A/N: Hello again! So, there is a longer note at the bottom, but essentially, this is quite a long one, it's one of my first serious ones, and it has moderate violence. Just to let you know.

Also, I decided to write this one alone, with no prompts, simply because this is a trope I've wanted to try for a while and it's necessary to move the VERY faint but still-there timeline along.

Let's do it!

xXxXxXxXxXx

Peter was calm. Peaceful. Happy. He definitely couldn't feel the sharp feet digging into him. He couldn't hear the taunting, or the laughter. He couldn't taste the blood. He was fine.

Except he wasn't.

And his ribs really hurt. And his back. But mostly his pride. Because he knew he could fight back, but he didn't. Because this strength he had was a fluke. He did nothing to deserve it. He wasn't worthy of it. So he let the kicks keep coming and focused on not crying in the middle of a crowd. And hoped everyone got bored.

And eventually, they did. He heard people walking away, cheerful shouts of "Don't completely annihilate him Flash, we'll be down one high school weirdo!" They were stupid insults form stupider people but it still hurt. Why did it hurt!?

But he was doing this for Ned. For MJ. It was an unspoken agreement that Flash could do whatever he wanted to Peter as long as he didn't touch MJ or Ned. It was necessary. For everyone. For him, because he wouldn't be able to live knowing he could have spared Ned and MJ pain and didn't. So he took the pain.

Finally, Flash seemed to get tired. Peter stood up warily. Flash gave him another look. "You don't seem very hurt, Penis." He snarled. "Why you always covering those bruises? Aren't they your badges of honour!? PRECIOUS, PERFECT PETER, helping his friends. Your friends are FREAKS, Penis. Just. Like. You." Flash smirked. Jesus, he was really going for the whole Draco Malfoy shabam. But Peter still wasn't taking that.

"They're-" Peter winced in pain. "They're not freaks." he growled back at Flash.

"I guess you still haven't learned to shut up, Penis. That reminds me." Flash pushed him up against the wall and pulled back his fist. "Shut up."

xXxXxXxXxXx

Peter really didn't want to get up. His face was really, really hurting. But Happy was coming in 15 minutes, and he still had to clean himself up and cover anything that needed covering. He was getting good at it. In fact, he'd told Happy that he got detention for being late to period 2 so that he'd have time to, well, get beaten up. And to recover afterwards.

So, still wincing and eyes shamefully wet, he stood up and stumbled into the boys toilets. Thankfully, they were empty. Peter dared to look in a mirror, and gasped out loud. It was… a lot worse than usual. He should've guessed, he nearly blacked out this time. Along side a black eye (moved on from the 'red' stage thanks to his 'healing'), he had a huge gash down the side of his face. No no no. This was badddd. How was he supposed to cover this? It wasn't on his ribs, back or legs. It was right there on his face!

Maybe it would look better if he cleaned it, Peter weakly hoped. So he tentatively turned the tap on, wet a flannel from his backpack and started dabbing at the cuts.

About 5 minutes later Peter was done but it didn't look much better. The excess blood was gone, but his eye was still painfully purple and his gash was still bright red. And Happy was here in 5 minutes!

Peter could call it off, but Tony would know something was off, because Peter loved working for him. He couldn't blame it on Patrol because Peter didn't Patrol on Tuesdays, plus it would be easily disproven by just asking Karen. He couldn't go to his old apartment, May lived in the Tower now for safety and because she knew she could be close to Peter more. So, all Peter could do was… keep his hood down. And hope Mr Stark wasn't feeling talkative.

xXxXxXxXx

Happy wasn't a happy guy. But he was pretty observant, so when the usually excited word-vomiting kid got into the car without saying anything, with a sullen expression and his face shadowed with a hood, needless to say Happy was suspicious.

So he just put up the separating screen, and texted Tony.

Happy: Something's up with the kid. Just a heads up.

Tony: Are his vitals stable? Is he ok?

Happy: I don't know what's wrong. I don't get paid for therapy. Ask him yourself, it doesn't seem urgent.

