A year to Remember. Part 3, The Conclusion

Avengers Atremble

A steady rhythmic beeping is the first sound made clear to him.

*Beep Beep*.

Then the shuffling and voices. Mostly whispers. May, Ned, MJ, and someone else. Finally the pain, that's what woke him up. "Mhmm". The room falls silent, letting him come to the full way before starting again.

"Peter, how are you feeling?". That's May, he recognises her voice, her face slowly coming in focus in front of him, his eyes adapting to the bright lights and white reflective walls. He flutters his eyes before replying weakly, "Hey May".

All in the room turn to him, May sat closes to him, holding his hand. Ned and MJ sat by a little further in their own chairs right beside the bed, the former fidgeting with his phone, the latter lowering her book in hand to see Peter beyond it. Last was Bruce on the other side checking over his telemetry.

He groans in pain trying to sit up, looking mighty hurt and confused, so Bruce obliges. "You got injured last Friday. We healed you, MJ helped and you've been in a coma since". It's a reminder of the shit show before, Peter's panic spiking through the heart monitor.

"Hey, Peter", May squeezes his hand, "I don't want you to worry about anything ok? We took care of it, you just need to focus on getting better". The beeping slows, slightly, Peter's focus falling back on her. He fills with guilt, face contorting with it and pain, "I'm sorry", he squeaks. She squeezes his hand again, getting his attention once more. "I know why you did what you did, Natasha told me everything, I'm not mad sweetie, just happy to see you're ok".

She wraps him in a warm hug, heart rate finally slowing back down to normal. She also pulls back smirking, "but what is this about Karen being programmed to lie to me?". Peter freezes scared, Ned wincing behind him while Bruce chuckles behind his clipboard. "Told you it was a bad idea loser", MJ steps forward, taking absolutely all the pleasure in the world from this situation, and giving as little sympathy back. Her being right wasn't something he'd like to have rubbed in his face while on a med bed. "Get over it loser", she calls out his scowl, "and don't you dare apologise". He cedes, "ok, but what actually happened?".

"Got your ass frozen, turned your shoulder and leg to cheddar, impressively bad mission". Back to scowling, Though the questions start forming, far too quickly for him, "wait! What do you mean last Friday? What day is it?!".

Ned takes over, "Its Tuesday night dude, you've been out cold for 5 days, literally". Peter's eyes bulge out shocked, "sweetie, we took care of everything, remember", May reminds. "Everything is fine, school's fine, as far as everyone knows you got lice".

While he's been avoiding it, Bruce eventually has to step up, face the music. "Peter?", he asks. There's a shared tension when their eyes meet, Peter's full of worry, Bruce's full of fear. "Dr Banner?".

The worst start Bruce could've thought of, him deflating and leaning back by the wall, "So no more Uncle Bruce huh", he sighs. Peter — who previously turned down to his lap — snaps back up to him. "You don't mind?".

He bursts out laughing, "Mind? Kid, for the last 5 days I've been scared you'd never trust us again, I was ready and happy to settle for Bruce". Peter joins in the laughter, "so... Uncle Bruce?". The doctor smiles overjoyed, "yes kid?", he replies, posture loosening. "You're not mad? They're not mad? Do they hate me?". Bruce — and an extra hand squeeze from May — shut him up, the former shaking his head. "They're like me, probably worse, worried about you and if you hate them".

Nodding, Peter relaxes, Bruce leaning in for a hug first. "And thanks kid. For everything. As Peter or Spider-Man, you always had our best interest at heart and gave us the benefit of the doubt. Even when we didn't deserve it. We're lucky to know you". Inadvertently, it makes Peter tense, "You know. They know. What- oh no", he starts to spiral. "Peter, Peter", Bruce gets him back, "I'm not angry. They're not angry. And like May said, we took care of everything". One more anxiety to let out, the beeping from the machine back to fast, "and you're not gonna tell anyone?".