Steve read his book on the couch, enjoying the quiet afternoon before he went to volunteer at the kids' hospital.

His quiet evening, however, was invaded by two raised voices. Tony and Peter came into the living room, Tony practically dragging the teenager by his wrist.

"No! You are getting checked out!" Steve's head snapped up from his book at Tony's tone. It was wavering and stretched thin. He sounded scared.

Peter was wearing his Spidey suit, mask gripped in one hand but there were marks on his face. His cheek was grazed and his lip swollen and split and there was a small cut over his eye that had already clotted. He must have taken some hard hits but he didn't appear to be too badly injured.

The teenager resisted Tony's tugs on his wrist, voice pleading. "I told you, I'm fine! I can take more hits than other people. It's not a big deal."

"You were hit and you didn't get back up, Peter!" Tony's face was turning red as he yelled, Peter's eyebrows creased in frustration as he tried to reason with him.

"I did get up!"

"After a full two minutes of laying there unconscious? No way does that get you out of it. If it weren't for Karen I wouldn't have known if you were even breathing!"

Steve put his book down, trying to decide whether to get involved or not. He didn't have to imagine how awful it would be to see the teenager knocked down like that, having seen it himself a few times and he remembered it vividly. Peter may have been strong but he was still a kid and to see him hit so hard that he didn't get back up was not something one ever got used to. He completely understood Tony's concern. Peter should get checked out.

Tony was still trying to pull Peter in the direction of the med bay but the kid was stronger than him, heels digging into the carpet and they didn't move an inch.

"Well, I am. And I don't want to bother Bruce, he's been really busy lately and this is nothing."

Tony seemed to be getting out of breath from all the yelling or all the stress and he began to sound desperate. "Did you forget about the part where you were hit repeatedly by a guy WITH METAL HANDS?! He went for your kidneys, Peter we don't mess around with that!"

"I'm fi-"

Tony's hands clenched into fists, the one holding Peters wrist tightening as the man yelled. "DONT SAY YOU'RE FINE! DO AS YOU'RE TOLD!"

Peters' eyes widened in shock at the strength in Tony's words, and he flinched a little at the noise. Steve decided that was enough. He jumped up from the couch and made his way over, placing a hand on both heroes chests. "Hey, how about we calm down for a second?"

Tony pulled his gaze from Peter to look at Steve and suddenly Cap could see the terror in the other man's eyes. His hands shook as he pointed to the kid, letting go of his wrist as his breaths came faster with each word.

"He- he was- he went down and he wasn't moving. And the guy, he had powers. His skin turned to metal and he hit Peter over and over- his kidneys could be bruised or- I can't- he wasn't moving." Steve recognised the signs of an oncoming panic attack and was about to speak when Peter seemed to realise the same thing.

The teenager quickly took hold of Tony's arms and pulled him to look at him, wobbly smile on his face.

"Okay, we can go see Bruce! We'll go right now and I'll do whatever he tells me and he'll tell you I'm okay. I'll pee in a cup or let him take scans and blood tests because I'm not hurt."

Tony shook his head, breaths coming as ragged gasps. "No, Karen said you were but her senses were damaged- so she couldn't tell where. You were- you could be-"

Peter's smile slipped into more of a grimace, guilt tearing his eyes from Tony to dip to the floor. "I- I have a headache and double vision but I remember today's date and every president we've ever had so it's probably a minor concussion. My right ankle really hurts and it's swollen a little so I'm pretty sure it's sprained and I think one of my ribs is broken cause I can feel the bones grinding which is making me nauseous-" His eyes found Tony's again, forehead creased and voice adamant.

"-but my kidneys are fine because they don't hurt and I'm not throwing up or feverish or drowsy. So yeah, I'm a little banged up but I'm okay. I promise."

Steve didn't need to wonder why Peter knew the symptoms of bruised or injured kidneys; with the small organs being easy targets during a fight he himself had memorized the symptoms from when he had been hurt.

Tony's breaths came easier but hadn't lost the tremble that ran through each word. "You promise? Don't lie to me or I'll-"

Peter nodded. "I promise."

Tony stared at the kid for a moment, searching his eyes for any sign he was lying. When he found none he let out a breath and surged forward, wrapping his arms around Peter and hugging him tightly, face dipping down as he closed his eyes. His voice hadn't steadied, cracking over the last words. "Don't scare me like that."

Peter hugged him back, feeling awful for making his mentor worry so badly "Sorry. I'll be more careful next time."

