and attempted to brush his hair out.
"Are you almost ready?" Tony knocked on the door and peeked his head in--Peter leaned back to look out of the bathroom and waved him in. "Almost!"
His mentor sauntered in and smiled as soon as he saw him. "Lookin' fresh, Pete!" The billionaire ruffled his hair and effectively ruined the hair he'd been trying to tame. Playfully, he batted his mentor's hand away, "Dude!"
"What? You can never get it brushed anyways."
Peter just huffed and ran a brush haphazardly through it one last time before giving up.
It'll just have to do.. he doesn't like the feeling of hair gel. It feels icky. He'll stick to having messy hair over that any day!
"Do I look fine?" Peter asked, looking himself over worriedly in the mirror. Because god forbid he shows up looking like a mess to the Tony Stark's annual gala.
That'd be just his luck.
Tony pulled him away from the mirror and brought him close to his side, fixing Peter's tie. "You look great, kid. Now come on smile for a picture! I promised to get one for May. Be a dear, would you, Fri?" His mentor pulled off his glasses, "make sure to get our good angles!"
Friday sounded amused, "of course, sir. I have taken five pictures, would you like me to forward them to May?"
"Yes please," Tony messed with his own tie in the mirror and patted down his clothes to smooth them out before dragging Peter after him to the elevator.
When they got down to the car Happy looked a little annoyed they were a few minutes late--'it's in fashion' Mr. Stark had claimed. Happy had just shook his head and pulled out, driving to the venue.
"Nervous?" Mr. Stark teased. "Don't be," he pat Peter's leg reassuringly, calming Peter's jittery nerves. "Trust me these things are a breeze! Just smile and hold small talk, no one here actually cares about anything. They're just here for the party and awards. Plus," Tony raised a finger, "I've seen you yell at military officials and lead whole departments, you'll do fine here kid."
"That's different.." He muttered. "I know everyone at SI. Plus, the general just pisses me off, you would've yelled at him too!" He cracked a small smile and Tony shook his head amusedly.
They didn't say anything more, just settled into the silence aside from the new york streets--which Peter was slightly thankful for.
How does Tony do it?
He knows his mentor gets anxious about these sort of things but the billionaire always shrugs it off and takes it in stride. Peter wishes to be like him one day--he's the heir for Stark Industries he should already have this all down to a tee.
Peter pursed his lips and tried not to think too much about it because all it'd do is make his nerves worse.
This is good practice for the future! He just needs to calm down..
Happy pulled into the venue and right in front of the red carpet--paparazzi were lining the sides behind barriers, camera at the ready.
"Okay, just like we practiced, remember?" Tony said as Happy got out of the car to come around and open the door. "Just smile and walk, I'll be right by you."
Happy opened the door and Tony got out first, waiting by the bodyguard. Cameras were already flashing and Peter winced as his heightened senses started going haywire.
Just get inside the building.
He got out of the car looking as professional as possible and walked by Tony down the carpet, smiling at reporters and cameras while all the while ignoring all the shouted questions and mics being pushed towards him and his mentor.
As soon as they were inside Happy shut the doors forcefully behind them and Tony let out a sigh, fixing his tie again. "Jee, that never gets any better." His mentor looked over at him, "good job kid! Say, why don't we go get a drink? I'm feeling parched. Hap, you staying?"
Happy shook his head--the bodyguard hated big events like this. But he stuck around nearby just in case anyways. "No. I won't be far, though. Text or call if you need me."
Tony just nodded and Happy left through the same doors they'd entered, heading back to the car.
Peter was sorta jealous of the man.
Tony suddenly threw an arm around his shoulders, "alright let's go! Award ceremony doesn't start for another thirty minutes or so, so we've got some time to kill. Drinks first, talking later. Oh, don't accept anything from the waiters walking around by the way, it's mostly yucky food or alcoholic beverages."
Peter made a face of disgust and the billionaire just laughed as he led them over to the bar.
Mr. Stark flagged over a waiter--"a coke and one small margarita, please."
"Right away, Mr. Stark."
Peter didn't notice how the bartender's eyes lingered for a little longer on him, he was too busy looking around the gala to notice.
Honestly.. the place is just how he expected it. Very lavish. Definitely Tony's kinda party, which shouldn't have been too surprising.
"Like what you see?"
