Yeah...

Look, I honestly wasn't planning to write more but then I woke up with this idea in my head and here we are.

Thank for all the love you have given the last two chapter and I hope that you enjoy this one too.

Apologies for any mistakes.

Summary: Peter has a bad day.

The Bad Day

The pale blue numbers 3:45 mocked Peter and he sighed in the darkness of his room, rolling his head to stare back at the ceiling. He knew it was going to be a bad day. He knew it when the clocked had flicked over to midnight and he was still awake. It's not that Peter didn't want to sleep, he did, except it just wouldn't come. His body was tired, his eyes were tired but his mind would not stop turning. So, he had laid there all night, listening to the crickets and the sounds of the lake.

Peter froze when he heard a murmur through the walls that separated his room and Morgan's. As the murmuring got louder, Peter pushed himself up, listening closer.

"Oh no," Morgan sniffed.

Peter threw back the covers and lifted himself off the bed. He crossed his room in an instant, opening the door and slipping silently into Morgan's room. He shut the door behind him with a quiet click, eyes adjusting to the dark room easily.

"Mo?" Peter whispered.

"Peter?" Morgan hiccupped.

Crossing the room, Peter switched on the lamp to brighten the room.

Morgan sat in the middle of her bed, blankets thrown off and onto the floor. She sat utterly dejected, tears flowing down her cheeks and a wet stain spreading across the bottom sheet.

"It's okay," Peter soothed instantly, rubbing her back with his good hand. "Shhhh, don't cry. It's okay."

"I – I wet the bed," Morgan sobbed.

"Shhhh," Peter soothed. "It's okay. Nothing to cry about."

"I didn't – didn't mean too," Morgan hiccupped, rubbing at her eyes.

"I know you didn't," Peter kissed her cheek. "Come on, let's get you cleaned and into some dry clothes." Making sure that his fingers and palm stuck to Morgan's back, he used his sticky powers to lift Morgan.

He grinned when she let out a wet giggle she let out and he carried her over to the door. Opening it up quietly with his foot, Peter crept along the hallway and to the bathroom. He made sure the door was shut first before turning on the light – not wanting to wake up Pepper or Tony. Gently lowering Morgan to the floor, he made sure she was stable on her feet before unsticking his hand from her back.

He moved to the bath, turning on the taps and putting in the plug. Making sure the temp was okay, he turned to his little sister.

"Alright, which would you like; Magic Bubbles or Soap-tastic-fun?" Peter asked.

"Magic bubbles," Morgan sniffed. "Please."

"You got it," Peter said. "You want to take your PJ's off while I get the bubbles?"

Morgan nodded with a wet sniff and started pulling off her wet clothes.

Peter rummaged through the cupboard for the bubbles and found them towards the back. He pulled them out, poured a generous amount into the tub before putting them back. He stood back up and paused when he caught his reflection in the mirror.

His skin was pale and drawn, dark circles under his eyes. His left eye was no longer covered in black and only his earlobe still held a slight bruising tinge to it. If Peter wore a turtleneck you would never know that his left side was disfigured. The greyish, I've-been-submerged-in-water-to-long look was gone but now held the look that he had been in a serious fire. But tonight, the black stood out against his too pale skin and it made his stomach churn uncomfortably.

"'m ready," Morgan said.

Peter tore his gaze away from the mirror and quickly switched off the taps. He tripled checked the temperature of the water before holding his good hand out to his little sister.

"Alright, Mo. In you hop," Peter said.

He had just helped her settle into the tub when there was a knock on the bathroom door and they both froze. The person didn't wait for an answer before the door was gently pushed open and Tony appeared in the doorway.

"Hey kids, whatcha' doing?" He smirked.

"Having a magic bubble bath," Peter answered.

"I wet the bed," Morgan sniffed.

"I know," Tony stepped into the bathroom. "Don't worry, mum's all over it." At Peter's questioning frown he added, "FRIDAY alerted us."

"I was going to change the sheets after we cleaned up," Peter said, and he blinked at how harshly it came out.

Tony seemed taken back too as he blinked at Peter. "I know. You did a good job, kid." He hesitated for a second before brushing back Peter's bed-ruffle curls. "Why don't you go back to bed? You look tired."

"M' fine," Peter mumbled. The frustration of not being able to fall asleep had disappeared as Morgan needed help but now it was back, building in his chest and gritted his teeth.

"Go back to sleep, Pete," Tony ordered softly.

"Fine," Peter huffed, rocking back onto his feet and brushed past Tony and into the hallway.