Steve sighed, one corner of his mouth tugging up as he watched Peter's hands grip the back of Tony's shirt. A warm feeling bubbled up in his chest as he watched one of Tony's hands shift up to brush the hair at the back of Peters' head. It was a long hug but it seemed as though they could both use it.

He didn't realise that Tony had opened his eyes until a grumbly voice met his ears. "What are you grinning about, Capsicle?"

Steve blinked as Tony and Peter let go of each other. "Oh, sorry. I've just never you so…" He raised an eyebrow, unsure of which word to use. "-cuddly before?"

Tony narrowed his eyes and whoops. Apparently, that was the wrong word to use. But Tony's frown melted when Peter snuggled into his side, voice over dramatic and silly. "Oh, Mr Stark loooves cuddles! We hug all the time. Like, twice I think."

Tony looked down at the kid, offended. "I've hugged you more than that!"

Peter made a face, clearly not agreeing with him. "Ehhh…"

Steve let out a quiet laugh as Tony screwed up his features, confused. "What? You want more hugs?"

Peters eyes practically lit up. "Always!"

Tony put his arm around the boy and steered him towards the med bay, still confused. "Don't you have broken ribs? Hugs are going to hurt for a while there, bud."

Peter followed along, babbling happily as they walked and Steve couldn't help but laugh at the two. "Well, when I'm better then. Hugs are very good for you, Mr Stark. Studies show that they boost the immune system, relieve stress, increases the brain's production of oxytocin and balances out the central nervous system! You're stressed like, all the time, so you should probably up your daily number of hugs."

Tony laughed. "Whatever you say Squirt."

::::::::::::::::

"So, what's this meeting about again?" Peter tried and failed, not to fidget as Tony adjusted the leather jacket he'd put on him, over the blue and white patterned shirt.

"It's just going to be a long boring speech from some old guy about responsibility and our duties as heroes in America."

Peter frowned. "I didn't know Steve was doing a speech."

Tony and Peter laughed, the mechanic nodding. "Good one. No, the government just thinks we need reminding every now and then that they could arrest us but they won't as long as we behave ourselves and continue to act in the best interest of the country."

The teenager rolled his shoulders out as Tony brushed off the jacket. "They won't make me reveal my identity, right?"

Tony shook his head, adjusting his own suit as he looked in the full-length mirror. "No, that's why you're going to wear your mask while your there."

Peter nodded and leant on the wall of Tony's walk-in closet, anxiety easing. "Oh, thank god."

He looked down at the leather jacket that Tony had leant him. It was no doubt more expensive than anything he owned, but it smelt like Tony and Peter liked it.

"Not that I'm not grateful, because I am but why am I wearing your clothes?"

Tony ran his hands through his hair, styling his hair the way he liked as he answered. "I don't want them to have any clues about who you are. This way it's harder to guess your age and anything else about you. Anyway, you look good."

Peter tugged the hem of the jacket down, smoothing his hands over the smooth material. "Thanks."

His hands patted down the leather, eyebrows furrowing as he found the pockets to be all lumpy. He didn't know what to expect to find but it wasn't-

"Hey, there are snacks in here!" His face broke out into a smile and Tony laughed quietly.

"Yeah, I don't want you getting hungry. The pockets are lined with plastic. There are blueberries in the left one, crackers in the right and I put a burrito in the inside breast pocket for you, too."

Peters' mouth was open wide in a smile and his eyes were shining, words coming as an awed whisper. "Thank you!"

Tony patted his shoulder, eyes shining in amusement. "No problem. Let's get going."

Peter couldn't believe he got to wear Mr Starks clothes while eating snacks and at an official government meeting. He also couldn't believe Mr Stark had gotten him snacks! Peter was always hungry during the day, needing much more food than the average kid. Maybe Tony was tired of hearing Peter go back to the pantry twenty times a day.

Sam and Bucky seemed to enjoy them too, sitting on either side of Peter in the meeting, their hands dipping in and out of his pockets as the grumpy old government men prattled on and on about their civic duty.

Tony did his best to pretend he was listening but he was distracted by the small giggle escaping Peters mask as Sam and Bucky shoved food into their mouths every time the Generals back was turned.

Tony couldn't keep from laughing himself, as Steve frowned and nudged Buck with a disapproving look. Tony thought he was being the old fart he usually was and telling his teammates to respect the General and the meeting, until Bucky handed some blueberries over under the table and Steve smiled.

