Safe and Sound

Chapter 26

    “Peter, you’re shivering.” Mr. Stark comments as Dr. Banner finishes wrapping my torso.

    *Can I have my shirt back?* I sign. Wade helps me slip it on over my head, and helps pull it down so it doesn’t mess up my bandages.

    “Kid, it’s not cold in here. Are you sick?” Mr. Stark asks.

    “No, I can’t thermoregulate. Comes with being part spider.” I write.

    “Oh d- crap.” he sends Mr. Rogers a sideways glance, “Hold on.” he runs down the hall, and I can hear his rather soft footsteps coming back a moment later. “Here.” I flinch when something heavy is put on me. I reach back to feel the soft fabric.

    “It’s a weighted blanket. We’ve got them all over the place.” Wade says, “They’re warm and help with anxiety.”

   

    -Time skip about three weeks-

    “Peter!” I shoot up in bed, throwing the blankets off, and covered in sweat. Another nightmare. I look around, expecting my Aunt May to be there, scolding me for waking her. “It’s okay. You’re alright now.” Mr. Stark coos. It’s only him… I’m in the tower. In my… my bedroom. With my new Star-wars posters, and my grey bedding, and the desk in the corner and such.

    “Mr. Stark…” I sigh, slouching and pulling the covers back over me. I’m shaking but I don’t know if it’s because I’m cold or my nerves are wrecked.

    “Peter?” I look up to Mr. Stark’s wide eyes, and a huge grin. “It’s been two months kid. Two months since I’ve met you, and I finally get to hear that voice of yours… about damn time.” he laughs.

    “S-sorry…” I whisper.

    “No, no, no you’re fine! I’m glad you feel more comfortable around me…” he says. “It’s about nine now. Breakfast is ready and your friends will be here soon. And the others are worried… if you wanna get dressed I’ll let them know you're okay.” he stands.

    “I was screaming again, wasn’t I?” I whisper. He nods.

    “That’s alright kid. We all get them, anymore.” 

“Mr. Tin Can,” he stops in the middle of closing the “The papers are final. You have officially adopted Peter Parker.” Friday says.

“We’ve adopted you! Legal guardian for the next six months!” He closes the door and I can hear him run down the hall. 

I stand and grab my cane, trying not to think of the new, larger burn scar that covers my shoulder, side, and back. My knee, that will never be the same. It took a week to put May and her boyfriend behind bars without me having to see them, though I still had to testify. A week of tormenting, threatening texts from May. Each number I blocked, she’d use another.

A week of Tony forcing me shopping for new clothes, a few different hoodies, bedding, shoes, posters… My room still doesn’t feel like mine, but each day it seems more like it. Nightmares at least every other night. And I can talk to Mr. Stark as of this morning, and Dr. Banner as of a couple weeks ago, when I started ranting about a science thing… I was so embarrassed.

I still flinch at everything, and I’m still getting used to things. Wade and I are dating, Mr. Stark made me a new suit for my patrols, and Ned and MJ know everything and are coming over today.

Dr. Banner has started taking notes on what I can do. I’ve been training with the others and he sits and watches, asking questions. But none of them try to make me do anything, rather they just encourage me to use all my skills when I deem necessary. A DNA and blood tests were done the first week, just to make sure everything was okay, but they’ve all been so nice…

I’m still warming up to everyone, to the new situation, but that’s okay.

I’m safe here.