A/N: So, attempting to build a story out of this :) Thanks for the reviews, favs, and follows. Means a lot. The chapters will probably be fairly short, but will try to keep updates regular.

Sorry for the hyphens here and there. FanFic formatting keeps reverting my em dashes to hyphens. It's annoying, but know I tried. -_-

Just Keep Swinging (A Place Called Home)

The Nerves

"I'm glad you took the offer, Pete," Happy said as he packed the last box into the small SI truck.

Peter was beside him, looking over his meager collection of possessions with a smirk. "Yeah, me too," he really didn't have that much to pack after he talked with Tony earlier in the day. Just his clothes, gear, and some special trinkets he carried through life. "Tony didn't really give me much choice," he added with a slightly uncertain laugh.

Happy patted him on the back and nodded his head before pulling down the truck's hatch and moving to the driver's side. Once they'd settled-him driving and Peter in the passenger seat, clutching his backpack with barely restrained nerves-Happy sighed. "It's been hard for everyone since Thanos. Even before that," he started, suddenly very serious. "But Tony...he was hit real hard. It'll be good for him to have you back around."

As they drove through the crowded NYC streets, Peter absently picked at a lose thread on his pack. Why did he feel like he was 15 again? "W-what happened...after? I haven't really talked to him much...outside of funerals and stuff..." he felt bad for the heaviness in his voice, but he was too tired to fight truth anymore, especially with Happy.

Happy sighed again, heavily, and for a moment, Peter thought he wasn't going to answer. And then he did, and something in Peter wished he hadn't.

"He relives it a lot. From what Pep says, the nightmares have never really gone away, but he won't talk about it either," there was a gravel in Happy's voice that sounded a lot like grief to Peter's ears. "He...he never really came back."

Peter knew. He knew all about nightmares. He knew all about feeling like a piece of him was left behind somewhere out there in Space. "I know the feeling," he replied, voice no more than a murmur.

Happy noticed. He always noticed. He may not see the kid that often, but he knew his voice, and he knew when the kid was two steps away from shutting down. "Anyway," he cleared his throat and sat up straighter, forcing cheer into his tone. "It'll be good to have you around. Maybe you can keep Banner from blowing himself up...again."

There was a ghost of a smile pulling on Peter's lips. Happy knew everything had changed. He knew the bouncy kid he loved had been beaten down by the world and this shadowy young man was all that was left. But deep down, he saw that innocent kid still in there. They just needed to pull him out.

..

"Tony, I do not need an assistant."

"What? Of course you do. And you love the kid."

"Yeah, I do, but I also love silence. And that's rare enough with you popping in and out all the time."

Tony looked affronted, but that didn't hinder his cheeky grin for long. "You love me, honey bear," he cooed, relishing the way Bruce took off his glasses to pinch the bridge of his nose. "Anyway, it'll be good for you. And he needs it. He doesn't have anybody left."

Bruce's gaze met Tony's again and he recognized the shift instantly. The two have been working together for so long, he knew when one of Tony's endless masks slipped off. In that moment, the bouncing teenager of a man who had been rushing about grinning like a madman and reorganizing the lab, simply faded away. Left behind was nothing more than a rundown, tired old man with nothing left but a spark of hope.

Bruce took it in stride. He always did. Tony trusted him enough to let the mask drop, and that also meant trusting him enough to not to call him out on it. "It's so sad," he started, picking up an old framed photo of Tony and Peter that had been sitting on a desk. "To be so young and witnessed so much death...I have to wonder how he's fairing, really. After Thanos and his Aunt."

"His girlfriend, too."

"What?" Bruce was gutted. He'd met the girl once at a science expo years ago...he figured they just broken up. Absently, he thought maybe he should watch the news more. "When did that happen? How?"

Tony frowned deeply and took the photo from Bruce. His gaze was a thousand miles away, but there was still love there, remembering the day the happy photo was taken. "About 4 years ago. She was a hostage...he couldn't catch her in time."

"Oh god, I didn't know."

Tony shrugged and placed the photo back on the desk. Bruce wondered if it actually hurt the man to see Peter back then-before everything. "He asked me to keep it quiet when I found out. He didn't want anyone to know. He wouldn't talk about it."

"I can imagine why," sighing, Bruce felt himself deflating into the chair behind him. "Geez Tony...I'm good with researching brains, but I'm not a psychiatrist."

It was Tony's turn to roll his eyes, a little of his mask building back up on it's own. "He doesn't need you to be. Kid just needs a family. One that isn't gonna bail on him...or die easily..."

"..."

"Yeah, I know, I know. Bad joke. Just-make him feel welcome, ok? Kid's a genius anyway...he might actually help you out."

Tony flashed a trademark smile again before jumping back to work, determined to have a work space ready for Peter as soon as he arrived.

With a long-suffering sigh, Bruce smirked. Maybe the kid would help Tony out, too. Behind him, there was a crash and a curse, followed quickly by a 'I'm good!'. Bruce laughed without bothering to look. Here's to hoping.

..

Pulling into the underground garage of the Avenger's Tower was surreal for Peter. He hadn't been to this building in years, yet it still felt like home...somewhere. It also felt terrifying, but he was trying to ignore that part. He was an adult now. No need to be afraid or timid anymore. It was just a new apartment and a new job...which just happened to be working for his idol; the father-figure he'd barely talked to in almost 6 years, until today. He took a deep breath. *It's okay, don't think about it. It's fine. It's just a new job. It's fine.*

"You good, kid?" suddenly Happy's hand was on his shoulder and Peter had to choke down a start. The truck was parked and Happy's door was open. "You went all pale there."

Peter did his best to smile, but he knew Happy wasn't buying it. "I-I'm good, Hap, just...nervous for some reason."