When the meeting was finally concluded they all tried out, heading for the cars. Once they were away from any prying eyes, ears, or cameras Tony playfully shoved at Sam and Bucky. "Stop stealing Peters food! Taking candy from spider-babies is wrong!"

Peter lifted his arm, making it easier for Bucky to steal his crackers, and he smiled. "It's okay, I still have my burrito!"

Tony watched Peter pull the wrap from his pocket. He lifted his mask to his nose, and began tearing into his food, happily hopping along. "Mr Stark, you're the best!"

Tony smiled, shrugging. "I know."

:::::::::::::::::

Tony adjusted another wire in his suit before spinning around on his chair to grab a tool from the bench behind him.

Only to find his protege asleep on the desk. Peter had his arms resting on the table, pillowing his head as he snored. Tony sighed and checked his watch as he got up from his seat.

"Okay Pete, time for bed." He gently took the kids shoulders and pulled him to sit up on his seat, Peter groaning as he moved him.

"Hmmmr Stark, I can't go to bed yet. I have to finish the conductors."

Tony put his hands under Peters' arms and lifted him onto his feet, the teenager sagging towards him as his eyes remained closed.

"You can do it tomorrow."

Tony wrapped his arm around Peters' waist and gently led him from the room as the boy whined. "But they aren't conducting yet."

Peter was so tired his feet were clumsy and heavy and Tony couldn't help but laugh at the way they dragged and stomped on the carpet as Peter tried to stay upright.

They had made their way into the hallway, heading for the teenager's room, when Bruce poked his head out of his own door. His hair was mussed from sleep and he squinted, glasses missing from their usual spot, perched on his nose.

"What are you guys doing? Tony? Why are you carrying Peter? Is he okay?"

He reached forward, grabbing Peters wrist and Tony kept his voice low as he put an end to his friends late night freak out. "Yeah, he's fine. He's just tired. I'm taking him to bed."

Bruce blinked, letting go of Peters' arm to look down at his watch, frowning. "It's two AM! I told you to go to bed four hours ago! Tony!"

The mechanic rolled his eyes and adjusted his hold on the kid, ignoring the way Peter groaned and pressed his face to his shoulder. "I know but we were working on our suits and we lost track of time. It's not a big deal."

Bruce didn't look happy, crossing his arms as he frowned grumpily. "It's not good for you to disrupt your sleep schedules like this. How many times do I have to tell you to take care of yourself? And now you have Peter doing it too!"

Bruce continued to ramble on about circadian rhythms and the importance of sleep for retaining memory but Tony tuned him out. He couldn't concentrate on what Bryce was saying while he was standing there in his pyjamas with his hair all wild. He looked like a teddy bear that had just woken up from hibernation. Tony kind of wanted to hug him but he knew Bruce was not as cuddly as he looked.

Damn. Maybe he did need to sleep.

"Mr Dad said I could sstay up to… to help him on the science stuff." Tony blinked, looking down at Peter who was smiling goofily up at Bruce, eyes barely open.

Bruce didn't seem to know what to say, mouth open in surprise. Tony was surprised himself but it was mostly overshadowed by the hilarious fact that one of Peter's eyes was open more than the other and his smile was so wonky it looked as if it were melting off his face. Poor kid was beyond tired.

Tony pushed down his laughter and asked a question instead. "I thought you didn't call me Mr Dad?"

One of Peter's eyes blinked, voice slurred. "It wass autocorrect."

Bruce and Tony shared a look as the mechanic snickered. "This is a verbal conversation, Peter."

The corner of Bruce's mouth pulled up as Peter shook his head before resting it on Tony's shoulder. "No, I'm dreaming. You can say whatever you want in dreams."

Tony nodded good-naturedly. "Oh yeah? Like what."

Tony was expecting nonsense or a meme he didn't understand but instead, Peter just closed his eyes and sighed. "You're a good dad."

Tony didn't know what to say. Bruce smiled, hand shooting out to steady the kid as he wavered on his feet. Tony tightened his grip on Peters side, holding him up against his chest as the teenager yawned, hand coming up to curl into his shirt.

Tony closed his mouth before he caught any flies and smiled, words soft against Peters' hair. "Thanks, buddy."

The little tyke was heavy in Tony's arms but he didn't mind at all as Peter sighed, words trailing off as he fell asleep sagged against his mentor. "You're welcome. Peter-Man go night-night now. Goodnight Bruce. Night, Mr Dad."