"It's really nice, Mr. Stark!"
"Oh quit with that Mr. Stark business, we got past that! And thanks, I know! I'm amazing at planning parties. Don't tell Pepper I said that by the way.." The billionaire fiddled with the cuff of his sleeve as a drink was slid his way. He took one sip whil he looked around the room and his eyes narrowed, "well son of a bitch! Elaine is here. Sorry, Peter, I'll be back in a moment, okay? I need to talk to Elaine for Pepper. Don't move, got it?" Tony gave him his best stern look, and Peter just rolled his eyes at the older man.
"Okay, dad."
"Always so sassy! I'll see you in a bit, don't move Pete! You have to see me get my fancy award!" Tony waved the bartender off as he left, dropping a one hundred dollar bill on the bar. Definitely too much to be paying for two small drinks but Peter can't really say anything. Mr. Stark loved to overpay at places no matter where they went--even Mr. Delmar's when Peter had convinced Tony to go with him!
Sighing, Peter sipped on his coke, drawing circles on the bar with his finger.
As much fun as this place looks, it really is boring. Besides, he knows no one here! Tony plans to introduce him to some people but that's after the awards when the place dies down a bit.
He hopes Tony comes back soon. He feels way out of his element here..
And his spidey sense was buzzing in the back of his mind like crazy--but he couldn't see or hear any apparent threat.. it's probably just the fact his senses are haywire due to all the loud noise and people around him.
God, he hates sensory overloads.
He was halfway through drinking his coke when the bartender walked up to him. "Not much of a party goer are you?"
"No," Peter smiled sheepishly.
The bartender shrugged, "neither am I. The gig just pays well."
Peter huffs a laugh and continues sipping on his coke, only to be disappointed at the fact he'd already pretty much drank it all.
The bartender took notice. "Want a refill?"
Tony wouldn't mind, right? He'd given the man a one hundred dollar bill, that surely covers a refill anyways. He pushed his glass towards the bartender with a small smile and a nod of the head--
He missed the glint in the bartender's eyes as he took the drink and began to fill it with precision, turning away from Peter so his back was to him.
The drink was slid back his way.
Peter mindlessly sipped down the soda.
It tasted a little more.. sour? That's weird. Maybe just the carbonation or something being off--it's whatever, he's too nervous to ask for a different drink.
"Where you from?"
"Hm?"
"Just don't look like you're from around here." The bartender smiled.
Peter frowned, "oh.. I'm from Queens." Nothing wrong with saying he's from queens, he told Cap anyways back during the civil war. Besides, it's not like he's giving out his exact address.
"I have a cousin who lives there! Names Simon by the way, what's yours? You were with Mr. Stark, you must be a hotshot." Simon winked at him.
A small voice in the back of Peter's mind was telling him to get out of there but he found he didn't want to move. His thoughts were rattling around in his brain, making no coherent sense.
He feels off. Where's Mr. Stark?.. He looked around the party but couldn't spot the billionare through the crowd of people.
"What's your name?" Simon asked again, leaning closer over the bar. Peter blinked out of his thoughts, looking back at the older.
"Peter.."
"That's a nice name! I used to date someone with that name."
Peter wasn't really sure how to respond to that--something about that whole comment and this situation felt off. "Oh.. that's nice."
He was suddenly very aware he was the only one sitting at the bar now, and probably had been for a while.
A buzz was taking over his mind, barely allowing for thoughts. His hand clamped clumsily around his glass as he drank down the last of his coke through a straw.
Peter felt like he couldn't coordinate his body right, and his head felt droopy.
A hand rested over his arm--"You okay?" Simon was looking at him hungrily and Peter could only blink sluggishly.
"Fine." He choked out, trying to ignore the hand snaking up his arm, closer to his tie.
It only took a few more moments for Peter to slump against the bar--his spidey sense constantly being drowned out by the blank feeling taking over his mind.
"You poor thing," Simon purred, running his hand through Peter's hair. "Are you feeling sick?" The bartender said it with such a sickeningly sweet voice he wanted nothing more than to throw up.
"You look like you need to rest. Want to come with me? I'll keep you safe." Simon's hand snaked up to Peter's neck to loosen his tie and that's when he finally pulled away, albeit sloppily and with little coordination.