Tony: Gee, thanks for the help.

Happy: Just letting you know.

xXxXxXxXx

Peter nodded at Happy moodily and got out of the car. He trudged up the steps and dragged himself upstairs, thankfully not encountering anyone else. He saw his reflection in the reflective glass and cringed at the damage. It really did hurt, but he was more concerned with hiding it right now. He paused outside the lab. Pulling his hood down as far as it would go, and taking a shaky breath, he pushed the door open.

"Hey, kid!" Tony exclaimed, looking concerned already. Shit.

"Hi." Peter replied shortly, hoping Mr Stark took the hint.

Mr Stark did not take the hint.

"What's up with you, kid? Where's that over-excitable attitude I love to hate?" Tony prodded, walking over. "Take off that hoodie, it's hot in here."

"I'm… I'm cold." Peter mumbled, looking down.

Tony stood there staring at him. Peter silently willed him to just drop it. Please. And he did! Tony shrugged and walked away, seemingly satisfied with the conversation.

xXxXxXxXx

Tony was so not satisfied. But clearly the kid didn't want to talk about it, and Tony could respect that. Well, no, he couldn't. He could understand it, but it was still stupid. He had to see what was up. But he couldn't gather anything with Peter hiding away in that hoodie, saying he was 'cold'. Cold, my ass.

Suddenly Tony had a bit of a lightbulb. He smirked to himself. "Just gonna go get some coffee, kid. One sec." he said, getting up. He got only a grunt in response.

Once out of the room, Tony pulled up F.R.I.D.A.Y. "Turn up the heat in Lab 247. Turn it up a lot."

xXxXxXxXx

Peter was glad to see Tony leave for a bit. He took the time to touch his face in the hope it was better, but it stung just like before. Possibly worse. But Tony had taken the 'cold' excuse, so that was working out fine. Except for the fact that he wasn't cold at all. In fact, he could have sworn that it was getting hotter! But obviously he couldn't take off his hoodie.

About 15 minutes later and Peter was sweltering. This was ridiculous. Peter considered taking off his hoodie temporarily, but the risk was too high that Tony would walk in. So he sat there. But it was getting really, really hot. Peter was sweating gallons, and practically gasping for air at this point. Then Tony walked in. Peter was too preoccupied with not fainting to realise the smug expression on Tony's face, and the fact that he didn't have a coffee. He genuinely felt like he was gonna black out. Then, amongst all the horrible suffocating heat he heard Tony say:

"Hey, kid. It's absolutely boiling in here, take off that hoodie. You're gonna bake yourself!"

Peter managed to move his head enough to shake it.

Tony frowned. "Fine. Pass me that screwdriver."

Peter looked at the ground in despair. He couldn't move, he couldn't. His whole body was bruised up, and he was pretty sure his face was bleeding again, and it was so hot. So goddamn hot. But, slowly, Peter lifted himself up. He grabbed the screwdriver and inched forward. Everything was going blurry. The heat of the blood on his face, his aching body begging him to stop and the heat, the heat, the heat. And then he fell. Again.

"Kid! Kid? What the f*ck?"

Peter felt himself get hauled up and put in a chair. He pulled his hoodie down with the last of his strength.

"Take the hoodie off, kid. I mean it."

But Peter was still adamant, slowly shaking his head once again. Then he heard a sigh of exasperation, and felt hands on his head, grasping and yanking. He went to fight back but he just hurt so much. So much. So he let it happen, and the breath of cool air when the hoodie was pulled off woke him up to the situation. He squeaked and covered his face with his arms. Except his arms were all bruised too.

He heard Mr Stark take a sharp intake of breath.

"Kid… what… what the f*ck happened? What- Who-" he stammered, going to touch Peter's face.

