The Stark Internship

Part 39

TONY

My arm aches as Shuri works on it, fixing a break that should take a month to heal. As soon as she makes the slightest admittance of being finished I'm up and out of the room.
I hear Pepper thank Shuri for me as she rushes to follow me out the room.
'Tony, you can't go looking for him like this. Send the others. Please. You're in no state.' She says, grabbing my arm and turning me round.
'Pepper. You know me. You know I have to. I...he's my responsibility. I need to...I need to know he's okay.' I say, 'I've got to make sure he's okay.'
'Please, just let someone else handle this.' She says, and I can see her concern, watch her desperation. But even she can't reach me.
'I'll be back soon.' I say, kissing her on the forehead and double tapping my watch to call my suit to me. I'm outside and hovering above ground in a second.
''FRIDAY, I need you to scan all cameras in the city. Anything that could be Peter, I want to know.' I say, looking at where the rest of the avengers have scattered in the city to look for Peter.
'Mr.Stark.' A voice comes from behind me, broken and doubtful. I turn. Peter stands on a roof ledge, a while away from me. He crouched low, a hand tentatively placed on the edge for balance.
'Hey, Pete. Hey.' I say, overly calm and careful, 'you remember me?'
'I don't remember you.' He says quickly, stepping back slightly as I try to approach. I stop and he stays where he is, 'MJ told me you were good. That you...that you were my friend.'
'I am.' I say quickly, 'Peter, I need you to trust me. I need you to forget whatever you think I did. I'd never hurt you, Pete. Never.'
He holds his fist to his head, as though my words are contradicting everything he knows. He's on his knees.
'I...I...I need to...this needs to end somehow.' He says, 'I know what I know is wrong. I can't...' He screams, claws at his hair.
'Pete, hey. Calm down. Calm down.' I say, trying to get close but he backs up.
'No. No.' He says, 'no closer.'
'Okay. Alright.' I say, staying where I am.
'She wants me to kill you.' He says, staring up at me, shaking, 'you know that. And you still look for me.'
'Course I do, Kid.' I say. I'm slow and wary with my voice, trying to keep him calm.
'But I won't. And she knew I wouldn't.' He says. He puts his forehead to his palm again. He groans a little. Pained, 'She, I...she did an ultimatum, you or me. If I couldn't...which I can't...she...I need to...Mr.Stark, I'm sorry. I'm sorry.'
Peter falls off of the side of the building, just as Clint reveals his position on a close-by tree. Clint jumps, grabs Peter and shoots an arrow to create a wire to stop him and Peter hitting the floor.
Clint must have been in contact with the rest of the group because Steve quickly wrestles Peter to the ground after he quickly escapes Clint's grasp. Peter and Steve are a fairly even match.
I join Steve in holding Peter down as he screams out. I close my eyes briefly and shake my head. Logic over emotion. I quickly take out a syringe from my suit and stab Peter, causing him to drift to a quick sleep.
Steve holds him easily. Peter falls asleep quickly, his head lulling to one side. His eyes shut and his breathing is light. He suddenly seems so, so young. Steve doesn't ask me anything, just looks at me, concerned.
Clint pats me on the back, nods to me. 'The best you can do is be there now.' He says, 'Just. God. Okay. Just be there. We'll sort this out.'
I stay silent, follow as Clint leads me behind Steve. I don't take my eyes off of Peter, terrified he'll leave again.