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Repetition is a bitch

Angst

After being the cause of a failed mission in Italy, Tony brought Peter back to New York. In order for Peter to take a break and regain himself he is stripped of his access to the Avengers Tower and his clearance is reduced to level one.

Tony leaves to be back with the rest of the Avengers in Europe, Pepper's on a business trip in Asia, and Happy left for Canada.

And if this couldn't get any better, his teacher announces a field trip to Stark Industries.

This was going to be a disaster.

OR

Peter is alone, goes on a field trip to Stark Industries, and breaks down emotionally.

———————

"Mr. Stark, if you would just let me explai-"

"Pete, everything that needed to, has already been said," Tony Stark, multi billionaire and Avenger, cut in. But Peter Parker, the eighteen-year-old high-school student, yet already an Avenger himself, didn't give him any room to breathe, "Please don't leave me here, I'll make it up to you– to all of you, I promise. I just, ehm, you know, I could-"

The man across from Peter let out an exasperated sigh, "Stop it, Underoos. You made a mistake and now you'll have to suffer the consequences. It's that simple."

"I didn't mean to, you know, ruin the mission. My mind just slipped for a second, that's all!" he tried to save face, but his mind roared and his limbs were sore, no adrenaline to keep the pain away. Brown eyes met their counterpart, shimmering more than they should have beneath the low-hanging ceiling light of Peter's bedroom. Not intentionally, as if he were to make puppy eyes, but because light tears coated the surface of his corneas.

"That's the point, kiddo. Your mind's who-knows-where. You need to take a breather, which means I am gonna put you on a mandatory time-out. No more Avengers' business for a month. I'm serious, that includes not only missions, but labtime all the same. You need a break, so no more robots, no more adjustments to your suit, none of it. Go build some Legos with that Ted guy," Mr. Stark said determinedly, sounding absolutely final in his decision.

"His name is Ned," Peter was about to clarify, yet immediately interrupted by a stern man who didn't seem to be finished, "Because everyone has to stay behind in Italy to resolve the mess you have caused, including me technically, so I will have to get to the airport shortly, I will withdraw your access from the Tower as a safety measure. Until I am back or change it myself, your clearance level is set to one, visitor pass, so that you may follow Happy or whoever else if necessary for whatever reason. And don't expect to hear from me anytime soon, the thing in Italy is a big one."

This time the teen had no words left for his mentor, barely able to maintain eye-contact while shell-shocked in place. Breathe, Peter. He thought and managed to let out a slight huff that helped cool him down, even if only barely.

Finally regaining composure, he realized that Tony was already turned the other way, about to step into his Iron Man gear. Out of desperation he pleaded, "Don't do this to me, don't leave me on my own. I thought you liked me." His breaking point had been reached and now tears made their way from Peter's eye, across his cheekbones, dropping from his chin, and finally puddling on the carpet floor.

The atmosphere changed immediately. From something akin to a father scolding his son, to something that felt more real. Still like father and son, but more broken. Their make-shift family had their ups and downs, but had always skedaddled around the topic of feelings. A fine line that ultimately had to meet its end.