And then Peter just broke. Alongside the blood he felt tears leave his eyes and he just lay there, sobbing and in pain. Tony went to hug him, something Peter had dreamed of, but now, he was just filled with shame. So he drunkenly stood up and ran out, pushing the doors open. He ran down the stairs, still crying and feeling his legs start to give up. He got to the living room and suddenly everything went black.

xXxXxXxXx

Peter was enjoying this dream. Everything was quiet, and white. And… white? Peter became aware to the fluorescent light above him and also, frighteningly how much his body hurt.

"But what happened, Stark? This isn't patrol. He's practically completely purple, for god's sake."

"I don't know! He was trying desperately to hide it though."

"Why would he hide this?!"

"Like I know, Romanov! I just found out when you guys did. He was so desperate to hide it he made himself conk out. Something is going on here."

"No shit Tony."

"Look here, don't-"

"Guys, shut it. He's waking up."

Peter opened his eyes to a group of concerned Avengers staring down at him.

"Um… hi?" he said weakly, his voice sounding like he'd swallowed sawdust.

Everyone just looked at him either in exasperation, confusion or concern. A lot of concern. Peter tried to stand up, but found the best he could do was sit up.

"Peter." Peter looked towards the voice. It was his Aunt May, looking more scared and yet murderous than he'd ever seen her. "Peter… what happened to you?"

Peter really wanted to tell them, to ask for help. But he couldn't. "I tripped. Fell down the stairs at school. But I thought you guys would think I was clumsy so I didn't tell you." He said, not meeting their eyes.

Clint just sighed, but he seemed to believe him. So did Thor, Scott and Bruce. But now Nat looked at him . "Pete, I know a black eye when I see one."

Peter mumbled: "Well then you'll know I haven't got one."

"PETER PARKER." Peter jumped at the sudden shout.

"DON'T LIE TO ME." Nat grabbed his shoulder and stared at him.

"Nat- maybe he's telling the truth-" Clint interjected.

Nat turned. "There are bruises all over his body. And his face- there's a deep gash. A gash! You can't- not from stairs, Clint!"

"I know you're clumsy Peter but this-" May said, beginning to panic.

Then everyone was talking again. And they were shouting and arguing and Peter was being quiet and-

"F.R.I.D.A.Y." Everyone turned to see a grim faced Tony bring up a screen. "F.R.I.D.A.Y. Show me video logs from emergency spider drone 31 from 3:35-4:40." Peter's heart stopped. He looked at the screen, and at the Avengers. This couldn't be real.

"Showing logs, sir." F.R.I.D.A.Y responded.

And on the screen, came up Peter. Peter walking out of last period with Ned, talking about Star Wars. They got to the end off the hall, and Peter said something to Ned.

"F.R.I.D.A.Y, enhance audio." Whispered Nat.

Now you could hear. "Sorry dude. I've got detention. I was late to period 3."

Tony looked at Peter. "You told me you were late to period 2, Peter." He said, tiredly.

"I-" Peter went to say something, but he shut up when everyone just glared at him. They all turned to the screen. Peter felt himself drain of colour. He didn't- he didn't want to see this- not again- And then he felt his hand get squeezed. It was Nat, looking at him with something like pity but not patronising. More of a 'I'm here for you. Even if you don't need it or want it.' So Peter just gulped and turned to the screen.

Screen Peter was walking out now. Obviously not to detention. He went to round the corner when- Peter nearly shouted out loud to warn himself but he couldn't. Because this had already happened and he had deserved it. So the first kick came, and screen Peter went flying to the ground. "Penis! So nice of you to join us!" he heard Flash say, and he heard his stupid gang laugh. Then it started. They were all- kicking him and throwing things and Peter just lay there, shielding his head.

"If you don't let me hit your head I'll go hit Ned's. You wouldn't want that, would you Penis?"

The stupid gang were saying things and Peter really really didn't like seeing this again. Then, eventually, he saw Marcus (the second worse douche next to Flash) get bored. Marcus threw one last rock and then said the stupid thing: "Don't completely annihilate him Flash, we'll be down one high school weirdo!"