He didn't go back to his room, choosing instead to got to Morgan's. When he got there, Pepper had already stripped the bed and was wiping down the plastic that covered the mattress.

"What can I do?" Peter asked.

Pepper startled but smiled when she saw it was just Peter. "I've got it, hun. Why don't you go back to bed? It's still early."

"I can help," Peter said stubbornly.

Peter's breath caught and his jaw clenched as he saw Pepper's eyes flicker to his left arm encased in his sling, blackened fingers peeking out.

"I know you can," Pepper said. "But I have it all –"

"Right," Peter cut her off and turned around and headed back into his room. He shut the door behind him and crossed to the bed. Instead of hopping into the bed he grabbed his pillow and tossed it under the bed before dropping down and wriggling his way underneath. Maybe the spider in him just wanted somewhere else to sleep?

The spider in him didn't and so Peter remained awake, staring at the underside of his bed until the sun had risen and he heard Tony, Pepper and Morgan moving around the house.

"What do you feel like for lunch?" Pepper asked, moving to the fridge to peer inside. "We have left over lasagne we could heat up or I can make some sandwiches."

"Juice pops!" Morgan demanded from the table.

"You can have one after you've eaten lunch," Pepper smirked.

"Daddy would let me have one," Morgan said.

"Would I?" Tony hummed, striding into the room. "Hmmm, not while mum is in charge of lunch."

"What do you feel like?" Pepper asked, accepting a kiss on the cheek from her husband.

"Sorry, love, I have to get going," Tony winced apologetically. "I promise to grab something on the way."

"Your leaving?" Peter's head shot up from Tony's old engineering book he had been flicking through. Something flickered uneasily in his chest. "Where are you going?"

"I need to head to the newly constructed compound," Tony said, picking up his wallet and phone from the bench. "We have a team meeting."

"I'll grab my stuff," Peter flicked the book close.

"Whoa, slow down," Tony waved his hand. "Spider-Babies are not needed today."

"I'm not a Spider-Baby," Peter huffed.

"Right," Tony stared at him. "It's just a boring meeting, kid. Besides, you're on rest for the foreseeable future."

"All I do is rest," Peter cried, voice too loud in the kitchen. "I'm done resting. I'm rested. Over-rested."

"Pete, I'm only going to be gone for a few hours," Tony said carefully. "Most of that will be in a car."

"If Peter goes, can I?" Morgan asked.

"Nobody is going with dad," Pepper said, pulling out the cold lasagne and shutting the fridge door.

"Kid –" Tony started but Peter cut him off.

"I'm an Avenger too," Peter said hotly. "I'm not broken."

"I know you're not," Tony said.

"Then let me come!" Peter snapped.

"No," Tony said firmly.

The ache in his chest worsened and Peter felt traitorous tears well up in his eyes. He rubbed at the ache, tearing his gaze from Tony and stared at the book instead. He could feel everyone's eyes on him, and it made his skin prickle. He grabbed the book and slid off the chair.

"Fine," Peter mumbled and left the kitchen. He threw himself on the couch, hiding himself from view of the kitchen. He rubbed at his chest, the ache worsening and he sniffed back the tears that threatened to fall.

"Pep, I'm sorry, I have to go," Tony said.

"It's okay. I'll talk to him," Pepper soothed. "We'll be fine."

"I hate leaving like this," Tony said.

"I know," Pepper hummed. "Go say goodbye to him."

"Bye little miss," Tony said, and he heard Tony give his little sister a kiss. "Be good for your mum, yeah?"

"I will," Morgan said.

Peter squeezed his eyes shut as Tony approached. He didn't react to the hand that found its way into his curls or the soft kiss to his forehead that made his chest tighten.

"We'll talk later, okay kiddo?" Tony said softly.

"Just go," Peter whispered, the words cracking as he did.

Tony sighed, brushed his hand through Peter's hair one more time and then he was gone, leaving Peter feeling that maybe he was broken.

"Peter?"

Peter blinked, eyes focusing, and his jaw dropped as he took in his best friend. "Ned?"

"Oh my God, Peter," Ned breathed. He took a shaky step forward, eyes looking glassy. "What are you doing here?"

Peter blinked again, looking left and then right before turning back to Ned. "Am I in Queens?"

"You're at my house," Ned frowned. "Are you okay?"

Peter swallowed, giving a full body shiver. "I'm in Queens?" he repeated.

"Come inside the house," Ned took reached out slowly and brushed his hand against Peter's right elbow. When Peter didn't move away, he gripped it and led Peter into the house. He directed his best friend through the house and into his room.

