Throwing Caution to the Wind

Chapter 24

<p>He woke up to the gentle beeping of the heart monitor. His eyes were still closed and he was debating whether or not it was worth it to open them when he realized there was something covering the lower half of his face.</p>

<p>Still keeping his eyes closed he blindly lifted his arms up to find whatever it was and get it off. His hands felt stiff, like he was wearing fingered oven mitts making it difficulties to use his fingers for much. His arms were heavy as if there was an elastic band going form his wrist to the bed making it hard to move them properly.</p>

<p>He vaguely heard some gentle thumps coming from somewhere, but he was too focused on getting whatever it was on his face, off, to really notice it.</p>

<p>"Hey hey hey Pete, leave that on ok" came a gentle voice. Peter definitely knew who it was, but couldn't be bothered to remember right now.</p>

<p>He heard the owner of the voice put something down and gently grab his wrists. There's was some shuffling and one of his wrists were let go, but the other one was sandwiched by 2 palms.</p>

<p>"Pete, could you open your eyes for me" the voice asked gently. </p>

<p>Peter took a minute trying to remember who was taking to him, but he figured that seeing the person would be the most helpful.</p>

<p>He relaxed all his muscles and focused his energy soley on his eyelids. When he cracked them open the first time, he immediately screwed them shut. The lights burned his pupils.</p>

<p>Apparently the voice noticed because he heard him ask Friday to turn the lights down to 30 percent.</p>

<p>Something about that rung a bell. "Friday, Friday.... that's it" Peter thought.</p>

<p>"M'r St'rk?" he mumbled.</p>

<p>"Yeah that's be bud, no more talking though ok, you still need a bit more oxygen and you talking isn't helping the cause" he told him gently running one of his thumbs over Peter's knuckles.</p>

<p>"Wh't t'me 's it' he slurred out.</p>

<p>"8 in the morning kid, you took quite the power nap there.</p>

<p>Peter tried again to open his eyes. This time, the lights were lower and didn't burn. But it was still hard. His eyes felt like there was just the thinnest layer of glue on his waterlines. He got them open once, twice, and while he still had momentum, he blinked his eyes quickly, or at least as quickly as he could, to get them awake.</p>

<p>Once he was able to keep his eyes open, he tilted his head to look at Mr Stark.</p>

<p>"Hey" he whispered.</p>

<p>"Hey yourself said Mr Stark with a small smile.</p>

<p>"Although I remember specifically telling you to not talk, did I not" he said with a playfully authoritative tone.</p>

<p>"Sorry" he said quietly.</p>

<p>"Just don't say anything else and I won't tell the doc" he said ruffling his hair.</p>

<p>Peter rolled his eyes but decided that a vow of silence sounded good right about now.</p>

<p>"Speak of the devil" Mr Stark said a few minutes later, "Big Green, how's it been going for you" he exclaimed as soon as he saw Dr Banner walk into the room.</p>

<p>Peter shot him a confirmation look.</p>

<p>Mr Stark evidently noticed and quickly explained.</p>