Bruised But Not Broken - Irondad/spiderson

Internship

Peter POV

After getting into the car with Aunt May, she mentioned she could grab breakfast on the way to school.

"Sorry, May," I mumble, staring out the window. "I'm already super late. I'll grab something at school."

She gives me that look but lets it go.

I fidget in my seat as the city slides past, horns blaring and people rushing to places that are not falling apart. My backpack rests at my feet. My Spider suit is still hidden inside. I miss the weight of it. I miss the air. I miss feeling like I can breathe.

May pulls up outside Midtown just as the bell rings.

"Have a good day, Petey," she calls after me. "And remember, straight to Stark Tower after school."

I wave and sprint through the front doors, sliding into class just in time. Ned and MJ are talking with their backs to the room. I drop into my seat beside Ned and throw my arms around his shoulders.

"Wha... PETER!"

He nearly jumps out of his chair before grabbing me in a tight hug.

"I missed you too, man," he says quietly.

"I'm okay," I whisper back. "And... I got the internship. Mr Stark's lab."

Ned freezes.

"What."

"Don't," I hiss.

"WHAT."

"Anything to share with the class, boys?" Mrs Dodds snaps.

"Sorry, ma'am," we say at the same time, immediately looking down at our work.

I try to focus for the rest of the lesson, but my thoughts keep drifting. To Stark Tower. To the lab. To the fact that my Spider suit is pressed against my ribs in my bag like it knows I'm ignoring it.

Lunch comes quickly.

As we sit together, I keep scanning the room.

Flash's seat is empty.

It should feel like relief. Instead, my body stays coiled tight, waiting. Waiting for a chair scrape. Waiting for laughter behind me. Waiting for something to hit me.

The whispers are everywhere.

Police. Charges. Stark Industries. Assault.

No one says his name out loud.

Homeroom arrives and passes in a strange quiet.

The seat behind me stays empty.

When the final bell rings, the hallway floods all at once. I move too fast. My foot catches on a loose backpack strap and I go down hard, my nose slamming into the floor.

Pain flashes bright.

My heart seizes.

This is it.

Then nothing happens.

No hands grab me. No familiar laughter. Just someone swearing nearby and another kid asking if I'm okay.

I scramble up, hands shaking, and duck into the bathroom. Blood drips into the sink as I rinse my face with cold water. My reflection looks pale and shaken.

He can't hurt me anymore.

Even if my body hasn't learned that yet.

I wipe my face, keep my head down, and head outside. A black SUV idles at the curb. Happy Hogan stands beside it, arms crossed. I give a small wave. He grunts and opens the door.

The drive to Stark Tower is quiet.

Inside, Emma is at the reception desk. She looks up and smiles when she sees me.

"Peter! I'm so glad you're okay," she says. "And congratulations on the internship."

"Thank you," I mumble.

She hands me a badge. Gold. Red. Heavy.

"Level Ten," she explains. "Only a few people have this. You must have really impressed Mr Stark."

My stomach flips.

FRIDAY guides me upstairs. Mr Stark is already in the lab, tinkering.

"Good to see you, kid," he says. "Ready to work?"

He dumps a pile of old tech onto the table.

"Build yourself a DUM-E. Take your time. Oh, and I asked your aunt if I could steal you for the weekend. She agreed. You in?"

I nod so fast it makes my head hurt.

Then he finally looks at me properly.

"Why is there blood on your shirt?"

"Oh," I say quickly. "Nosebleed."

He watches me for a second longer, then nods.

We work until my hands ache and my brain buzzes. Eventually, he claps his hands together.

"That's enough for today. Go clean up. Same room as before."

I sling my bag over my shoulder and head down the hall.

Tonight, I'll find time to sneak out. Swing a little. Breathe.

But for the first time in a long time, I don't feel hunted.

And I think that might matter more than anything.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A/N

I don't like making authors notes so this will me one of few, if anymore. I just wanted to express my gratitude for anyone who has actively been reading my weird AU creation I deeply appreciate it. 

Sorry this chapter was a bit uneventful, there will be a lot more stuff in the next few chapters once I finish editing them. If you have any feedback, thoughts, or ideas for my little story feel free to write your hearts out in what you want to see in this book. I know there is a lot of spiderson and irondad stuff out there that can be cringe worthy and i'm trying my best to avoid that.