a million times over again

Ch. 10

it starts to rain lightly so I decide to visit MJ. I can hear Mr.stark swearing to himself on the rooftop as I swing away. as I approach her house I see that her room is dark. I walk down her street and notice her and her family having a game night and laughing. they seem happy.

I don't know why I always get so jealous when I see ordinary happy families. it's just something I've never had before. I see MJ's moms arguing over monopoly money and laughing, I see MJ and her little brother roll their eyes at their parents like kids do.

I can't help but feel like I'm going to cry. I decide not to bother her. I turn around and find an alleyway to change into some regular clothes. I try to keep some with me on patrols just in case.

it's a very non-descript outfit. black straight-leg jeans, a Ramones shirt, and a grey zip-up hoodie. I throw my hood up and walk back to stark towers. I don't take the subway, I just walk hoping it will help me clear my head. it doesn't.

by the time I get back to the tower, it's pouring and all the employees have gone home. the front doors are locked. I have to call someone to let me in or climb up to my window. I decide to climb up to my window.

by the time I'm halfway up, I can see that my window is closed, which means someone knows I left. uh oh.

I go back to the front doors. it's almost 11:00, who would be awake? Mr.stark would. would he kick me out if he knew I snuck out? would he be mad at me? I have no other choice. I text Mr.stark "can you come open the front doors please"

within 6 minutes Mr.stark is running toward the front doors. I can't read his face. he opens the door and pulls me into a hug.

"Jesus fucking christ peter! you scared the shit out of me!" he says, squeezing me tightly. he lets go of me and holds my shoulders, checking for bruises on my face. there's one from patrol. "are you okay? what were you doing?! did you get jumped?" he seems scared.

"I'm okay, I promise, I just want to go inside," I reassure. Mr.stark nods and pulls me inside. we both get in the elevator. "are you sure you're okay kiddo? that bruise looks rough. you weren't out partying or doing drugs or anything, right?" he asks, completely seriously.

I shake my head and he says "good cause you'd be grounded for going to a party and not inviting me." he jokes. I laugh and take my hood down. "so I'm not in trouble?" I ask.

"from me? no. cap will probably give you a lecture so be warned... you worried all of us kid, especially me and bucky." he says.

the elevator doors open and bucky and Loki are both waiting by the elevator doors. bucky immediately hugs me. he doesn't say anything, just hugs me for a while. Loki joins the hug too. "we were so worried. are you alright Peter?" Loki asks.

"I'm okay, just a little bruise. I'm glad to be home," I say. bucky and Loki let me go and Mr.stark goes into the main room. loki and bucky take me into the kitchen. I sit down at the bar and put my head in my hands.

loki puts a cup of tea in front of me and bucky grabs a towel. "take off the wet hoodie kid, you'll freeze to death." he says. "what about my arm?" I ask. "what about your arm?" Loki asks. fuck.

"I um, I have some unfortunate habits, and it shows on my arms," I say, trying to tell him without actually saying it. "I see. I won't tell anyone, and I certainly won't judge. I'd rather you be warm and dry. do you want sugar in your tea?" he says, changing the subject quickly.

"What kind of tea is it?" I ask as I take off my jacket. the bandages are soaked and blood-stained. "chamomile." he says. "no sugar then please." I say. "

here, I'll be back with a blanket in a second." bucky says, wrapping the towel around my shoulders.

my jeans are damp, my shirt is still soaked, my hair is dripping, and I'm just a mess. I push my hair back so it's not dripping on my face so much, I guess that makes Loki notice the bruise.