Tony held him up as Peters breaths evened out, sound asleep half standing up.

Bruce smiled, all traces of grumpiness gone, his voice hushed and amused. "You better get him to bed before he curls up on the floor. Want any help?"

Tony bent his knees, dipping low and pulling Peters arm up over his shoulder, before grabbing him and lifting him up in a fireman's carry. Peter didn't seem to mind being draped across Tony's shoulders like a sack of potatoes and simply snored against his neck.

"Nah I got it. Thanks, Bruce."

The doctor slipped back into his own room as Tony headed for Peters. It wasn't the first time he'd had to take an exhausted little hero to bed and he doubted it would be the last.

He carefully manoeuvred Peter off his shoulder, slipping him down into his arms and laying him in bed. The kid snored away, not waking for a moment as Tony pulled his shoes off before tucking him in.

Peter was far off in dreamland, visions of galaxies and seas made from stars drifting through his head. But even from there he could feel Tony's fingers brush his hair back before he pressed a quick kiss to his forehead.

"Sweet dreams, kid."

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Tony fired another beam at the merry band of bank robbers, sending one of them right off their motorbike and onto the street.

Peter webbed him up, saving him from being crushed by oncoming traffic before swinging after the others.

That was until one of the robbers turned and fired at Tony. Usually, bullets would bounce right off his suit, leaving him unharmed but this time he felt it hit, hot pain slicing through him as it pierced his armour.

He cried out as his flight pattern was disrupted, right thigh screaming in pain as he tried to stop from crashing.

Peter stopped swinging, immediately turning to Tony who was attempting a shaky landing.

"TONY!"

Friday was sending alarms blaring through the suit, scans and diagnosis' cluttering his vision as he hit the ground, rolling onto his back in the street.

"Dammit."

Peter flung his webs as fast as he could, forgetting about the bank robbers in an instant as he landed in a crouch next to his mentor. He was panting, mask eyes as wide as they could get as he reached for Tony's bleeding leg.

"Oh my god. They shot you. You're- it should have bounced off."

Tony grunted in pain as he sat up, clinically looking through Friday's data without a trace of panic in his voice. "Assholes must have gotten their hands on some vibranium. I'll call T'Challa and see if he knows anything. Hey, maybe he'll send someone down to come get it. You'll like their warriors, and the princess is-"

Peter shook his head, rushing breaths ragged and too fast. "No, you got shot. That's not supposed to happen. You're supposed to be safe."

Tony frowned, sitting up and taking Peters shoulder, frowning when he found it to be trembling. "Hey, I'm okay. It's a through and through, nothing but meat. Friday's already given me something for the pain and something else to help it clot. It'll stop bleeding soon."

Peter didn't seem to hear him and he yanked off his mask as he sucked in a strained lungful of air.

Tony grabbed at his hands, looking around for any onlookers but found none. Thank god. "Pete! Keep that on!"

"I have to call Bruce. You need help. I-I have a compression web that might-"

Tony's suit unfolded itself from his leg, exposing injured limb to reveal the blood slicking his thigh.

Peter pressed his shaky hands to Tony's wound, pressing down hard and the mechanic grit his teeth at the burst of pain it caused.

"Peter-"

The teenager was so pale, looking down at his fingers against Tony's thigh and the way his suit was growing wet with blood. His mentor's blood. He looked like he was about to throw up and Tony grabbed his shoulders, fingers digging in to try and get him to look at him.

"Peter, hey look at me. Come on."

The kid lifted his shaky gaze and Tony saw his eyes shine with unshed tears. He kept his voice soft, hoping Peter would calm down.

"I'm okay. It's not that bad. Bruce has already been notified and he's on his way. You don't have to worry."

Peter held Tony gaze but his heart wouldn't stop thumping too-hard against his rib cage. His chest was getting too tight and he couldn't stop the sob that escaped, words twisted and warped as tears started to fall.

"You got shot. I ha-have to keep pressure on it."

Tony nodded and rubbed at the kid's arm comfortingly, hating the tears that rolled down Peters cheeks to drop off his chin. "Okay. You keep pressure on it. Just try to stay calm."

Peter sniffed and pressed harder, making Tony hiss in pain. "Sorry. Sorry, Uncle Ben just hold on."

Tony's face jerked up to look at the kid, eyes wide with surprise as his heart thumped quicker in concern. "Peter, buddy it's Tony. Not Ben."