And then it was just Peter and Flash. He watched himself defend his friends, and saw himself get thrown up against the wall, punched hard in the face and black out. Then he saw what he hadn't seen before, an unconscious Peter lying there whilst Flask took a picture and kicked him in the head once more. Then Flash seemed to get bored, and went to leave. But screen Peter- he didn't have the gash yet. That was when it happened. Flash was about to leave when he stopped. He turned back and looked at Peter. "Why don't we do something a little more permanent for your pretty little face, Penis." He whispered menacingly to himself. Real-life Peter heard himself gasp out loud. Flash bent down and took out a pocket knife. He slashed it down Peter's face and watched for a moment. Then he ran off.

The screen went black. Everyone slowly turned to Peter. Except Peter wasn't there.

xXxXxXxXxXx

Peter sat in his room. Crying. Everything was ruined now- they all thought he was weak and they all thought he was pathetic and they were right and everything still hurt.

He lay down in his bed and sobbed quietly.

Then the door creaked. Tony was there. Just Tony.

This time Peter took the hug.

xXxXxXxXx

They were there for a while. Peter explained what had happened through mixed sobs and every time he got ashamed or embarrassed or withdrawn, Ton would shamelessly hold him, look at him and tell him that his reaction was completely justifiable, in fact extremely brave. Tony wasn't having another emotionally constipated Avenger if he could help it. Then May had come in. She apologised for not doing it in the first place, but Peter looked at her red eyes and knew it was simply out of shock.

"I wanted to be there for you Peter, that's why I'm here now, at the tower. I'm sorry." She whispered.

"No, it's fine. I should have told you." Peter smiled comfortingly at her. "Plus… I think in a way I needed to talk to Mr Stark about it."

"I'm glad you have this, Peter. You deserve all of this." She went to hug him. "I'm glad you have Tony, too." She whispered in his ear. "You need a fath- a male figure in your life." They were both quiet. Peter didn't deny it. He didn't acknowledge the 'father figure' thing but they both knew it was true.

xXxXxXxXx

Tony had slipped out and explained to the mass of worried, panicking Avengers what had happened in full. Then they went to his school. Needless to say, the principal was shocked when Black Widow stormed into his office, slammed down Flash Thompson's, Marcus Hedge's and Macy Forest's student ID's and insisted they were expelled. Once the initial shock had expired and the Principal was shown proof, the students and their parents were called in. Neither parties ever said what happened in that office, and all students named were expelled.

Tony also made sure that the information that the Avengers had rallied in the principal's office for Peter was just between the student's and their families, and the principal himself. The press would not know, and neither would anyone at Peter's school. Whilst it may have been good for people to know not to mess with Peter, it was too dangerous and the decision to reveal the close bond Peter had with the Avengers should be Peter's choice, and in a more ideal scenario.

xXxXxXxXx

Once everything was better, everyone sat in the living room and essentially gave Peter a big hug. It was just that wholesome. Peter had started crying when Tony told him Flash and the rest were gone, purely out of shock and relief.

It was over.

When the everyone sat down to watch 'Mulan' ("It's a classic!" Bruce had insisted.) Peter sat next to Tony and gave him a wary glance. He really, really wanted to just rest on him. He was afraid to acknowledge it but the kid was affection starved. He shuffled closer every minute, and eventually Tony must have noticed because he just gave Peter a bemused glance, chuckled and pulled Peter in a lot closer, his arm slung round Peter's shoulders.

Peter froze, but then relaxed, laying his head on Tony's shoulder.

Things were looking up.

A/N: WOW. That was a long one. So, I tried my best. I had some serious writers block and doubts about this one, but I think that is largely due to the fact that this is one of the first serious toned pieces. Anyway, leave a review and a follow, I'll be writing a bit more in the next few days so I'll try to get in a few more prompts. If you have a prompt, this is the prime time to post it! If you want further prompt info, look to the bottom of the first chapter. Thanks again!

Just to remind you, this story is available on fanfiction. net, archiveofourown and Wattpad, but I will always post any new chapters on first, and typically more chapters are available on too. However I am working on getting all chapters up on all websites.