Chapter Text
“Oh my god, dude, please just go home,” Ned said as he took a step back, like he was trying to keep Peter’s sick germs from reaching him.
Peter scrunched his nose at the suggestion, “Ned, I can’t get sick. You know who I am.” His voice was rough with a nasally tinge from the endless coughing that had occurred mere moments before. He felt sweaty and cold at the same time and nausea was beginning to creep it’s way into his stomach, but he wasn’t about to tell Ned that. He tried to subtly clutch his stomach as if it would help.
Ned gestured towards Peter’s stomach, “I think this just proves that theory wrong.”
“I’m not sick, I swear! I’m going to Chemistry, if you were planning on joining. We have to finish that research project today.”
Ned gave Peter a pointed look before they headed towards Chemistry class.
***
Peter had just begun to doze off when he was startled into reality.
“Peter! Am I boring you?” Mr. Gise questioned.
“Wh-what! No, I’m paying attention, I swear.” He could hear Flash snickering behind him.
“Just admit you’re sick,” Ned hoarsely whispered. “Go home, for both our sakes.”
“I’m fine! Fan-hecking-tastic! Really!” Peter made a point of forcing his face into a smile to accentuate his point. Ned was not impressed with his attempt.
***
Peter had managed to keep up his very unconvincing charade until the end of Chemistry class. Apparently, almost passing out and needing to be caught by his best friend did not strengthen his healthy demeanor.
Ned shoved Peter back into his chair and sighed before talking. “That’s it, man, I’m taking you to the nurse.”
“No! You can’t! May’s out of town; they’ll have to call Mr. Stark! He’s so busy, and I can’t bother him with this!”
“Peter, your health is important. So you are going down to the nurse’s office and getting your scrawny ass into one of Mr. Stark’s expensive cars whether you like it or not!”
Peter tried to get up on his own again, but he ultimately needed Ned’s help. He nearly drifted off again while Ned led him to where he could only guess was the nurse’s office. Peter was seated on a flat, hard cot in a room that smelled too much like hand sanitizer. The smell was almost enough to make him gag, but Peter was able to hold it together. He collapsed onto the stiff fabric and tried to decipher the conversation being held next to him.
“His aunt is out of town,” Ned told someone, “you’ll have to call Tony Stark to arrange a ride for him.”
She looked at Ned with disbelief in her eyes, “I’ll just call the second emergency contact.”
The nurse left the room and Peter watched Ned come sit next to him, forgoing any means to keep his distance between himself and Peter’s sick germs. Ned stuck a hand into Peter’s curls, and he tried to contain his grimace when he felt how sweaty they were; this was something Ned often did to comfort Peter. Peter leaned into the touch, feeling his body relax. Even though his body felt like it was on fire, he felt safe and comforted.
***
Peter was drifting in and out of sleep by the time someone came to pick him up. Ned had left once the bell rang so he could catch his next class. When the nurse came to retrieve him, Peter was expecting to see Happy. Peter thought his fever was deceiving him when Tony came into his view.
“Misser Stark?” Peter slurred.
Tony smirked and started to pull Peter to his feet. “Hey, kid, want to get out of this dump?”
Peter leaned heavily on Tony’s side and nodded slowly. He shivered when they managed their way towards Tony’s car. Peter was surprised to see a small (but still expensive) SUV in front of him.
“Alright, Petey, let’s get you into the car, okay?”
Peter could barely comprehend what was being said to him, but when the door opened he obliged. Happy was sitting in the driver’s seat ahead of him. Tony slid through on the door opposite to the one Peter was just pushed through.
“You dinit haf to come all this way, I’m fine!” Peter’s voice was soft and was still slurred, probably from his raging fever.
“Pete, you look like absolute hell. Don’t try to tell me you’re okay.”
Peter clamped his mouth shut; Tony seemed angry at him. He assumed it was because Tony had to come to his school and help him home. He failed to acknowledge the fact that Tony could have had Happy take him home and that he didn’t have to come along. He stared out the window until he felt sick from the motion. Peter closed his eyes and leaned his head on the seat in front of him. He fell asleep within seconds.