"Bathroom." Peter choked out, feeling his nausea build. A sudden desperate urge to escape filled him. "I'm.. bathro--bathroom," he swallowed his spit, avoiding the heavy gaze of Simon.
Stumbling up from his seat he ignored the begging of Simon to stay--drowned out by the group of people walking up to the bar.
Almost immediately he fell into people, all who gave him dirty looks and whispered under their breaths. "So--sorry.." Peter muttered, backing away into another group of people and throwing a terrified look around.
What the hell is happening!?
He hadn't.. taken anything.
The coke, a small voice in his mind supplied, pushing through everything else if for even a moment.
Oh.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
He was suddenly more aware of everyone else's heartbeat around him, then noises becoming too loud.
Wincing he looked around for the person he'd come here with, but Tony was still nowhere to be seen.
Wasn't he supposed to be right back?
Tears built in Peter’s eyes, making it even more difficult to see straight.
He shouldn't have agreed to come to this party.
Nobody stopped him as he slowly walked through the crowd of people--if anything they probably thought he was just someone who couldn't handle their liquor. Common for parties like these.
A hand grabbed his arm and he jerked it away with a yelp, already apologizing--
"You're fine, sweetie." The woman smiled kindly, concern etching her face. "Are you okay? You look a little out of it."
"Fine.."
The lady didn't seem to believe him, her eyebrows stitching together as soon as she heard his slurred voice.
"You're the person Tony brought, aren't you? My name is Elaine. He just left to go get you, I think he went that way, I could take you if you'd like?" Genuine concern laced her tone and Peter would've been thankful in any other situation.
But his senses were high and he was moments from a panic attack in a crowd of people he'd rather not have a panic attack in front of.
"Uh.. n-no thank you.. do you know where the.." he swallowed rising vomit--probably his stomach desperate to get rid of whatever he'd been given. "..Bathroom." He ended weakly, a hand coming to his stomach to try and hold inside his contents.
"Right over there sweetie," Elaine pointed behind Peter and he turned and saw the signs above the door.
Peter let out an audible sigh of relief, thanking the women before walking away.
The bathrooms were in a more secluded area of the party, so thankfully there weren't many people around.
Shutting the door behind him he stumbled into the farthest stall, immediately falling against the toilet and throwing up.
God he hopes no one can hear him, this is already embarrassing enough.
When he was done he leaned back against the wall. Sweat was dripping from his brow and he felt out of it. He doesn't even think he could stand again if he tried.
Thoughts were hard to make, and he was suddenly very aware he'd left his phone out in the car.
No way to contact anyone.
The door to the bathroom opened and someone stepped inside, locking it behind them.
Who locks the door to the bathrooms?..
He hadn't even closed the stall door, oh god, what if one of the investors Tony was telling him about saw him like this?
Still, he didn't have the strength to move.
"Ah, there you are." Simon was standing in the entrance to the stall. "You ran off. That's rude you know."
The bartender came to kneel in front of Peter, "Don't worry, you're not in trouble," he ignored Peter's whimpers, running a hand through the younger’s hair.
"Besides. I know a way you can pay me back!" Simon's hands ran down to his tie and started undoing it, Peter clawed weakly at his hands only to be met with a slap across the face.
Tears sprung into his eyes from the sting.
"Don't try to stop it.. I'll make you feel really good. And when you wake up you won't even remember," Simon purred, stripping Peter's tie off completely and taking the teens suit jacket off.
Peter sobbed, feeling hopeless--
Spider-Man, feeling hopeless, what an ironic statement. He almost hated himself for it.
Simon was halfway through undoing Peter's belt and pants, ignoring Peter's pleas not to, when a knock came at the door, someone trying the handle.
"Pete? You in there kiddo?"
Mr. Stark.
Simon put a hand over his mouth. "Make any sound I dare you. You want to feel good, right? Don't want me to get rough?" The bartender leaned closer, pressing his mouth against Peter's ear.
Peter whimpered, pulling his head away.
"Peter?" Happy's voice.
They're both here.
They'd come looking, of course they had--
And for some reason that sentiment sparked something in Peter, allowing him for a moment enough of consciousness through the fog that was his mind.
'Come on Spider-Man, come on... come on. Come on, Peter, you can do this.'
He ignored Simon's hand trailing down his pants and reeled back his leg with as much power as he could muster, kicking the other in the gut.
