Tickle stories - Marvel (One Shots)

He needs a distraction (Peter)

Peter was a good kid who had been through too much, and maybe that was why Tony was so inclined to look out for him. He was just like Tony, but Tony wouldn’t let this kid grow up feeling neglected like he did. So when Peter started visiting the avengers tower more and more, and seemed to be more stressed and upset with each visit, he knew he had to do something. So, he did. 

While Peter was at school, Tony called all the Avengers for a meeting. 

“What’s up Tony?” Steve asked as they all made their way into the central living area of the tower. 

“I’ve been watching Peter lately and I’ve realized that he’s been a bit down. Stressed and upset, I guess. I don’t know what it is. I just, want to fix it. Make him feel better, you know?” 

“Tony, I don’t think any of us have noticed it, and maybe it’s because we don’t know him as well as you do, but maybe we should try to see it first too? Make sure you’re not just being overprotective dad?” Nat smirked at him as his face flushed. 

“I’m not his dad! I just want the kid to know he’s cared for, okay? He’ll be home soon, so you can see it. I’m gonna go start dinner so he has something to eat.” The Avengers all shook their heads as Tony headed to the kitchen. They heard the elevator ding as it stopped on their floor, and their favorite swinging superhero came out with a backpack loaded with books over his back. 

“Hey Peter. How was school?” He shrugged, not making eye contact, and then there was a ripping sound and his backpack was on the floor. He crouched down with a hiss of pain, and Bruce got up and ran over to him. 

“Peter, what’s wrong?” 

“Nothing. I have a lot of homework and I still have to patrol tonight, that’s all. I’ll see you guys….well, sometime.” Peter huffed as he picked up his bookbag, and then he headed to his room. Bruce looked back at all the Avengers and let out a small, sad breath. 

“That poor kid.” The Avengers nodded and all headed into the kitchen, where Tony was standing over the stove sauteeing something in a pan.

“So, yeah. Kid’s stressed, and upset. What do we do?” Tony moved the pan off of the burner and turned to them. 

“Well,” a devious smile spread across his face “His Aunt May used to tickle him to cheer him up and destress him when he was younger, and he still happens to be pretty ticklish. I think we just show him a little extra love and affection, kind of pull him out of this funk.” The Avengers looked at him like he had grown a second head.

“How do you know these things?” 

“Hanging out with the kid so much, I’m bound to learn a few things. This happens to be one of them.” They all nodded, and then started to plot. Bruce decided he would go up and try to help Peter with his homework, and maybe throw in a few pokes here and there. He knocked on the door and let himself in, only to see Peter face down on his bed surrounded by astrophysics books and other science stuff. He placed a hand down on his back, near his side and lightly rubbed his fingers there. Peter flinched and looked up to see Bruce. He smiled down at Peter and sat down next to him in one of the very few spaces where there weren’t books. 

“What can I help with kid?” Peter smiled, and together they got through all of Peter’s homework, and then he had to go out to patrol. He headed downstairs in his suit, when Tony stopped him. 

“You can take a break tonight Peter. We’ll hear anything that goes on. So just sit down and enjoy some dinner. I made one of your favorites, chicken bacon mac’n’cheese.” Peter shrugged and started to protest, when Natasha came up behind him and squeezed his side. 

“C’mon kid. You gotta eat.” Peter resigned himself to staying in that night, went upstairs to change out of his suit, and then had dinner with his teammates. He noticed that everyone was being more touchy-feely with him. The pokes from Bruce, the squeeze from Natasha, and even more light tickles during dinner. Everyone seemed to be joking and laughing more, trying to get him involved. He went to bed feeling a little confused, but also a little happier. 

Things continued that way for the next couple of days, until finally, he just had to ask what was going on, and there was only one person to ask about that. Mr. Stark. He headed down to the lab and slid into the room. 

“So…Mr. Stark, what’s going on with the team?” Tony wiped his hands off with his rag and through it onto one of his work benches. 

“What do you mean Peter?” 

“Well, they’ve been kinda touchy-feely and joking around a lot more. What did you tell them?” Tony smiled, sat down, and motioned for Peter to do the same. 

“We all noticed that you’ve been more stressed out and upset lately. We just wanted to help you feel better.” Peter’s eyes teared up a little at that. He had never had a father figure to care about him like this before, and the fact that it was Tony Stark, just made him even more grateful. He hugged Mr. Stark and felt his arms go around him, maybe a little tighter than usual. 

“Mr. Stark? What are you doing?” 

“I think I’ve got to get my share of spider cheer ups in. Ready to laugh kid?” Tony smirked. Peter tried to struggle his way out of Tony’s arms, but it was no use. Tony dug into his sides and stomach and drew bright, loud laughter out of the kid. Peter couldn’t even get his eyes open from how big his smile was, and he started having trouble breathing, as Tony lowered him onto the floor instead of holding him on the workbench. As Peter’s face started to become the same red as his suit, Tony let up. Peter caught his breath, and then wrapped Tony in a bear hug. He could feel his eyes starting to shut, tired from all of the tickling he endured from Tony. 

“So what was stressing you out?” 

“I…I guess I just didn’t feel like I was doing anything right. Like I didn’t belong here with all of you because I’m still so young. You run an entire company and are a hero, and help all the other Avengers, and I can barely handle school and being Spiderman.” 

“I get it Peter. I do. But don’t worry, you’ll always have a home here.” Tony smiled.

He felt Peter start to fall asleep against him. 

“Welcome home, Peter.”

“Thanks Dad.” He whispered out as he fell asleep against Tony. Tony took in a small breath, and smiled as he pulled Peter tight against him.