There was a warmth in Happy's smile and the grip on his shoulder eased him. "It's okay, Pete. It's been a while, but we're all still family, right?" he waited for Peter to at least give half a nod before stepping out of the truck. As the kid followed suit, he chuckled. "A messed up, weird-ass kinda family, but still family."

Peter laughed genuinely then, running a hand through his hair as he followed the man into a private elevator.

'Good Afternoon, Happy. Peter, wonderful to see you again.'

Peter looked up at the ceiling of the elevator on instinct. "Hi, FRIDAY. Nice to uh...see you too. How are you?"

Happy shook his head. Of course the kid would ask how a computer was doing.

'Very well, thank you. Shall I take you to the lab?'

Peter exchanged a look with Happy as if to ask for permission. "Yeah, Fri. Lab, please," replied Happy.

Happy watched as the kid squared his feet and clutched the strap of his pack a little closer. "Don't worry, Pete. It'll be great."

..

'They're on their way up, boss,' FRIDAY's lilted voice echoed through the clattering in the lab.

Bruce had given up on working and chose to watch Tony buzz about instead. He was moving books, wrapping blueprints; throwing things in trash bins (which Bruce would have to look through before they were tossed...just in case). The reality was that the lab was more than big enough for three, and it wasn't particularly messy it begin with. But Tony was nervous. And nervous Tony meant manic Tony.

Bruce was thinking maybe he should write a book about the Man's unusual personality. What did Tony say he'd call his autobiography? 'A Cheap Trick and a Cheesy One Liner'? Yeah, something like that.

While Bruce was lost in his thoughts, Tony skidded to a chair and pretended to be engrossed in some paper (it was upside down) just in time for the elevator doors to swish open outside the lab. After a second, Peter popped out, followed by Happy. Bruce took a moment to take the kid in as he stood somewhat awkwardly in the hall.

He was pretty much the same, really, in height and build, at least. Still bouncing with nerves, though maybe a little less energetic. His eyes were darker, but obviously still full of life, or at least a good imitation of it. Hair and style were quite the same. He wearing jeans and a plaid shirt over (what he assumed was) a graphic t-shirt. There was a backpack thrown over one shoulder. He clenched the strap like a lifeline. If he had to guess, he'd say that everything that really mattered to the kid was in that bag.

He saw Happy say something to the kid and push him forward.

At that moment, Tony decided to pretend he'd just noticed their arrival and jumped up with a grin. "Underoos! You made it!"

Peter chuckled and met Tony's outstretched hand for a quick hug like they'd done it every day for years. "That's a name I haven't heard in a while."

"Yeah, well, get used to it, kiddo. Hap get all your stuff?"

Happy rolled his eyes. Of course he did. "Everything's in the truck. Kid's not exactly a hoarder."

Tony laughed. "Good! More room for toys. C'mon Pete! See your new work space," when Tony wrapped an arm around Peter's shoulder and walked him into the lab, Bruce thought it was almost the most natural thing in the world.

But he saw the kid's face. He saw the flickering discomfort deep in his stance; a rigidness to his smile that was hiding something...almost ominous. But right then wasn't the time. Smiling, he stood to greet Peter with a friendly handshake. "Good to have you back, Peter. You look good."

Peter returned the expression, more genuine this time, and huffed a light laugh. "I don't really, but it's good to see you, Dr. Banner."

"Please, it's Bruce, kid."

"R-right. Bruce. Sorry," his smile turned shy even as Tony released the grip on his shoulder and spread his arms out wide.

"Welcome to Stark Industries Super-Secret-Secure R&D Department!" Tony wandered around the space with pride. "You will never find a more well equipped lab for anything, anywhere."

"It's really great Tony, this-this is awesome. What're you guys working on these days?" Peter picked around beakers and computers as he talked, re-familiarizing himself with every detail. Still wrapping his brain around not dreaming.

"Well I've been working on a new type of anti-toxin for nerve gas," Bruce started, earning an 'oooo' from Peter (and an eye roll from Tony). Then added, "and Tony's...well he can't stay on one thing long enough to finish it."

"Hey! No fair!" Tony huffed indignantly. "I've developed lots of things, I'll have you know."

"And?"

Peter chuckled. He'd really missed this.

"Anyway. Mr. Parker. You get free reign here. Assist Brucey-baby, keep him from blowing up-"

"That was one time!"

"-and work on whatever tech you want."

Tony's eyes were soft. Welcoming. So different from the eyes Peter kept seeing in his dreams.

Peter was having trouble swallowing it, but he couldn't figure out why. Yeah, it'd been a long time, and a lot of things could have gone differently-better-between them, but did all that really matter now that they were both here, right now? Obviously Tony was trying, so he could, too...he'd agreed to this, after all.

He carefully dropped his pack on a nearby chair, pushed up his sleeves, and ran a hand through his unruly curls. "Well then. Let's get started!"

Tony laughed, then clapped his hands, instantly going serious. "Not yet, Spiderling."

Peter's expression fell immediately and Tony let it hang for a second before continuing. "The illustrious Mrs. Stark requests all of us for dinner tonight. And I have learned better than to disappoint her."

"Ah," the kid's smile crept back. "Well...then...ah...to dinner?"

"That's the spirit, kid!" Tony cheered, walking back to Peter and ushering him to the elevator after the kid picked up his pack again. If Tony noticed how closely the kid held it, he didn't mention it. When they'd just reached the sliding doors, Tony turned back to the lab and yelled: "Banner! You too!"

Bruce offered a placating wave. "Yeah sure Tony, I'll be up in a second."

"Suit yourself, platypus. But I'm not protecting you from my wife's wrath again!" then, quieter, "not after last time...I'll tell you all about it, kid. Woman's crazy..."

TBC