A/N- Updates should be changing very soon to once a week or so, I'm so close to finishing this book and omg, I can't wait to share it. Sorry it's been taking so long, I've been so busy and stressed recently.
*Location- Parker residence*
-Third Person P.O.V-
May looked at Peter with pure hatred lighting up her eyes. Every step she took closer to Peter made him back up even more and his heart rate increase ten-fold.
"Were you ever going to tell me," May spits out, looking at Peter in disgust.
Peter hates this. He hates it so much, because he knows there was nothing he had to tell- excluding the part of him being Spider-Man of course- so therefore, there was no way of avoiding this. It was all a hoax after all, a cover up to ensure Mr Stark was able to talk to Peter and have him around.
But Peter couldn't say any of this, if he did, he wouldn't ever see the light of day again. Although at this rate, he fears even now it might be the last time he takes a breath of air with how angry May was.
Peter stumbles back as May grows closer and closer to him, "answer," she screams at him, making Peter flinch back, instinctively bringing his arms up to cover his face.
"I- I didn't think I would get it, so I- I never said anything. Please I'm- I'm sorry," Peter stutters out, hoping it would be enough to calm her down slightly, although Peter knew, no matter what he said, nothing would change the outcome of this.
May scoffs and shakes her head, eyes narrowing in sheer anger.
Peter stumbles back even more, until his back hit the wall, no longer allowing him to move back and away from May.
With every step she took closer to Peter, she would speak her venomous mind. "Let me show you Peter, what happens when you don't say something like this to me. Having that- that man in this house is bad for us. What if he had noticed something was off Peter. Do you know what might have happened if he found out."
She stopped right in front of Peter, one of her manicured hands resting lightly on Peter cheek- to anyone else, this might be seen as a motherly thing to happen, but Peter knew this was in fact the complete opposite.
Carefully (too carefully for Peters liking) she ran her hand down Peters cheek while saying, "you would be taken away from me," she removes her hand from Peters cheek, still keeping close to his face as she whispers in his ear, "and we wouldn't want that would we."
Even with Peters 'spider sense,' he wouldn't have had time to stop her with how quick she moved. As soon as the words fell from her lips, she moved back and slapped him in the face with enough force to snap his head back.
The sting in his cheek was intense, and yet he knew it would be nothing for what was about to happen.
Peter wasn't religious, and yet, in this very moment, he prayed to any God, or Deity out there that this wouldn't happen.
However, his prayers weren't answered in time as he felt a harsh kick fall against his side, making him drop the floor as he gasped for breath. As soon as he hit the floor, May took it as a way in and begun to rain down a fall of punches and kicks, words of wrath, animosity and malevolence poured from her mouth.
'I will always hate you.'
'You're the reason Ben died.'
'I wish you were the one who died, not your parents.'
'You should have never been born.'
'Worthless.'
'Stupid.'
'Bitch.'
'Useless.'
The words continued to spew from Mays lips, and yet, as May continued, Peter couldn't find it in himself to hear her anymore. All he could hear was a constant ring in his ears, his eyes blurred with tears and darkness and the pain was distant and unloving.
He allows his eyes to close, hoping when he wakes up, May would be gone and hopefully, the pain wouldn't be so bad.
-
*Location- Stark Tower*
- Third Person P.O.V-
After Tony got back from seeing Peter, he sat in his lab, thinking about what had happened while at Peter's house. Something about the entire thing put Tony on edge.
Although sometimes Tony wasn't the most observant, he's began to pay more and more attention to people because of him being Iron Man. He noticed, albeit small, that sometimes Peter would flinch, whether it be Tony having moved too quickly, or he spoke a little louder. Even in the small amount of time they spent together, Tony noticed it.
Tony didn't even think that Peter knew he did it. Whenever Peter would react like that, he wouldn't make an outright sign of knowing he had done that.
Part of Tony worried, but after he thought about it a little more, he decided it wasn't anything too wrong. Or at least something that he could actually stop. Tony chalked it up to Peter being Spider-Man and the fact he has to fight many criminals, and now it's just a reaction.