Peter blinked, eyes tearing away from the blood on his hands to Tony's face and he shook his head, frowning. "I-I know. Tony."

The Avenger wasn't even sure if Peter realised his slip up and he watched him closely as they waited for help to arrive.

By the time Bruce and the others pulled up Peter was shaking so badly his hands were practically vibrating on Tony's leg and his breathing hadn't calmed any.

Bruce parked the van sloppily in the deserted street and tumbled out with his bag as Natasha and Bucky got out after him.

"How is he?"

Tony looked up as they approached, eyebrows furrowed in concern. "I'm okay. It's not that bad."

Bruce knelt and snapped some gloves on, pressing gauze over Peters' hands. "I got it. You can let go now."

He didn't move right away, seemingly frozen and Bruce raised his voice, urging him again.

"Peter."

The kid flinched, blinking as Bruce's voice softened, gently tugging Peters' hands. "I need you to let go, kiddo."

Peter hesitated before his shaking fingers finally pulled away, red smeared across his gloved palms.

He looked as if he were in shock, not even totally aware that help had arrived and Bruce and Tony shared a look.

They didn't need to speak to communicate. Tony told Bruce he was fine with nothing but the clarity of his eyes and then, with a nod, he asked that the Doctor take care of the teenager because he was most definitely not fine.

Bruce gave a slight nod and got to work. He wrapped Tony's leg tight and secured the bandage before slipping his gloves off and grabbing a penlight.

Peter was sitting back on his haunches and barely flinched when Bruce shone the light in his eyes. "Peter? Are you feeling okay?"

The teenager panted, gaze still stuck to Tony's leg. His voice wavered, small and childlike.

"You have to help Tony. They shot him."

Bruce nodded, pressing two fingers against the inside of Peters' wrist. "Okay, I'll take care of him. While I do that, Natasha's going to take you to the van and clean you up."

That seemed to wake Peter up a bit and he shook his head. "No, I don't want to leave him."

Bruce tried to catch his eyes, leaning down as he spoke, voice level and slow. "I'll take him to the van once I've checked him over. Peter, he's stable right now but I'm a little concerned you're overwhelmed. Natasha's going to help you calm down."

Peter's breathing picked up as Black Widows hands found his waist and he let out a whimper. "No, I don't want to. I wanna stay here and-"

Tony gave him a smile, hand rubbing down Peters' arm. "Hey, everything's okay. I'll be right behind you. Come on, kiddo I'm not going anywhere. I promise. Go with Nat."

Peters wet eyes found Tony's smile as Natasha wrapped her arm around his waist and lifted him to his feet.

Her voice was soft in his ear as she led him to the van, sitting him down on a seat inside and kneeling in front of him. "Bruce will take care of him. So, you let me take care of you, okay? Give me your hands."

Peter tried to stop his hiccuping breaths from jumping as she gently cleaned the red from his fingers and palms. Her kind eyes found his and she offered him a smile as she wiped her warm palm over his cheek. "Take a deep breath. Why are you so scared?"

Peter tried not to look at the wipes Natasha threw away and how much blood she'd cleaned from him. "I saw him get hit and go down and…"

Natasha squeezed his hand as he got choked up. "You were worried. It's okay."

Peter nodded, squeezing his eyes closed as a sob burst from him. Natasha's heart ached and she wrapped the teenager up in her arms, holding him close. "Oh, honey. He'll be alright."

Tony looked over at the van as he heard Peter start crying again, watching as Natasha brushed her hands over his hair and sighed. "He called me Uncle Ben."

Bruce looked up from where he was taping an IV to Tony's arm, forehead creased with worry. "He's been through more than anyone should at his age. He didn't hit his head, did he?"

Tony frowned and shook his head quickly as Bucky looped an arm around him and prepared to get him to the van. "No, he just started freaking out when I went down. I don't know why. It's not like he hasn't seen any of us get hurt before. I think I should stick close to him tonight; make sure he sleeps okay. I don't want this bringing back his nightmares."

Bruce nodded and held the IV bag up as Bucky helped Tony to his feet. "We'll keep an eye on him. I want you resting."

Peter was suddenly at his side then, grabbing at Tony as he panicked. "No, you shouldn't be walking!"

Despite the fact that Bucky was taking all his weight from his bad side, Peter was sort of right and quickly picked up his mentor.