***
When he woke up again, Peter was confused to see he was at the New York Stark Industries tower instead of outside his apartment.
“Where are we?” Peter’s confusion was apparent through the look on his face.
Tony clasped his shoulder. “We’re at the tower. I’m not just going to leave you home alone when you’re sick. What kind of person do you think I am?”
Peter didn’t answer and instead focussed on the thought that Tony was only doing this because it was expected of him. As soon as he could, Peter would go home so he could leave Tony alone. He stumbled out of the car door and barely made it a step before Tony was at his side again, holding him steady.
“It’s okay, Petey, I’ll help you inside. Don’t overextend yourself.”
Peter groaned as they made their way into the elevator. Happy looked as disgusted as Ned had earlier at school. When the elevator started it’s ascent, Peter’s stomach lurched.
“Misser Stark? I don feel so good.”
His comment was immediately followed by him puking up all the food he had eaten that morning. He sunk against the cool elevator wall, regretting his actions. Tony leaned down next to him and put a rough hand against Peter’s cheek.
“Aweh, Petey-pie. You’re okay,” Tony said with a small smile.
Happy looked like he might puke as well, and Peter felt even worse. Why couldn’t he just keep it in like a normal person?
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry!” He could feel the tears forming in his eyes and he pinched the outer portion of his palm to keep them at bay.
“Don’t apologize for things you can’t help. I’ll call someone to clean this up. It’s time for us to get out.”
Peter reluctantly stood up, knees shaking. He braced himself against the wall when he stepped out of the elevator and made his way onto the luxurious couch. He could probably manage to ruin it as well.
“God, you’re burning up. Are you feeling any better?” Tony had that same smile from the elevator on his face. It was probably fake though; Peter didn’t want to burden Tony anymore than he had. Tony threw a thin blanket on him before leaving the room. Good, Peter thought, he shouldn’t have helped me in the first place. He was disappointed to see Tony stroll back into the living area with a glass of water and a cloth in his hand.
“Drink this before I have to pour it down your throat.”
Peter gratefully accepted the glass and drank just enough water to make his throat better, but not make him sick. The cloth was placed on his still sweaty forehead. Peter closed his eyes and tried to fall back asleep, but he couldn’t find a comfortable position. He turned from side to side every few moments before huffing and laying on his back again.
Tony placed his hand on Peter’s shoulder again, “Peter, I know you aren’t sleeping. You have to.”
“I can’t.”
“Do you need anything? You seemed to sleep fine in the car.”
Peter shook his head and pinched his palm again under the blanket. He knew the only way he could fall asleep again is if someone was holding him, but he was not about to ask Tony to cuddle with him. He sat up slowly and Tony sat on the couch next, but not touching him.
“How bout some Brooklyn Nine Nine then? We can marathon to our hearts content!”
“It’s okay, Mr. Stark, you can go do the work you have to do. I know you’re busy.”
“I’m never too busy for you, Petey. But maybe we shouldn’t tell Pepper that I didn’t do the paperwork I was supposed to do.”
Peter knew Tony was joking, yet deep down he felt like he was just being a burden, again. He just couldn’t shake the feeling that he was bothering Tony.
Tony’s face fell and he moved closer to Peter, so their bodies were smushed together.
“I was just joking. I finished my work already.”
Peter pinched his skin harder. Tony started threading his fingers in Peter’s hair, unaware of Peter’s harmful endeavor. Peter’s eyes started drooping as he leaned into Tony.
“So you just wanted to cuddle, huh? You could’ve just told me that.”
Peter sniffed and didn’t reply. He just enjoyed this moment until he couldn’t anymore, his own thoughts stopping him from fully savouring Tony’s actions.
His previous thoughts still swirled around in his mind as he fell asleep.
You’re just bothering him, you idiot.