A Slice Of Life, Death And Everything In-Between

Headaches And Heartaches

Prompt by @captainkirkmccoy: PROMPT: Peter runs high fevers, even after the spider bite, and Tony is very very worried. 

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Peter's head felt like it was going to explode.

He sits up in bed, a small groan of agony cutting into the silence of his room. Sweat coats his skin, the back of his neck sticky as he reaches up to rub at the ache shooting up his skull.

This is the 5th one this week.

Rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, the boy wearily pushes himself out of bed and makes his way over to his door, having to stop for a few seconds when he becomes lightheaded.

Finally, with a weary sigh, Peter stumbles him way out of his room and down the hall. The pounding in his head beats in time with his steps and the spidering can barely keep from crying out.

By the time Peter makes it to the living room, the pain is so strong he can't keep his eyes open.

Squinting, the teenager thumps into the wall, a low keen of agony pushing past his lips before he can stop it. Vaguely, he is aware of Tony jumping up from the sofa and rushing towards him, but the boy is too much in pain to react.

"Peter?" Tony whispers, falling to his knees and reaching out with shaking hands to clutch at his child. "Bambino, what's wrong?"

Peter just buries his face into his father's chest, reaching up to grip the billionaire's shirt with a whine. "Head hurts."

"Again?" Letting out a coo when Peter nods, Tony gently runs his fingers through his son's curls. "Oh, buddy, I'm sorry. Let's go sit on the couch, okay?"

Leaning fully against his father, Peter lets the man practically carry him over to the living room. Laying down on the couch, Peter reaches out for Tony when he takes a step away, a whimper escaping.

"I'm just going to get you a drink, kiddo." Tony says, leaning down and pressing a quick kiss against Peter's overheated forehead. "I'll be back in just a second."

Nodding and stuffing his face into a pillow, the boy tries in vain to keep his tears from escaping as his head throbs. They soak into the fabric below him, and he presses further into the coolness.

A sudden hand on his head has Peter startling and he jerks up, blinking.

"Okay, I got you some water and pills--" Tony begins, setting the cup and white tablets on the coffee table, but pauses when he catches sight of his kid's tear stained and miserable face. "Oh, baby."

Sitting down next to Peter, the genius carefully gathers his son into his arms, smushing the boy's face against his chest and running his fingers through Peter's already messy curls. Peter whimpers, leaning into the touch and smothers himself further against Tony, scooting over so that his knees are in the man's lap.

"It hurts, Dad." He sobs. "It hurts so bad."

"I know, miele, I know and I'm so sorry. I would take all the pain away if I could, bud. Shh, shh, I'm right here, just focus on me, sweetheart, just listen to my heart. It's okay, il mio piccolo cuore, it's alright. Shh."

After a few more minutes of crying, Peter finally calms down enough to drink some water and take his pills, nearly gagging at the taste. Resting his head back against Tony's chest with a sigh, the teen nuzzles closer when he feels his father sigh.

"Try to sleep a little more, spider-baby." Tony's voice rumbles against Peter's cheek. "I'll be right here, don't worry."

Giving a nod, Peter sniffs, closing his eyes against the soft glow of the arc reactor. Wrapping his arms around his dad's waist, the spidering sighs in relief when the fire in his head starts to dim, mewling a little when Tony scratches at his scalp.

"Sleep, cucciolo." Tony whispers, pressing his lips against Peter's temple and speaking against his skin.

And Peter does, nestled in his dad's protective arms, making little kitten snores and happy that his headache is finally going away.