It wasn't enough to send the bartender flying against the opposite wall as it might’ve under normal conditions, but it was enough to make him keel over in shock, both hands grabbing at his stomach as he let out a loud string of curses.
"Kid!?" More frantic turning of the handle. "Happy you better bust down this door or so help me--"
"Out of the way!" There was a small commotion outside the door before something rammed into it, causing a loud thud--it was enough to make Peter wince and to allow Simon to pounce on him again with a renewed vigor.
"YOU LITTLE BRAT!" Simon scowled, grabbing Peter by his shirt collar and dragging him back.
He fought back with all his might and clumsily bit at his attackers hands, reveling in the sound of his cry.
He scrambled backwards up against the wall holding the sinks, sitting fearfully between two and looking up at the older.
Simon was crawling on him again with weak cries from Peter when the door finally busted down, Happy rushing inside.
Almost immediately Happy was on top of Simon, pummeling his face in.
Peter wanted it to feel like more of a win.
Tony dropped to his knees next to him, hands fretting over Peter like he was entirely unsure of what to do.
"Oh gods, oh god." Tony's face was white in horror. "You're okay kid, you're okay. Shhh," Tony held Peter's head against his chest as he cried. Peter hugged Tony loosely, no strength left in his body to hug as tightly as he always did. That seemed to make the billionaire more concerned.
"YOU PIECE OF SHIT!" Happy grabbed Simon by the collar, something scarily familiar, and threw him up against the wall. "What the hell are you thinking messing with a kid like that!?" Rage was written all across Happy's face, and Tony's own face mirrored it but he expertly hid it if for only Pete's sake.
"You're in a hell of a lot of trouble. You'll be lucky if a prison cell is the nicest thing to happen to you." The bodyguard knocked out Simon with a punch to the head and let him drop to the ground, now turning to Tony and the teen in his arms.
They took a few moments to take it all in--
The bartender passed out on the ground bloody and bruised.
Peter's suit jacket is missing, a few shirt buttons undone, his tie missing, his pants unzipped, hair messy and wild, and the slap mark on the side of his face.
They were equally pissed, but all they could do now was focus on Peter.
"I'll call someone to come get the bastard." Happy muttered to Tony, helping Peter up with some struggle.
He couldn't even coordinate walking, and he felt bad the two had to help him so much--he hiccuped out a sob.
"We can't let everyone see him like this, Hap.." Tony voiced, sounding worried.
"I'm.. I'm--so..sorry." Peter stumbled out, new tears fresh in his eyes. "I ruined... your e-event!"
Tony and Happy shared a pinched look.
"You did nothing wrong, Pete." Tony soothed as Happy left to go pull a car around back and create a distraction so him and Tony could leave unnoticed.
Peter's words slurred together, almost nonsensical, "but... your award.."
"You matter way more than a silly award, Peter. Trust me. Now come on, let's get you out of here." Tony helped Peter out of the bathroom--not without throwing a last dirty glance back at the bartender and wishing he'd himself gotten a few punches in. For Peter's sake he wouldn't, but that guy will definitely be seeing him in court.
It took a while to get out to the awaiting car, but with a distraction toast to Stark Industries from Elaine they had made it out unnoticed.
Tony helped Peter get situated in the back of the car, pulling off his own blazer and pulling it around Peter, fixing up his shirt and pants in the process.
Feeling safe in the presence of the bodyguard and his pseudo mentor-dad figure his mind finally let go, the bubbly side of the drug coming out in full force.
He suddenly started laughing, leaning forward and letting his face hit against the back of the driver's seat. Tony looked on worriedly and Happy looked back in the mirror.
"Kid?" Tony tried hesitantly, "you okay? I mean, that guy just tried to.." his mentor swallowed his words, like he couldn't say what would've happened had they not been there.
"It's.. It's just.. of--of course it happens to m-me! Y'know?" Peter sounded borderline hysteric and the billionaire pulled him back in his seat, properly buckling him in as Happy began to drive off from the venue.
Tony tried his best to steady him, scooting into the middle seat and resting an arm around the teen's shoulders. "Pete. Kid. Are you okay? Seriously, be real with me."
Peter looked lazily in the billionaire's eyes and shrugged, more laughs bubbling in his throat. He doesn't know why he feels so happy at the moment but he does, and the memories of mere minutes before are being pushed to the back of his mind desperately. He'd been sobbing moments before and yet didn't even care.
