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Peter woke up to a stuffy nose and a headache. He groaned and rolled over. There was a knock at his door. “I’m awake.”
“I’m leaving for work. Don’t fall back to sleep.” May called out, “Larb you.”
Peter forced himself out of bed. He had a test to take. He needed to push through. He also didn’t want May missing work for him. He could handle this. It was Friday. He just needed to get to the end of the day and then he could go home to sleep.
No, I can’t. It’s Avengers movie night. Peter sighed. It was going to be fine. He would be fine. He just needed to take this day one step at a time. Clothes, food, school, movie night, bed.
~
Why couldn’t he have gotten sick on any other Friday? A day when he wouldn’t have to pretend to everyone at school and the tower that he was fine. School, he could probably pull off, but there were legit spies at the tower. They were going to sniff him out right away. If they found out he was sick, they would tell Tony, and he didn’t know what Tony would do. They weren’t even at a place where they hugged. He was pretty sure Tony would be livid for bringing germs to his home. I can’t cancel, though. They moved the movie night so I could be there.
By the time Peter walked out of school, he felt like he was dead. He just wanted his bed and pajamas. He wouldn’t complain if tea were offered, either. No time for any of that. He saw Happy waiting for him. He jogged over to the car and got in. He leaned his head back against the seat and closed his eyes.
“Couldn’t have hurried a bit today?” Happy asked, “I thought you were excited for movie night. It’s all you talked about last week.”
“Sorry,” Peter mumbled.
Happy frowned, “You okay, kid?”
“Longest day ever.” Peter sighed.
“We have about an hour drive. Close your eyes. I’ll wake you when we get to the tower.”
“Thanks.” Peter was already half asleep.
~
Peter dragged himself to the penthouse from the garage when they got there. The team was already chatting, and the movie was waiting for someone to hit play. He waved hi and made his way to the couch, taking a seat, curling his legs under him, and lying against the arm of the couch.
“Pete?” Tony came over, “You good?”
“Long day.” He gave the same excuse, “I’m exhausted.”
Tony nodded, “Okay. You want food? We have pizza, wings, pasta, and dessert.”
“I’ll get something in a minute. Promise.” I hope he forgets about this because I don’t think my stomach wants food right now.
It wasn’t long before the team all found spots and someone pressed play on the movie. Peter couldn’t tell you anything about the new action movie he had been excited to see. It was taking everything inside of him to avoid throwing up in front of all of the Avengers.
“Peter? You don’t look so good. Are you alright?” Rhodey paused the movie.
“You are quite sweaty. What’s up with that?” Sam asked.
Nat hit him on the arm, “Ignore that idiot.”
Peter felt his breathing speed up, and he raced out of the room to the bathroom, slamming the door and finally letting his body release everything that had been trying to exit his stomach for what felt like hours.
There was a knock on the door, “Peter?”
Great, Tony was probably mad. He was going to tell him to leave and never come back. Stupid. How had he ruined this? He only had to make it through the movie, and he couldn’t even do that. Dumb. Dumb. Dumb.
“I’m okay.” He called out shakily.
“I really don’t think you are, Roo. Come out and talk to me.” Tony was hoping his tone was reassuring and not condescending. No one taught him how to mentor a teenager after all.
Peter finally opened the door, and he was as pale as a ghost. “I think I need to go home. Can you call Happy to take me home early?”
Tony nodded, “I can do that, but do you feel up to an hour drive in a car? You can just crash in the guest room here.”
“No, I’d rather just leave now. It’ll be easier than you kicking me out tomorrow.” Peter’s voice trembled.
“What do you mean by kicking you out tomorrow?” Tony frowned. He didn’t remember mentioning an early meeting or anything. Wait, was he forgetting a meeting? Pepper was going to kill him. No, no. She won’t. She’ll understand. The kid is sick.
“Because I’m sick,” Peter said as if they made perfect sense.
“Why wouldn’t you just stay in bed for a bit before going home tomorrow? Do you have plans you’re trying to keep even though you’re clearly miserable?” Tony was sure they were crossing wires somewhere. He wished Pepper were here. She would have known what to do right away.
“I’m confused.” Peter frowned, “I don’t have plans tomorrow. I just want pajamas and a bed. I feel like I’m dead on my feet.”
“So you don’t like the penthouse then?” Tony was still trying to clarify everything.
“Huh?” Peter shook his head, “I love the penthouse. That’s why I’m sad.”
“I’ve never felt more dumb than I do right now. Kid, why would I kick you out unless you want to leave?”
“I’m sick.” Peter offered an explanation.
“Everyone gets sick.” Tony leaned against the wall, keeping an eye on the kid who seemed wobbly on his feet, “I wish you had told me right away, but I’m not going to kick you out over it.”
“So I don’t have to leave and never come back?” Peter felt his body flood with relief.
“No. Who do you think I am? I must seem like a terrible person to you.” Tony was trying to figure out where he had given the kid the idea that if he got sick, he wouldn’t mentor him any longer.
“You aren’t a terrible person!” Peter protested, “But you said we weren’t even in a place to hug each other, ya know? I just figured this would push you over the edge.”
“Oh, kid.” Tony sighed and pushed himself off the wall and gave a gentle tug on the kid and pulled him into a hug, “We’re there. I promise.”
Peter melted against him, “Oh.”
“Now I think you mentioned pajamas and a bed?” Tony raised an eyebrow, “I can text May and let her know what’s going on and that you’re staying.”
Peter nodded, “I’m sorry I ruined movie night.”
“We planned this because the team wanted to get to know you. They want to know the kid I talk about so highly. They are only worried about you, not the movie.”
“Will you tell them we can try again when I feel better?” Peter let Tony lead him down the hallway to the guest room.
“Of course. Bed. Now.” Tony pointed, “Pepper ordered you some clothes just in case. Nothing major, but I bet she has a pair of sweats and a hoodie at least.”
“She did that for me?”
“Yeah. We think sort of highly of you.”
Peter reached over and hugged Tony again, “Thank you.
Tony hugged him back. He couldn’t believe he had once told the kid that he wouldn’t give him a hug. He would give Peter a hug every day if it brought him comfort. I love this kid.