He shook his head of all the thoughts and instead looked around his lab. Even for him it was a mess. Sure, he might have been drinking less, but that didn't mean he wasn't in the lab, normally for a while when he began to work on something new. It meant there wasn't much time for him to clean, and honestly, he doubted he would be bothered anyway.
However, with the ever rising tide of the kid possibly working in here, he knew it needed to be cleaned up before he got here, otherwise the chances of Peter getting hurt were very high.
Tony sighed and dragged a hand down his tired face. He was shocked at himself for even thinking Peter would work in here, sure, he might be good, but that doesn't mean he wants someone else in his lab. His lab has always felt like his face place, a place where he can go when he doesn't want anyone around him and he wants to have his own time.
The whole experience felt odd to Tony, normally, straight away he would have a dislike for someone- it really wasn't his fault, too many people had stabbed him in the back to like many people anymore-, but something about Peter made Tony feel as though he could trust him. It's a feeling you get when you're a parent, and you see your kid in trouble, the feeling of protectiveness that overwhelms them.
But Tony didn't have any reason to feel like that, Hell, he doesn't even know the kid. However, that didn't stop him from feeling something parental when he saw the look on his face when he looked at him Aunt, or when he would flinch back.
Tony shock his head in anger. No. No. There was absolutely nothing wrong, Peter was fine where he was. And even if there was an issue, there are police everywhere that can help, and someone who would surely help and do something for him. The only thing Tony is going to be doing with the kid is making sure he doesn't die while being Spider-man, that's it.
"FRI, pull up the specs for the new Spider-Man suit," Tony mumbled, pulling himself fully from his thoughts and looking to the half complete spider suit.
'Of course Boss,' FRIDAY replied before doing as instructed.
-
*Location- Parker residence*
-Third Person P.O.V-
Consciousness came in waves for Peter, it ebbed and flowed back and forth, only allowing him to feel the pain around him, then the floor beneath him before he was pulled back under. This continued for a while, the constant drag and pull of darkness.
One time when he became aware, all he could smell was the sharp sent of copper that stung his nose and lay heavy in the air.
Another time he could hear someone muttering, even in his semi-unconscious state, he knew whoever it was, wasn't someone he liked, nor trusted and he could fell the fear trickle into his body like a leaky faucet. Thankfully, before the fear could paralyse his body, he felt the darkness consume him and just before he was gone again, he heard a door slam heavily.
The final time he 'woke up,' he could taste the overbearing feel of blood sat idly in his mouth. If he had been more conscious, he might have worried about choking on it, considering he was laying on his back with no way of getting the blood from his mouth. Nevertheless he was still not coherent enough to be able to know to do that.
Finally, the waves calmed and Peter was able to drag his eyes open; even with the room being dark, he still needed to squint as he took in all the blurry objects around him. It took him a moment to realise what had happened and where he was.
As soon as he remembered however, he shot up from where he was laying, dread pulsating through his body. Immediately, pain racked his body and he noted silently, it probably wasn't the best idea to do that, he also remembered hearing May leave.
Once the thought had resonated for a while he was able to panic he had felt and instead, take note of all the injuries he felt.
Checking his ribs, he knew that at least three of them were broken, the bruising around them was extensive and he knew it would be a while before they were completely healed. He couldn't see his back, but from the little movement he had made so far, he knew it was more than likely, the same, if not worse bruising then on his stomach.
Shakily, he brough a hand up to the side of his head that hurt the most. As soon as his hand came in contact with his head, he winced in pain and pulled his hand away. Glancing down, he saw red coating his hand and he held back a groan, that hurt a lot.
He couldn't see his face, but he knew he had a bloody nose, and he hated to see what he looked at. More than likely a black eye was forming and cuts and bruises were already on his face.
Focusing on his bare arms, he could see the bruises already resting on his skin and knew it was a similar story for his legs. God, why did this always have to happen to him. In fact, why had this hap-
Tony Stark.
The Tony Stark had been at his house.