Tony grunted in surprise as Peter held him and walked to the car, gently placing him down on the gurney in the back. "Uhh...thanks kiddo. Come and sit down."

Peters strength would never cease to amaze those around him and Tony smiled as the teenager settled in the seat next to him. He sat, back stiff, knee bouncing anxiously as he sniffed and wiped his cheeks with the back of his hand. His crying had stopped but he looked so on edge that Tony held his own hand out, gently tapping Peters tightly closed fist where it pressed against his knee.

"Hey."

Peter looked down at the outstretched hand and took it, squeezing tight as he found Tony's uncertain smile. "Yeah?"

Tony rested back on the gurney, thankful for the pain meds Friday had given him as his leg throbbed. "I'm sorry for scaring you."

Peter shrugged, sullen and Tony hated how upset he was. He didn't say anything, just held Tony's hand tight in his the whole way home, worrying the mechanic further.

::::

Tony had thought that Peter would be stuck to his side after the horrible afternoon they had but by the time Tony was released from the med bay with pain meds and tightly secured bandages, Peter was nowhere to be found.

Tony had fallen asleep after being patched up, thanks to the blood loss and the lovely little sedative Bruce gave him but when he woke around midnight Peter was the first thing on his mind.

Bruce frowned as he watched Tony get off the bed. "I'm serious, if you tear those stitches I will-"

Tony smirked, leaning heavily on the cane he'd been given to use. "What? You'll beat my ass?"

Bruce shook his head, smiling at how ridiculous his friend was. "No. I'll get Natasha to beat your ass."

Tony winced theatrically, making his slow way to the door. "Ooh. I'll be sure to keep them intact then."

It took a while for Tony to get to Peter's room with one working leg but when he finally did he found him packing his things into a bag. Not what he was expecting.

"You going on a trip or something?"

Peter didn't turn at his voice, likely having heard him come up the hall anyway.

His voice was sullen and sulky as he shoved shirts and hoodies into his bag. "I can't stay here anymore." He dipped his voice lower, words spoken under his breath as if he hadn't meant Tony to hear. But he did anyway. "You shouldn't be anywhere near me."

Tony stood in the doorway, blinking in surprise. "Why? What are you talking about?"

Peter didn't say anything and didn't turn, but Tony could hear him sniffing as he grabbed his books to put in his bag.

It hurt to walk but Tony couldn't let Peter shut him out and he shuffled into the room, voice dipped low in the dim room.

"Peter, talk to me. What's wrong?"

The teenager's hands paused, fingers pressing to his books so hard the bindings threatened to come loose. "I am. I'm what's wrong. I killed my parents and Uncle Ben and now I'm going to kill you and I can't-"

Tony's mouth fell open and he hurriedly hobbled forward, interrupting Peter before he could say anything else insane. "Woah! Why would you say something like that!? You didn't kill them!"

Peter finally turned, face red and puffy. Had he been crying all night on his own? His hands curled to fists at his sides, voice trying to be something akin to hard. "I loved my parents and they died and I loved Uncle Ben and he died and I…"

He hesitated, voice unsteady as his earnest eyes met Tony's. He was so close to saying it Tony could practically already see the shape of the words in the set of Peters' mouth. But he couldn't. Those words hurt too much to say right at that moment because according to Peter if he loved Mr Stark, that meant he would die too. So, he used some other words.

"...I don't want to lose you."

They broke Tony's heart all the same and he limped over until he was close enough to lay a hand on the teenager's arm.

"Aw Pete. You don't have to worry about that."

The kid shook his head, bottom lip wobbling as his throat clogged up and his eyes grew too damp to see out of. "That's not true. Your suit was supposed to protect you from bullets but it didn't, you got shot. I saw you go down and I had to stop the bleeding just like I did with Uncle Ben and I couldn't-it wasn't enough and he…"

Peter was hyperventilating again as he rambled and Tony rubbed the kid's arm, trying to get his attention. "Hey, calm down. That wasn't on you. You never should have had to go through that."

But the words wouldn't stop tumbling out, they only got louder and more panicked.

"-and you're always going into dangerous missions. What if you get hurt again? What if it was all because of me? What if I killed them?" A sob broke through and Tony dropped his cane and grabbed the kid instead, pulling him to his chest.

"Oh god, kid. Don't say that. Please don't say that. It's not true."

Peter broke down in his arms, chest heaving as he wailed, arms gripping his mentor tight as his cheeks were, once again, wet with tears. "I couldn't save any of them. What if I can't save you?"