"Peter. Are you okay?" Ned asked once they had settled themselves on Ned's bed.

"I don't know," Peter said honestly. He had no idea how he got himself to Queens and had no memory of anything after Tony had left for his meeting.

"Have you really been living with Tony Stark?" Ned asked.

"Yeah," Peter said hollowly. "At the lake house. It's nice. He has a daughter. Morgan. She's really cute."

"Dude," Ned breathed. "Is it true? What they're saying on the news?"

Peter blinked. "What are they saying on the news?"

"You haven't heard?" Ned gaped. "Dude, you're a hero! Everyone's frothing at you. They're saying that you saved us."

"I guess," Peter mumbled, picking at his sling.

"Can I see?" Ned asked.

Peter looked at his best friend and felt something warm bubble in his chest. He had missed this. Had missed Ned and the way he said what ever came to his mind.

"Yeah, dude," Peter said. He slid his arm out the sling. He hesitated with his shirt, catching eyes with Ned. "Don't freak out."

"I won't," Ned promised.

With a deep breath, Peter slowly began to peel his shirt off. He struggled, body shaking but the trembling stopped when he felt Ned's hands help him with the rest of it. He stared at his lap, feeling Ned's eyes trace over his blackened arm.

"Will it always be like that?" Ned asked, his hands twisting in his lap.

"Doctor Strange said it will heal," Peter glanced back up at Ned. "and it is. It's not as bad as it was."

"Here, don't get cold," Ned said, handing Peter's shirt back.

Peter pulled it back on and blinked as Ned offered him a hoodie to put on as well. It was too big, but the familiar scent of Ned and the cosiness of the hoodie made him wriggle into the warmth. He slipped the sling back on, tucking his hand against his chest.

"So, what happened?" Ned asked.

Peter laid back on the bed and as Ned settled beside him, he begun to tell him of the battle. The ache in chest begun to lessen as he spilled it out and by the time he had finished, he felt a little better.

"That's so messed up," Ned breathed.

"Yeah," Peter hummed.

"Hey, Peter?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you," Ned said, rolling his head to face his best friend. "For saving us. I love you, man."

"I love you too," Peter said. "Hey Ned, do you think we could build some Lego."

"Yeah, that would be fun," Ned said, already pulling himself up.

It was nice, Peter thought, to just sit with Ned and talk about Star Wars like they used to. He didn't want the moment to end, didn't want the normalcy of it all to go but Ned's phone ringing broke it.

"Hello?" Ned answered.

"Ned? It's Tony Stark," Peter heard through the phone.

"Whoa, Tony Stark," Ned breathed, staring at Peter. "You have my number?"

"Sure do. Listen, have you heard from Peter? Has he called you at all?" Tony asked and Peter could hear the panic in his voice.

"He didn't tell you?" Ned frowned. "Peter's here with me."

There was a pause, the silence thick and heavy. Peter shivered and his shoulder's hunched over.

"He's with you? In Queens?" Tony asked.

"Yeah, do you want to speak to him?" Ned asked, looking at Peter for confirmation.

Peter nodded just as Tony said, "Please."

Ned handed over the phone and Peter brought it to his ear, shrinking into the hoodie.

"Hey."

Tony let out a loud breath. "Hey Kid, are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm okay," Peter mumbled.

"Shit, kid I know you were mad, but you can't just run away like this," Tony begun to rant, the panic audibly leaking through the phone. "I know this hard, I know this whole thing sucks but you can't just up and leave –"

"Dad, I don't know how I got here," Peter cut off, voice wobbling.

"What?"

"Dad, I don't remember how I got here," Peter sniffed. "I didn't run away."

"Okay. Okay, that's- shit, okay," Tony said. "Just, stay with Ned alright. I'm coming to get you."

"Okay," Peter mumbled. "M' sorry."

"I know you are," Tony said. "Me too. I'm so sorry, kid."

"Dad," Peter whispered, voice breaking again.

"It's going to be okay," Tony promised. "I'll be there soon. Do you want to stay on the phone?"

"Yes please," Peter whispered.

"Cool. Done," Tony said. "Put me on speaker so we don't exclude Ned."

Peter did as he was told and placed the phone on the floor between him and Ned.

"DAD?" Ned mouth to Peter.

Peter blushed but nodded.

"Dude, that awesome," Ned grinned.

"What's awesome?" Tony asked.

"This Lego set we are doing," Peter answered promptly. "It's Star Wars."

"Of course, it is," Tony drawled.

It was late when Tony arrived.

After their complicated and over the top-secret handshake, Ned gave Peter a hug goodbye and waved him from the stoop and didn't stop until Peter and Tony had pulled into Queen's traffic.