And on top of that, he had known Peter was Spider-Man (which only Bucky knew about and he had wanted to keep it that way for as long as he could). He had then gone on to ask- more like tell- Peter that he now had to go to Mr Stark for help with his patrol and train there. Don't get him wrong, he doesn't mind, in fact, his quiet excited. But, that doesn't cancel out the fact Mr Stark came here, lied to May and ended up getting Peter into a lot more trouble then he had wanted.
Peter really hoped the bruises would have faded a little by tomorrow, seeing as he was meant to go see Mr Stark tomorrow. Speaking off, that will now take up a lot of his time now, sure most of it would still be patrolling but it still would; normally he would go see Bucky.
Bucky.
He has to go tell him. There's no way Peter is doing the same thing he had done before. And he really wanted to see Bucky and spend time with him. Peter knew if he wanted to tell Bucky he would need to tell him now, he just hoped Bucky would be around, he knew if he wasn't though he would stay there overnight. In fact, even if Bucky is there, he doesn't plan on coming back here, too worried something might happen in the morning.
With those thoughts set in stone, he staggered to his feet very nearly falling as soon as his feet took his weight. Once he was stable, he wrapped a tentative arm around his chest in order to stop the pain. He knew before he left he would need to sort himself out, he refused to keep going for Bucky for help, and he really didn't want his brot- friend, his friend to worry about him more.
Slowly but surely he made his way to his bathroom, wanting to get cleaned up and have his stuff ready to go as soon as he could. It was already 10pm and Peter really wasn't sure if Bucky would be there much longer.
-
*Location- Bucky's hideout*
-Third Person P.O.V-
It was currently 10:42pm, and normally, Bucky would have made his way back to the warehouse. But tonight, he wanted to stay a little longer and have a bit more time alone. Plus, he really didn't want to go back and hear things about them trying to find Spider-Man when he knew exactly who he actually was.
Bucky sighed and looked around the room, he hated to admit that he already missed seeing Peter. He was also getting more and more worried for the kid, it seemed no matter the time Bucky would see Peter, he would be hurt. He didn't want to ask him, and he hated to think about it more, but he really didn't think it was all from patrol where he would get hurt.
However, he knew no matter what he said, or asked, Peter wouldn't tell him. He knew it was probably bullies causing most of the issues, but something about the bullies always hurting him just didn't sit right with him.
Shaking his head lightly, he stood up and grabbed his coat, intending to head back and get back before the others began to wonder where he was. He paused though, as he heard something from outside that reminded him heavily of what happened earlier, it put him slightly on edge in fear something might be wrong with Peter.
He stayed where he was stood and waited, he didn't want to alert whoever it was that they could come in here in case it was some random person and he knew it would be a bad idea to go and see if it was Peter in case it really wasn't him.
The door opened carefully and Bucky kept his eyes glued to the door, seeing if it was the person he thought it might be.
As soon as he saw who it was, he felt his heart shatter at the sight. He thought Peter looked bad earlier, but he looked even worse now then he did then. Bucky knew, he knew it wasn't from bullies, how could it when he left after school and it was still the same night. And although it could have been something on patrol, he doubted it would be, Peter had said he needed to get home so he wouldn't have had time to patrol before then.
Surely it wouldn't though. No. No way was it from home, it couldn't-
"Hi Bucky," Peter whispered, a hand still clutching his side to keep it as still as possible. He allowed a small amount of relief seep into his voice to show how grateful he was Bucky was here and he was more than grateful that he was here.
Bucky smiled- albeit forcefully- and said, "hey Pete, what happened?"
Bucky could tell Peter had tried to patch himself up before he came here, however, it wasn't the best thing he had seen and he knew he would need to do it again to make sure nothing too serious had happened and nothing will happen.
Peter knew he would have to lie, as much as he hated to do so, he knew he had to. He couldn't blame it on bullies, he hadn't been back to school after all, so there was only one way he could get away with it.
"Patrol, I got home then left once my aunt went out," Peter explained, secretly thanked the fact he had had to lie nearly his whole life, meaning he was able to do it easily- even though he hated it more and more each time he had to.
