Spider-Man Oneshots || Peter Parker

Lost

It had officially been twenty four hours since Tony had gone missing.

In the beginning, everyone had attempted to stay calm as they waited for him to return to the lake house. As time passed by however, even Morgan was able to sense that something was off. She had began to innocently ask questions about her father, and Peter has no idea how to answer them.

All of the Avengers had benched Peter from the mission in search for Tony. While he had fought to be included and even tried to sneak into the jet they were traveling in, he eventually gave in after Pepper sat him down and explained exactly why he wasn't allowed to join.

Tony cared too much about Peter for something to happen to him. If he was being held as prisoner and they somehow got their hands on Spiderman, it would be game over for them all.

A couple years ago, Peter would have complained. He would have done everything in his power to refute the claims. Now, he accepts his fate as he hands Morgan a bowl of dry Cheerios.

He had been deemed as protector of Morgan for the night (read: babysitter).

Morgan is munching on her cereal when she repeats the same question she's been asking for the last three hours. "Do you know when Daddy's going to be home?"

Peter looks down and plays with the web shooters attached to his wrists, trying to keep his voice light for Morgan's sake, "should be soon..."

The words sound disingenuous even to Peter's own ears, and Morgan seems to agree when she outwardly pouts. If the circumstances weren't so dire, Peter would have probably found it to be adorable.

He takes a shaky breath and tries to keep himself calm and collected in front of the little girl. Peter knows that if he begins to freak out then Morgan will shortly follow, and with that thought in mind he clenches his fists together to hide the fact that his hands were shaking. Then, he offers Morgan a smile that most likely comes off as more of a grimace.

"How about we watch a movie?"

Morgan visibly perks up at that, and Peter let's out a small sigh in relief.

"Can we watch Pocahontas?"

"Of course."

In response, Morgan punches the air in victory and runs to the living room. After Peter grabs candy and blankets, he puts on the movie and tells her that he's going to make popcorn.

He waits until Morgan is fully engrossed into the film, humming along to Just Around the Riverbend, before he finally breaks down and cries.

Because Peter wasn't stupid, he's lost way too many people in his life to act naive of the situation. Tony would never leave Morgan for over twenty four hours, and he would never ignore Pepper's calls and texts the way he has been. Something was definitely wrong if Tony was lost.

He was most likely dead.

Peter checks his phone for what feels like the hundredth time and is nothing but disappointed when he sees no text or update.  He wishes he was out there searching, the way he knew Tony would be if the roles were reversed. Instead, he covers his mouth with the palm of his hand and stifles back another sob.

"Why are you crying?"

Peter spins around to see Morgan staring up at him, eyebrows furrowed together in a way that looks so much like Tony that it hurts. The movie is long forgotten as the two stand alone in the kitchen, and he can no longer stop himself from crying in front of Morgan.

He bends down so he's at eye level with her, and she's quick to wrap her arms around Peter. He feels guilty for accepting the comfort so quickly, and he recognizes that if anything he should be the one consoling her. He attempts to then, but his grief makes it impossible breathe or let alone speak.

"Is it because Daddy's not home yet?" Morgan asks, and Peter finally decides to quit insulting her intelligence by pretending everything was okay.

"Yeah, I'm just really scared," he says it with a wet laugh that was way too loud to be genuine, and Morgan responds by taking her tiny hand to wipe the tears away from his cheeks. A motion that she had most likely learned from her father, though she hasn't quite mastered the gentleness and grace of it.

The thought makes Peter almost smile.

"Don't be scared, Daddy always comes back home. He's Iron Man!"

Peter wishes he could believe what Morgan was saying, though his years of being Spiderman has taught him that the good guys don't always win.

Despite his skepticism, Peter offers her a fake grin. "He is Iron Man..."

Morgan nods as if she had solved the problem just like that, and she's quick to drag him back to the couch after she grabs his hand. "Come on, we're missing the movie!"

Peter sits close to Morgan for the rest of the night and tries not to let his worry eat him alive. He plays with the hems of the blanket and wipes away any stray tears that streak his face whenever he thinks Morgan won't notice.

He can't help but feel like this was the calm before the storm, and while there was still no update as to where Tony was, he supposes that ignorance is bliss in a sense.

If Tony was already dead...

Peter bites his lip and forces himself to pay attention to the Disney movie. He lets out a wet laugh when Morgan begins to dance to Colors of the Wind, and he mimics her excitement after Pocahontas and John Smith kiss.

By the end of the film, Morgan is fast asleep and laying across Peter's lap. The small weight is familiar and comforting, and he allows himself to play with the curls on top of Morgan's head as he mechanically controls his breathing. He turns off the television and covers Morgan more security, but he doesn't dare move with the fears that he'll wake her up.

It's five in the morning and Peter has yet to fall asleep or even move from the couch, and it's only then when he gets a text from Pepper.

'Tony's alright, a little banged up but nothing we haven't seen before. He wanted to call you but he scared to wake you up if you're sleeping.'

Peter forgets that Morgan is asleep on his lap as he outright sobs in relief. He doesn't hesitate to call the number, and Tony picks up after the first ring.