"Cap.. Captain.. Like, Iced Am-Americanio... get it? Cause Cap.. Capsicle!" His head fell against Tony in a fit of laughter, not even noticing the persistent loud and hurried heart beat of the man, nor the person driving the car.
He didn't notice the concern in Tony's eyes when the billionaire grabbed him by his chin and made him look at him.
"Shit, Hap. He's definitely hopped up on something."
Happy frowns, not looking all that happy, and it only serves to make Peter laugh more--"obviously. Med bay?"
"Yeah. He looks deathly pale. Who knows what that bastard gave him. Peter," Tony tapped his shoulder, grabbing his attention again, "did he do anything to you? Do you know what he gave you?"
Peter's brows scrunched together in confusion. "Wh--Who...?" He tilted his head at his mentor.
"The bartende--nevermind, kid.. we'll talk about it later, just don't worry, okay? We're here for you." Tony ran a hand through Peter's hair, obviously meant as a comforting gesture, but memories flashed through his mind in horrible remembrance and he flinched back, hitting his head against the passenger window while his face paled impossibly more.
Bile rose in his throat.
"I... stop--stop the car."
Happy swerved over to the side of the road immediately and Peter grasped at the car door handle, pushing open the door and falling onto the cold and wet street.
He was throwing up before he knew it, Tony by his side rubbing a reassuring hand over his back.
"You're okay, kiddo. Let it out, get it out of your system.." Tony didn't like the smell or look of vomit, and Peter felt sorry he was forcing the billionaire to be by his side for this.
If only he hadn't been so stupid and gotten himself drugged.
The memories came back like a flood and the previous happy feeling was gone, leaving him feeling empty and light headed.
Peter shivered at the feeling of Tony's hands on him as he helped him back into the car.
"Pete?" Tony tried, hugging the teen closer to him.
"Hm.." Peter stared listlessly ahead, feeling like he was in a daze.
Slowly everything around him tuned out and he didn't 'wake' back up until they were at the tower, both Tony and Happy pulling him from the car and helping him walk into the building and to the elevator.
Some security and interns threw them questioning looks but with a shake of the head from Tony they hesitantly didn't interfere.
"Alright, up you go," Tony lifted him into one of the med bay beds and helped Peter lie down, pulling the thin blanket around him in a hope of comfort. "Helen will be here soon, okay? Is that alright?" Tony rested a hand over his and Peter's eyes trailed over to him, simply nodding his head.
The billionaire glanced back at Happy who seemed hopeless, already dialing the number for Helen. "I'll be right back boss, I'll let her know it's an emergency. Want me to call his aunt?"
"No," Tony shook his head, "I'll do it in the morning when she's awake so you can go pick her up, she has the late shift tonight.. I don't want to throw her off her game or have her driving in a frenzy."
Happy nodded, giving one last concerned look at Peter in the hospital bed before stepping out to make the call.
"Tony?"
His mentor turned to him, relieved to hear him speak.
"Stay?" It was such a simple request but Peter's voice was tiny and hesitant, hand curling around Tony's in a search for comfort.
Tony smiled. "Yeah, Pete. I'll stay. Don't worry, kiddo." The billionaire pushed the teen's sweaty hair back, taking notice of the small wince and pulling back quickly with a frown.
Peter, once again, didn't notice the reaction--he just let himself lull off to sleep.
-
When he woke up it wasn't pleasant.
A killer headache was already present and Peter wanted nothing more than to go right back to sleep.
But the need for water overrode that wish and he groaned, cracking open his eyes and looking around.
The first thing Peter took notice of was the fact he was currently in the med bay, lying in one of the hospital beds.
Second, he was hooked up to multiple IV'S.
Third, Tony Stark was sitting at his bedside. Awake and looking relieved Peter was awake himself.
"Hey kiddo. How are you feeling?"
"Thirs--Thirsty.." Peter's voice cracked, and Tony didn't bother pointing it out, simply grabbing the glass of water on the stand and helping him drink it. He drank it all, savoring in the relief it offered his parched throat and dry mouth.
What had happened?..
Oh.
Oh.
Memories came flooding back as the floodgates had opened, and Peter's eyes widened comically, staring into the distance past Tony.
