Safe and Sound

Chapter 7

    “Peter what’s wrong with you?” Mr. Stark asks. “Wade said you hurt your head.” I step behind Wade. He looks upset. He sounds upset.

    “He said it’s just a migraine, Tony. But it seems pretty bad.” Wade whispers. He probably thinks I can’t hear them.

    “How bad?”

    “He sank down against the wall. Just the light seemed to hurt him.” Wade whispers.

    “Follow me kid,” Mr. Stark turns and leads us inside. I follow him and Wade, keeping my head down. It’s so bright. The ringing won’t stop… It hurts. Just then my stomach growls. They both glance back at me and I can feel my face turn red. I should have just stayed home. I must look so pathetic.

    It’s not that bad...

    We get into the elevator and Tony takes us to the floor where we had lunch.

    “Friday, turn the lights in the ACR to twenty percent, and set your volume to thirty percent.” Mr. Stark says.

    “Yes, Mr. Stark. Accommodations have been made.” Friday is very quiet now, and when the elevator doors open, the room is only dimly lit.

    “Go sit down, both of you. I’m gonna make breakfast.” Mr. Stark yawns, rounding the corner to the kitchen. I follow Wade to the couch, and sit on the opposite end from him. The ringing is still there, but it’s all quiet. I lay back in the soft furniture, curling up and tucking my head under my arm as the throbbing pain eases.

    “Peter, are you okay?” Wade asks. I nod. “Then why are you wearing long sleeves in ninety degree weather?” he asks. I sigh. 

    “I get cold easily. It’s generally air conditioned inside buildings.” I show him the paper. He nods but doesn’t look convinced.

    “So what happened to your head?” he asks. I shrug.

    “Okay… so how do you like working at the tower?” he asks.

    “It’s good. It’s nice to be able to work on things I enjoy without interruption.” I write. He nods, smiling.

    “Glad you like it. I help do paper work, train, straighten things up. Honestly it’s kinda my home at this point.” Wade shrugs. The smell of fresh coffee wafts into the sitting room. A few moments later, Bruce Banner walks into the room, or rather, through it, to the kitchen, mumbling about coffee and equations.

    Bruce Banner. Bruce Banner is here.

    “Peter?” Wade asks, “You okay?”

    “Was that Bruce Banner? I’m not seeing things right?” I write. He laughs.

    “Yeah, that’s him. He and Tony don’t sleep much, so he tends to come out at the smell of coffee. So does Steve. Natasha sometimes, if she’s in the mood, but Clint and her tend to drink more tea than anything.” he explains.

    This is crazy. Bruce Banner just walked right by me! All the Avengers seem to be here! And I’m curled up on the couch, head ringing and whining to myself… I feel so useless. 

No, don’t think like that. If you’re hurt, you’re hurt. And they don’t seem to mind. If what Wade said means anything it’s that this is the routine here, so it’s okay. If I was a burden I’m sure they’d let me know anyway, Tony Stark can be pretty blunt.

I can hear Mr. Stark and Mr. Banner talking in the kitchen. Mr. Stark is explaining that I have a migraine, but he didn’t plan to do much today anyways so we’d just hang out. Mr. Banner agrees to help keep the noise down, and explains that he’d also appreciate a break from the noise.

A moment later Bruce walks out of the kitchen and into the sitting room. He sits in one of the chairs to my left, sipping his coffee.

“How’s it going?” he asks quietly. “Are you feeling any better?” I nod.

“Hey kid, you want some coffee?” Mr. Stark asks, poking his head around the kitchen corner. “Wade only drinks Chai Lattes or whatever.” he rolls his eyes. I nod my head. He smirks and disappears again. Mr. Banner gives me an odd look. He looks like he’s going to ask something when a booming voice fills the room.