Peter snuggled into the warm leather seats, now safely wrapped up in Tony's hoody that the older man had brought him, swapping it out for Ned's. The ache in his chest had dimmed into almost nothing when Tony had arrived, but now in the car the ache was beginning to build back up again.

"Is Pepper mad at me?" Peter asked, feeling as small as his voice sounded

"Worried," Tony said. "Very worried. We both are."

Peter swallowed around the thick lump in his throat. "I'm sorry."

"What's the last thing you remember?" Tony asked.

"You were leaving for that meeting," Peter said.

"Me leaving, that the last thing you remember?" Tony repeated.

"Is that bad?" Peter looked to the older man.

Tony let out a breath, finger clenching tightly on the steering wheel. "That was hours ago, buddy."

"What happened?" Peter stressed again.

"You had lunch, rather sulky I might add according to Pepper," Tony chanced a look a Peter before looking back at the road. "Afterwards while Morgan had a nap, she tried to talk to you. Said you were all fidgety and agitated and then you said you needed air and were going for a walk around the lake. You never came back."

Peter squirmed in his seat, searching his memory for any of this but was coming up blank. He rubbed his eyes, a small headache starting to bloom.

"How did I get to Ned's?" Peter asked.

"I had FRIDAY scan all the cameras in the area. Eventually she found that you got on a bus," Tony said.

Peter shivered.

Tony reached out and fiddled with the controls on the dashboard and soon enough hot air was filtering from the vents.

"I knew it was going to be a bad day," Peter mumbled, leaning his head back against the seat.

"Say that again," Tony said.

"I knew it was going to be a bad day," Peter repeated louder. "Felt all wrong."

"Wrong how?"

Peter shrugged. "Just wrong. Like my senses could figure out what was going in. Skin was all prickly and the ache in my chest."

"Like dread?" Tony asked.

"Yeah," Peter nodded. "How did you know?"

"That's anxiety kid," Tony said. "We've all been feeling that way since – since it happened."

"I want it stop," Peter whispered, knowing his sounded like a whining child be he was tired. "I'm tired of healing. I just want to be normal again. I want to be Spider-Man again."

"I know you," Tony reached across the console and took Peter's hand in his. "I really want that for you too. I hate seeing you like this, and I wish I could make this go faster for you. But we will get you there, kid. I promise, we will get you better and back to being Spider-Man. But in the meantime, do you think it would be okay if you could just focus on being a big brother and just being Peter."

Peter squeezed Tony's hand. "Yeah. I can do that."

"And next time you're having a bad day, just tell us," Tony said. "Just say it's a bad day."

"K," Peter whispered.

"I don't want to have Pepper frantically calling me that your gone again," Tony said. "I won't come home to a missing kid."

"M' sorry."

Tony's hand left his and buried in his hair instead. "I know buddy. Not your fault."

He must have fallen asleep in the car because Peter felt something under his knees and the swoop of his body being lifted, a small grunt in his ear.

"I'm getting too old to carry sleeping Spider-Babies," Tony muttered. "Not a good sign."

"M'not Spider-Baby," Peter mumbled.

"Sure thing, Spiderling," Tony adjusted his grip on Peter before the sound of the car door shut.

Peter adjusted his good arm so that it rested on Tony's shoulder, sticking the jacket that he wore. Satisfied he wouldn't fall, he nuzzled into his dad's neck and breathed in his scent. He must have dozed off again as he jolted awake again as he felt himself being laid down. He whined in the back of this throat, grip tightening on Tony's jacket.

"I'm just putting you on the couch, buddy," Tony said. "Ease up on the sticky powers."

Peter whined again but did as he said. He sunk down into the couch cushions, blinking tiredly up at Tony.

"Don't go again," Peter made to reach out for Tony's arm, but the older man evaded it.

"Just a minute," Tony hushed. "Let me grab the blanket and we can go to sleep."

"You staying?" Peter slurred.

"I'm staying kid," Tony promised.

Peter's eyes slipped close and he felt the couch jostle as Tony sat down. Sluggishly, Peter moved until he was sprawled against Tony's lap, head resting in the crook of his neck.

"Whoa, okay Spider-Octopus," Tony's breath rushed out of him as Peter slumped against his chest. He rubbed his hand up and down the younger boys back. As best he could he draped the blanket over them both, shifting until he was comfortable.

Peter fell asleep to the soothing motion of Tony's hand running up and down his back and the beat of his heart, the ache in his chest finally leaving.

Happy reading :)