Tony felt his own eyes dampen as he held Peter tight, one hand brushing through Peters' hair in an attempt to calm him down. "I promise, I'm not going anywhere, kid. I'm not leaving you for a second. And I promise that your parents and your uncle...it was awful and I'm so sorry you had to go through that but it wasn't because of you, Peter. Bad things happen, they happened to my parents too, but it wasn't your fault.

"What we do is dangerous and yes, sometimes we get hurt. But we also save people. And I take every precaution I can to make sure that you and I are both safe when we go out and fight. Once in a while, I might get hurt and sometimes you might too but you need to remember that you are part of the greatest superhero team on the planet. We're well protected."

Peter sniffled against Tony's shoulder and he rubbed the kids back as he sighed.

"Everything's okay, Peter. You're safe and so am I. Everything's going to be okay. You'll see."

The teenager's chest didn't hurt so much and his breathing wasn't so strained. He closed his eyes and focused on the warm arms around him. "Thanks, Mr Stark."

:::::::::::

Tony took another bite of his waffles as he walked through the kitchen, eyes on his phone. Until something caught his eye. There were tickets in the bin, tickets to Peters graduation.

Tony put his waffle down and out his phone in his pocket, picking up the tickets and frowning down at them. "Hey, Pete? Whats this?"

The teenager was eating his own breakfast at the table, homework laid out in front of him and when he turned he practically choked on his cereal.

"Oh! That's...they're for graduation but May can't go and I know you have that meeting and everyone's busy so it's cool. It's not a big deal."

Tony shrugged and picked his waffle back up, feigning boredom. "So, if it's not a big deal you won't mind if I take them?"

Peters' mouth fell open a little, eyes wide and heartbreakingly hopeful. Had he really thought Tony would miss his graduation ceremony?

"You- you wanna go? But you have that meeting with the-"

Tony frowned. "What do I care about a meeting with the president for? You're graduating, the president can wait."

Peter didn't know what to say. Of course, he wanted Tony to go, he wanted someone to be there but he'd been too embarrassed to ask.

Natasha strode into the kitchen, boys behind her as they all came in from their morning workout. She spotted the tickets and plucked them out of Tony's hands along with his waffle.

"Oooh, tickets. We going out?"

Tony frowned at his missing breakfast but nodded and went to make himself some coffee.

"Yeah, Peter's graduating."

Peter blushed and shoved more cereal into his mouth as Natasha smiled at him. "Why didn't you tell us sooner? I'll reschedule my mission."

The teenager shook his head frantically. "No, you don't have to! I mean, if you want to that would be really cool but you guys are busy and it's really not that important."

Steve took a seat beside him at the table and smiled as he snapped his newspaper open. "We're allowed days off too, kid. We're going."

Bucky peered over Natasha's shoulder and grabbed the last bit of her stolen waffle, shoving it into his mouth before Nat could hit him. "Sweet. Steve, I'm raiding your closet."

Steve barely looked up from his paper as Bucky ran off. "Okay, fine but I'm wearing the blue suit."

Sam looked at the two tickets in Black Widows hand. "There aren't even enough for all of us. I'm gonna go call Spider-kids school and get more."

Natasha hopped up onto the bench, calling out to him as he left. "And go tell Bruce! He'll want to come too! Oh and Tony, you should call Happy."

Peter wasn't sure if what he was hearing was real. He looked up to Tony as the man got his phone out. "You really want to come? All of you?"

The billionaire smiled, surprised that Peter would even ask. "Of course we do. Our little Spider-Baby is all grown up and finishing school. Where else would we be?"

Peter was amazed and sort of felt like crying and that night at the ceremony, walking on stage and seeing the Avengers all there watching him he damn near almost did.

People were staring and he was pretty sure Flash was having a coronary but as Peter stood with the Avengers beside him, Tony's arm around him, he couldn't be happier.

"Time for a family photo! Everyone smile!" The photographer flashed her camera and Peter had the widest smile his face could possibly handle. His heart was bursting full of happiness and from the dampness, in Tony's eyes, he knew he was feeling the same.

Tony leaned down close to his ear, arm tightening around him and voice warm and fond. "I'm so proud of you Pete."

(AN: I hope you liked it! Please tell me what you think? This is the last chapter so, I'll be getting on to other prompts)

Also little note Tony got Peter a dope ass car for his graduation and got him into MIT with a full ride so yeah)