"Peter? You okay, kid? I mean, obviously you aren't, but.. want to talk about it?" Tony leaned closer, holding Peter's hand in his own tighter, offering reassurance.
Like a dad would.
"Dad," Peter choked out, not bothering to think about what he'd said as tears sprang into his eyes. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry!" He fell into Tony's embrace, ignoring the way the billionaire stiffened for only a split second before hugging Peter as securely as he could.
"I didn't mean to, I swear! It's just... just.. he spiked my drink, and I could barely move--I didn't know where you were and I left my phone, and I just couldn't think!" Peter sobbed, cries racking his body, "and I ruined your e--event! I-I'm sorry!"
"No, no, no, no," Tony started, pulling back and grabbing Peter by the shoulders, looking him in the eyes.
"None of this is your fault, kid. You hear me? That guy was a bastard and deserves everything he has coming for him." Tony brushed the pad of his thumb over Peter's face, wiping away the tears carefully.
"You're my kid, got it? You come first, especially over some stupid event. If anything happened to you.." Tony swallowed, "he didn't.. did he?"
"No," Peter shook his head, y-you and Happy got there b-before he... he.. but.." He shuddered, not able to say it.
Part of him felt like it was still back in the party, barely able to think, his senses high as he stumbled everywhere like an idiot. Like he was still in that bathroom.
A hand clenching his shoulder brought him back to reality, a feeling of being safe and secure deep in his gut.
"You're not there, okay? Never will be again. I promise. I'll never let something like that happen to you again. I swear to you, Peter. You're my kid and I'll do anything to protect you, you're the whole world to me. Nothing that happened last night is your fault, you're the sweetest boy on this planet and you deserved none of it, no one deserves that. You hear me?" Tony's voice cracked as his arms wrapped around Peter again in a warm embrace--
Different from Simon, so utterly different a piece of his heart broke, because he was away and safe and had missed that feeling despite only losing it for a night.
"But.. it wasn't even.. it--he didn't.." Peter choked on his own words. "He didnt.. r-rape me.. wasn't assualted." The sentence felt weird and heavy on his tongue. "I'm okay." A lie, they both knew it.
If Peter was okay there wouldn't be tear tracks on his face and he wouldn't feel seconds away from another breakdown.
If he was okay his thoughts wouldn't keep lingering on.. that.
And it wasn't assault, if it had been.. if it had been... he's Spider-Man, heroes don't.. don't get--
It was.
"It was." Tony voiced, breaking Peter a little more.
"It was." Tony reiterated. "He may not have raped you, but everything he did to you was assault. You didn't consent to be drugged, you didn't consent to be stalked to a bathroom, you didn't consent to the nasty comments or the sexual acts and thoughts of another person."
Peter let out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding, like he'd been waiting for someone to tell him he was wrong--
"You're a victim, Pete. And we'll work through it. I'll.. I'll get you the best therapist you could ever imagine having, yeah? And I'm always here to talk if you want.. part of the whole being a dad gig, isn't it? Is that okay with you? Everyone else is here for you too, because we all care for you, and you'll never be alone, you hear me?" Tony gently grabbed Peter's chin and looked meaningfully into his eyes.
"Yeah.. yeah, I h-hear you. And that's okay." Peter was thankful.
Maybe Simon hadn't done anything like that, but at the end of the day it was still assault, and at the end of the day Peter still felt disgusting and weird--like he wasn't really in his body.
He may not feel okay now, and it may take a while to get past all of it.. to navigate his way through.. or maybe he never truly will be able to let it go.
But for now, here in Tony's arms, a support system surrounding him, and that's all he could wish for.
Hugging Tony with as much strength as he could, he whispered into the olders shoulder--
"I love you, dad." He smiled through his tears.
Tony--no.. his dad, smiled, resting his head on top of Peter's and rubbing comforting circles into his back.
"Love you too, kiddo."
Peter will make it past this, he will--
He knows because he's Spider-Man, and Spider-Man's never backed down from a fight.
He knows because he's Peter Parker and has overcome so many other hurdles in life, done so many impossible things.
And he knows because he has the best friends ever, and the most loving family on earth.
And.. and he has the most amazing dad he could ever ask for.
Peter basked in the moment as he was held in his dad's arms, wishing the moment would never be over.
It might take a while, but..
He'll recover.