What lies behind a smile

10

                            Tony

"Mr.Stark you asked me to come to visit," Lilly says looking around. Nat Steve and Bruce are the only ones in here.

"Yes I um I wanted to talk about Peter."Lilly nods "Last night I gave Peter some time to be alone... and within that time frame Peter tried to take his life."I watched as her face fell.

"Oh. Is he-"

"No, I have an AI that alerts me if anyone is injured or something happens he in our hospital upstairs. Bruce has been taking care of his medical needs."She looks at me.

"Has he woken up?"

"Yes he wasn't very happy but I talked with him yesterday. I'm gonna help him but I've never had to deal with this so I need to know how to help without upsetting him. Like treatments. His doctor said something about a mental hospital."She nods. I don't want Peter to feel like I'm abandoning him but I know if he spends some time there with professionals it'll be better at least for the first few weeks.
"And I feel that would be a very good choice. Look I know you wanna help him but mental hospitals they are meant for kids like peter. They won't force him into anything he just has to be present and when he's ready he can engage. And you're allowed to visit him."I nod

"So you think I should?"I ask

" You are usually required to send him after a failed attempt. I also think that's a good choice under peters circumstances. Have you talked to him about this?"I shake my head "I needed a second opinion."She nods.

We talk about this for about an hour and call a few hospitals I find one about 30 minutes away.

"Okay so if that's all Mr.Stark I'll get leaving. Keep me updated."

"Will do."I sighed and looked to steve and Nat.

"You think this is the right thing to do?"

"Look Tony we're not qualified to properly get peter through this. We don't know what behavior to look out for and you know him going to a place with kids like him might help."I nod looking to steve.

"I just don't want him to feel like I'm leaving him because I don't wanna deal with it."

"He will understand maybe not at the moment but eventually he'll understand."

"So...what's the deal with Pepper?"Nat asked. I shake my head not wanting to deal with that.

"She went to go visit her sister I'm just going to leave her alone right now, I just need to think of Peter. I can't handle anything else right now."
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I watch as Peter builds with his legos, star-wars plays in the back. He's healing slower than normal but he's now back in a room. His eyes focus on the LEGOS putting together the parts. He's quick with it it's barely been an hour and he's already almost done.
I can't help but stare at the bandage over his wrist.

"Pete, can we talk?"I ask he turns his attention to me. I pause the tv.

"So I was uh looking into treatments for you. Well, I and your caseworker think it would be a good idea to put you into a mental hospital."His face scrunches up and I search for anything. I can see the hurt and anger in his face.
"And I'm not abounding you Peter but you need help, professional help and a mental hospital might help you find your footing a little quicker-"

"I don't wanna go."He says "I'm not going to a fucking mental institution where they send all the crazy people!"Peter says "I don't wanna go." He says trying to dismiss the conversation.

"Well Peter I'm sorry to say but your gonna have to now if you go involuntary and they won't hold you as long or I can check you in and involuntary and it'll be a lot worse."He stares at me anger in his eyes.
"It's gonna be like a week and a half maybe two if you go voluntarily. And your caseworker said three the least if you make it difficult. I'll go visit you every day." Those brown eyes are making me feel guilty.

"Do I have to w-why can't I stay with you?"His voice cracks and I wanna take it back tell him never mind but I can't. This is what he needs and I officially don't have a choice it's already been reported. I

"I'm sorry Peter but I have to, you need it and I'm pretty sure I can get in trouble if I don't send you now."

"So like what voluntary?"

"It means your agreeing to go which is better than involuntary because then your gonna be under 24-hour watch. I cant visit you and whole a lot of other stupid rules." He takes a frustrated breath and nods.

"Fine," He says angrily

"This is just so you can get back to normal-"

"There is no going back, Mr.Stark! I'm not that same anymore." I watch as he gets up and walks to his room. He turns to close the door but lets out a frustrated noise seeing he has no door anymore.

His words were like a slap in the face. I'm not the same kid anymore, I wonder if i ever met that kid.

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Word count 906
Date 1/31/22

I'm so excited for uncharted only 18 more days! It honestly looks really cool and I'm so excited to see Tom doing some awesome new stunts.
Ahhh and also I'm living for the  Andrew Garfield returning for Spider-man rumors.