Hold Onto Me 'Cause I'm a Little Unsteady

Chapter Twenty-Two

The next few days passes in a blur for Peter.

It takes up most of his energy throughout the day just to stay above water and stay focused on the world and the colours around him. It's easier to do when he's constantly surrounded by friends and family, but it's still hard.

He can barely sleep. Nightmares plague him every time he closes his eyes, but someone's always there for him when he wakes up. Sometimes it's hard for him to distinguish reality and dreams, but his family is always there to help him remember.

Eating is still a slow process.

His body had gotten so accustomed to the hunger, that he simply stopped being hungry. But now that he's home and being offered three meals a day plus as many snacks as he could ever wish for, it's impossible for him to turn it down. The hunger's back but it's hard for him to keep the food down. He almost always throws up after meals, so Bruce has him on an IV every night to make sure he gets the nutrition he needs.

Bruce promised it would get better, but it's still slow process. And it's hard not to feel guilty whenever Tony or Steve sits with him on the bathroom floor after every meal.

Tony's decided they'll put off therapy until he's back to better strength. Steve wasn't so sure with that decision, but ultimately, it was up to Peter and he doesn't think he could talk to anyone about what happened yet.

He still hasn't brought up the courage to call Ned or MJ yet. They know he's okay thanks to Harley, but he's been ignoring their texts and voicemails because he just doesn't know what he'd say to them.

The paranoia is one of the other big things that Peter's been struggling with. He's terrified that Sir will get to him again. He hasn't left the tower since he was rescued, too scared that if he did, Sir would be lurking in the shadows ready to grab him again. He can barely even convince himself to go to any other floor besides the penthouse with his family. He rarely ever leaves his dads' sides. Even bathroom trips make his hands shake with fear.

Despite living at the top of the highest skyscraper, Peter still finds himself making sure the windows are locked and the blinds are drawn as often as he can without his family really noticing. He knows Sir would never try to take him from the tower, he wouldn't even be able to make it up to the penthouse without someone noticing, it's logical. But for some reason, he can't help but worry.

Especially when the talks of Harley going back to school are brought up at the dinner table.

Peter hadn't even thought of school before then. He's missed almost the entire semester. It's the beginning of December. Winter Break would be starting it two weeks and then their exams would be at the end of January. He's missed everything. He'd have to retake all the classes.

"-don't have to," Steve's saying. "The school understands that something happened, and the family is struggling. They understand that."

"What about me?" Peter asks quietly. He's staring at his plate, awkwardly moving his mini potatoes around on the plate without eating them. "I've missed three months of school."

Tony's face falls in sympathy. "If you're feeling up to it in January, we'll get you in for second semester... But you're going to be a semester behind everyone else. Even if you were to take summer school, I doubt you'd be allowed to gain all the credits you need to graduate on time."

Peter couldn't help his shoulders drop in disappointment. He's in grade eleven. He's meant to graduate next year, but he won't be able to. He'll be held back a year.

"It's okay, kid," Steve jumps in, eyes widening when he sees the expressions crossing the teenager's face. "It's not a big deal if you're held back a year. We'll still be proud."