I'm Right Here

Chapter 3

Peter perked up instantly and tried dropping his legs from Steve's waist, but the soldier wasn't having it.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, hey, Peter! Take it easy!" Steve said, holding onto him tighter. Bucky laid a hand on Peter's and Steve's backs to steady them. He moved the one on Peter's back to his head and gently pressed it down to Steve's shoulder. "Just relax. We're almost there."

"Tony, calm down. Steve and Bucky took him to the bathroom. They'll be right back," Natasha said, her hand on Tony's shoulder.

"Why didn't you wake me up?!" Tony snapped.

"To help him pee? He's a teenager, not a toddler. And you needed the sleep." Tony grunted, but it was cut off when Steve and Bucky rounded the corner. Tony jumped up and ran to them, standing at Steve's side so he could see Peter's face. He pushed a hand through his hair and smiled.

"Hey, pal, you all right?" Tony asked sweetly, chuckling when Peter leaned into his hand when it made its way to his cheek. Peter shook his head, tears welling up in his eyes and slipping down to soak into Steve's UnderArmour. That's when Tony learned his first lesson about kids: don't ask if they're okay. Tell them they are. Oh well. You're in it now, Stark. Go big or go home, he thought to himself. He clicked his tongue in sympathy and rubbed his back as he looked up at Steve, noticing how cold he was. "He's freezing!"

"Yeah, we gotta get him warm stat. Can you straighten up your mattress over there? Bruce, you got those blankets?" Steve directed. Tony shook out the mattress and Steve settled Peter right in the middle, Bucky holding him upright by his shoulders as he sat in front of him. "Bruce said I'm the only one who can get him warm fast enough. Get his shirt and pants off."

"Body heat. Smart," Tony said, taking Bucky's place and removing the hoodie and t-shirt from the boy. Peter moaned and continued shivering violently, trying to move closer to Tony. "No, no, kid, you gotta do this. If Bruce said so, then that's what we're doing."

"C-cold, M-Mr. S-Stark," Peter gritted out. Tony rubbed his arms briskly before removing his flannel pants so he was sitting in his boxers and socks.

"I know, kid. I know. Just hang in there. Steve, he's done," Tony urged. Steve had removed his shirt and uniform pants, leaving him in only his UnderArmour pants.

"All right, lay on your side, Peter," he instructed, and Tony laid Peter down, turning him to face him. Steve laid down behind him and wrapped an arm around him, practically covering his entire chest, and slid his lower arm underneath his head. Peter pressed back against his chest and tried to curl up, but Steve wouldn't let him. "You gotta straighten up, Pete. It's the fastest way to get warm."

"Got an idea," Tony said, removing his shoes, pants, and shirt as well. "We're about to get real friendly, Rogers."

"Hurry up, Tony. I gotta get them covered," Bruce said, holding four blankets ready to throw over them. Tony laid down in front of Peter, facing him, and Bruce laid the blankets over them, tucking them around their feet, shoulders, and sides. "I'd say give it an hour before either of you can move. His body is going to soak your heat in like a sponge, so you shouldn't get too hot."

"Thanks, Doc," Tony said. He took Peter's icy hands in his and brought them up to his mouth, blowing hot air gently into them, then rubbing. "Better?"

"Yeah," Peter replied wearily. His eyes were drooping, safety and warmth consuming him.

"Get some sleep, kid. We're right here," Steve told him, holding him firmly. Tony scooted as close as he could so Peter was able to snuggle into his chest, his lower arm tucked under his own head and upper arm rubbing up and down Peter's arm that rested on top of Steve's. It took a moment of adjusting for Peter, who essentially cuddled Steve's arm against his chest, holding his hand, so he could tuck his own up against Tony's, pressing his face into the small fists he made. They waited a few minutes before speaking.

"What happened in the bathroom?" Steve looked at the back of Peter's head, not wanting to upset him. "He's out, Cap."

"He said he felt sick...and he started throwing up...d...dust." Steve was obviously affected by this, closing his eyes and steeling himself.

"Dust? What do you mean, dust?" Tony asked, slightly panicked.

"Calm down, Stark. Bruce said it was from coming back. It makes sense. He's gonna be fine," Steve replied, rubbing Peter's chest with his thumb. "He's still pretty cold."

"He'll warm up. He stopped shaking." Tony wanted so badly to stroke his hair, but didn't want to release the heat they'd generated. He settled for holding his hand. "Poor kid."

"He's been through a lot. He's exhausted. But at least he's resting now. You should, too."

"Can't. He might need me."

"And what good will be if you can't think? That's exactly why you need to sleep. He's going to need you." He looked at Tony with a smile. "He loves you."

"He's a great kid."

"You love him, too. I think that's great, Tony."

"Yeah...I do," he stated without regret. He leaned forward to kiss Peter's forehead before falling into a semi-deep sleep, where he would quickly wake if Peter needed him. Steve breathed out a chuckle and made sure the blanket was tight, holding in as much heat as possible, following Tony and Peter into slumber.

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Fire. Hot, sweltering flames. Tony looked around, panicked by the overabundance of red in his line of sight and the lack of oxygen. He had to find Peter. He could be hurt.

"Peter!" he shouted, looking in every direction. Not seeing him, he ran to the line of fire. Holding his hands up in front of his face to block the heat, he called again. "Peter, where are you?!"

Through the flames he saw and twitch of red and blue on the ground. Peter, he thought. Shaking off his nerves and squaring his shoulders, he made a daring leap through the flames, diving to the ground and rolling. I'm coming, pal.

But...there was another wall of flames. He jumped through that one. Another. And another. All the while he saw something dragging the fighting boy away. No, not something. Someone. Thanos.

"Lemme go! Get off! Mr. Stark! Help!" Peter exclaimed, doing his best to fight off the alien.

"Let him go, dick head!" he screamed. Thanos stopped walking, turned, and smiled evilly, raiding the gauntlet. Tony stopped in his tracks. He couldn't lose him, not again. With a snap of his large fingers, the fire died. Tony bolted toward them just as Thanos began dragging Peter away again by the arm.

"Mr. Stark, please! Help me!" Peter tried reaching for Tony with his free arm, but he was being pulled too quickly.

"I'm here, kid! Hang on!" He dove as fast and hard as he could, fingertips barely grasping Peter's suit by the foot. He pulled himself forward, grabbing his waist with his other hand. He heard a snap. The fire was back, engulfing himself and Peter. He held on, feeling his skin burning. "NO! Let him go!"

"A valiant effort, Mr. Stark, but he's mine now. His abilities will provide a much-needed advantage," Thanos said smoothly, continuing to drag him away.

"PETER! NO! LET HIM GO!" Tony cried, desperately trying to hang on. He had to save him. He had to--.

"Tony, let go," he heard. That wasn't Peter. He didn't call him by his first name, and his voice wasn't that deep. "Tony, you gotta let him go."

"No! Not my boy!" he said back to the voice, more determined than ever to get him back. He managed to find purchase on him and dragged himself up, still ignoring the flames surrounding them. He wrapped his arms around Peter's shoulders and chest, feeling the boy clinging to him with his arm. He dug his feet into the ground, pulling as hard as he could. He almost had him...

"Tony. Let. Go. Now."