Bucky hummed, still not completely believing it but deciding not to push him to say the truth. "Come sit, I want to make sure there isn't anything too serious," Bucky spoke, making an indication to where he should sit- even if Peter knew exactly where to go.
Peter nodded silently and moved to sit in his normal spot. He spotted his blanket- it wasn't really his, but he quickly claimed it as his own, and Bucky wouldn't steal it from him (at least while he was here that is)- and wrapped it around himself a little.
Bucky came back and began to clean up the cuts on his face. Before he could say anything, Peter began to speak.
"Um Bucky, can I talk to you about something?" Peter hesitantly.
Bucky nodded and sent a warm smile to Peter, Peter couldn't help but think Bucky was the only person he could really find peace being around. Of course, there was Ned, but he was always with him at school, and that was where Flash was meaning, he was even a little on edge, even if he didn't want to be.
"Of course you can Pete, you can tell me anything," Bucky replied, knowing it was hard for Peter to trust people and talk to them.
Peter nodded gratefully before saying what he needed. "Well, I won't be able to come here after school now. I'm sorry, I know we only agreed on it today but something came up now. But I can still come at like 8 and then stay there for however long," Peter explained, really hoping Bucky won't be angry at him.
In his mind, Bucky wondered what it was that came up and made it so Peter couldn't come here. But he didn't ask, seeing as Peter didn't say and he might not want to. He wasn't angry at Peter in the slightest, he was just grateful Peter had told him.
"That's alright Pete, just as long as you're safe," Bucky replied, smiling once more at Peter.
Peter couldn't help but being shocked. Bucky was portrayed as by the media as someone who wouldn't smile, or show any type of emotion, let alone one so kind. He was always smiling at Peter and treating him as though he was his brother, he would never say that though.
"Are you sure?" Peter asked, tilting his head and wincing slightly when Bucky touched a sensitive cut on his face. Bucky was quick to pull away a little and mumble a small apology before looking at Peter.
"Of course I'm sure Peter, I'm just glad you came and told me," Bucky said.
-
Bucky had just finished sorting out all of Peter injuries when the clock hit 11:02PM.
"Alright kid, I guess you better get home before your aunt gets worried," Bucky said, sending Peter a small smile.
Peter hesitated, wondering if he should really say this. But then his mind flashed with memories of what had happened earlier that night and he quickly stuck to what he had planned to do. "Um, well I was actually thinking of staying here tonight, I don't really want to go home tonight," Peter replied hesitantly.
"Everything okay Pete?" Bucky asked, wanting to make sure it wasn't something more.
Peter nodded and said, "yeah, I'm just not really down to go back now."
Bucky hummed and replied, "alright, I'll stay with you tonight."
Peter was quick to shake his head, "you don't have to if you don't want to Bucky."
Bucky shook his head however and stood up stretching before he spoke again. "It's okay really, I don't want you to be alone here and it's not a big deal anyway. You can take the sofa and I can put a sleeping bag on the floor. I'll try to find a couple mattresses so you can stay here more often and it'll be comfier, and then I can stay as well if needed."
Peter knew there was no point in arguing. As much as he wanted Bucky to take the sofa, his whole body ached and he knew there would be no way of making him change his mind. So, instead he sent him a smile and nodded.
"Alright kid, I just need to go let the others know, but I'll be back soon okay, don't stay awake if you don't want to," Bucky voiced, before walking out the door.
He watched as Bucky walked out the door, locking it behind him and carefully moved to lay on the sofa his blanket wrapped around him. He was grateful for the heater that was in here and the power that they had- don't ask Peter, Bucky somehow found it and worked it all out- as the heat was making him feel a little happier.
As he let his mind wander, he couldn't help but think about tomorrow. What if something happened. Sure, Bucky was really kind to him, but he was the only one so far. What if Mr Stark and the other people are like May, what if all they want to do is hurt him.
Peter knew, tomorrow he would have to be careful, there was no way he was going to fall back into a routine of being hurt.
He shook his head and shut his eyes, anxious for tomorrow, but too tired to panic about it now.
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A/N- Thoughts???
3.6k words
- Bear xx