spiderson oneshots

Flinched

Peter Parker hates physical contact.

It doesn't matter the person or place, he can't stand it. After growing up in an abusive household, any contact is toxic contact and needs to be avoided at all costs. He'll flinch, whimper, and sometimes lash out if touched, scaring his friends and new family.

Peter hates it. He wishes that he could just enjoy a hug with his parents or have a secret handshake with his best friends, but he just can't. He feels so bad when he flinches away from an arm around his shoulder or a hand holding his, and the look on the recipient's face just ruins his world.

-

"Hey, Peter!"

Peter snaps his head up as Ned comes to a halt in front of him, a wide grin etched across his face. The bigger boy was clearly winded from running, and small beads of sweat were noticeable on his forehead and nose.

"Um... hey?" Peter responds hesitantly; he didn't know what he was about to get in to. Ned took in a couple of deep breaths before running a hand through his limp, raven hair.

"Do you want to go and grab lunch with me and MJ? We're heading over to Carl's Junior if you want to come," he asks. Ned was basically radiating off hopefulness and need, somehow guilting Peter into agreeing.

"Sure... yeah I'll go," he finally responds. Ned's wide grin seemingly expands and he throws an arm out, latching it around Peter's shoulders without a care in the world.

Peter was not having it.

The young teenager flinched harshly forwards, causing him to stumble. He tripped over his feet, ending with him with his ass on the ground, staring up with terrified eyes at the bigger boy. Ned's eyes had widened like saucers at the aggressive flinch, making him back up a foot or two, his hands slowly raising into the air.

"I-I'm not going to hurt you, Peter. You know that, right?" he asks quietly. He didn't want to scare his friend anymore than he already had.

Peter's lips quivered as he sat glued to the ground, helpless. Guilt and regret flooded his gut, a shadowing look casting over his eyes.

"Ned, I-" he began, but he was quickly cut off.

"No, Peter. I'm sorry- I-I just forgot," Ned rushed. Peter wanted to crawl into a hole and die.

-

It was Saturday afternoon and Peter's extended family (a.k.a the Avengers) we're coming over for a late lunch/early dinner thing. He lived at the tower with his adoptive parents, Pepper and Tony, and his younger sister, Morgan. The Avengers all lived at the compound upstate, meaning they didn't see each other a whole lot.

And so here Peter was, setting the dining table with plates and utensils. Salad bowls had already been placed around the rectangular table with different dressings next to each, as well as large heated bowls of pasta radiating steam. It was Peter's favorite meal and he was ready to tuck in all ready but knew he had to wait.

"Peter! They're here!" Tony called from the kitchen. He and Morgan were finishing baking cookies for desert, something they've done since she was old enough to hold a spoon by herself. Peter sprung from his seat and dashed towards the common room where the Avengers were waiting.

"Hi guys!" he exclaimed as he skidded to a halt. Thor grinned widely at his nephew, offering a wave from where he stood (he was the only person who remembered about Peter's flinching, and the young teen was immensely grateful).

"Greetings, young son of Stark! I am absolutely doing the what you call, 'starving!'" he shouted, forgetting that he didn't need to be so loud. Peter smiled and motioned for his family to follow him into the dining room.