Home isn't just a place

Chapter Twenty-One

Peter fumbled nervously outside the kitchen. He could hear them speaking in there---his dad and his mom laughing as Tony attempted to pry a cooking spatula from Clint's hand---and he was anxious. He wanted to apologize to Tony for what had happened, but he didn't want to do it in front of everyone. No doubt, they were aware of the fight, but he liked to think that they were oblivious for his own pride.

Peter steeled himself before he walked into the kitchen. Luckily, only Clint and Pepper were in the room. Pepper smiled at him when he entered and Peter felt a small amount of tension leave him.

"Hey sweetheart, how was your session?" Pepper asked. Peter pulled himself up so that he could sit on the counter, ignoring Clint's glare as he moved some of the cooking ingredients to make room.

"Pretty good," he said, swinging his legs back and forth. "We had a good talk. I learned some things about her. Did you know her daughter was missing?"

Pepper frowned. "I didn't," she said. "I'm so sorry. That's awful."

Peter shrugged, unsure of how to respond to that. So instead he chose to address his dad like he practiced. "I'm sorry," he said, facing Tony---who was now looking at him in shock---with a reproachful expression on his face. "About earlier. It was wrong of me to yell at you like that. I know you're struggling with everything going on, but so am I, and I lashed out. You didn't deserve that. I'm sorry."

Tony's shocked expression melted into a fond grin. He walked over and pulled Peter into a hug and Peter reciprocated gratefully. "Thanks kiddo," he said, ruffling Peter's hair. "Love ya, Pete."

Peter flushed, and though he still had trouble verbalizing his affection towards the Starks, he loved them too. "I love you too." he mumbled, hiding his face slightly.

Tony pulled away after another few seconds (Peter tried not to think about why Tony was so clingy) and grinned. "Wanna watch a movie while Pep cooks?" he asked playfully.

Clint groaned, making his presence known once again. "I was cooking tonight!" he pouted.

Tony snorted. "Not on your life, Vent-Rat."

"Sure," Peter smiled. "Can we watch Lilo and Stitch? It's one of my favorites."

Tony's expression melted and he nodded fondly. "Sure kiddo."

Peter followed Tony into the living room, and got comfortable on the couch as the comforting sounds of the movie began. It was only a few minutes later when the creeping exhaustion---the one that seemed to be everywhere now---began to pull him under.

He fell asleep right after Stitch bit the red-headed girl.

________________________________________________________

Nausea pulled him from his slumber and Peter knew instantly that he was going to throw up. He had fallen asleep curled up on his dad's chest and that's where he was when he awoke suddenly. He stood, desperate to make it to a toilet, only for a staggering wave of dizziness to overcome him. He staggered, bracing himself against the wall, before he lost the battle and expelled the contents of his stomach on the floor.

The smell of sick only caused his stomach to lurch further, but the real problem was the stabs of pain he felt in his midsection. He doubled over, clutching his stomach but received no relief. Another stab of pain in his stomach---this time it was almost debilitating---and his stomach rebelled further.

He vomited once more, but this time, there was a startling amount of red in his sick.

"Peter." the sound of his father's voice caused Peter to turn miserably. Tony looked like the air had been punched out of him, his horrified eyes not leaving the pool of blood that Peter had just finished throwing up.