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“I can’t believe you were on the plane dude, not in it, on it! And the explosions everywhere are you kidding me, it was all over the news when I finally got out of the principal’s office, like-“
Peter zoned out of Ned’s commentary, although he was rambling it wasn’t unwelcome, he just wasn’t in the right mindset to pay attention. He hissed when Ned ran the alcohol soaked rag he was using to help clean Peter up over a particularly tender cut though.
“And I was so- oh shit man sorry does that hurt?” Peter shook his head despite it clearly being a lie.
“Nah it’s fine I think that just means it’s healing. Thanks for patching me up though, really you’ve done so much tonight.” Peter wrapped his arms around himself, he was shirtless so Ned had access to the worst of his injuries and couldn’t help but shivering, despite that it wasn’t that cold in his friend’s bedroom. But now Ned was disagreeing with what was said.
“Compared to you I just pushed some buttons and got in trouble at school, Peter you on stopped a supervillain! On your own! It’s the least I can do for Spider-Man.” He grinned at him while he finished bandaging the last of Peter’s obvious wounds. “I still can’t believe you’re a freaking super hero.”
Peter smiled back, Ned’s enthusiasm was contagious but it wasn’t enough to soften the edges of the night that were just starting to sink in to the cracks of his psyche. “Let’s just agree that we’re both awesome okay?” Ned nodded and Peter shivered some more. “Um, I’m gonna need to borrow some clothes too I guess, sorry.” Peter looked down mournfully at the ground where the tattered remains of his suit lay. It was the first one he ever made and it was just starting to kick in that he wouldn’t be able to fix it.
Ned replied with a quick “Of course!” and was off to his closet to pick something out, leaving Peter briefly alone with his thoughts. Now that the adrenaline was wearing off, exhaustion and comprehension were kicking in and he wasn’t mentally ready for either quite yet. He’d told May he and Ned were having an impromptu sleepover after the dance which was technically true, and he was glad not be on his own after the night he had. Ned returned with some sweats and one of his softest hoodies, one that Peter coveted and tried to steal on several occasions. “Here, you look like, super cold. Are you sure you’re okay? External and internal bleeding aside?” Peter nodded and took the offered clothes.
“Yeah, I’m fine, I just.. Did you happen to see Liz? After your um, computer activities?” Truthfully after abandoning her at the dance Liz has been the furthest thing from his mind but he was just now starting to realize what an affect his actions would have on her life. She would hate him, if not for Peter ditching her then surely Spider-Man for taking her dad away from her. He pulled the hoodie on and tugged it tight around himself.
“Seriously, you’re thinking about Liz at a time like this? But no, not exactly. I didn’t get a chance to go back and check after everything, though I think Michelle from Academic Decathlon was keeping her company.” Ned looked over at Peter who was still staring at his suit on the ground. “Peter are you sure you’re okay?”
Peter was zoning out again but made himself answer Ned’s inquiry. “I’m okay. I’m thinking about Liz because I just ruined her life on top of humiliating her at school, or did you forget the Vulture was her dad?” Peter shook his head. “Sorry I don’t mean to snap, I-“ Peter sniffled. “God Ned what am I gonna do? It’s all over.”
Ned drew closer to Peter on where he sat on the bed. “What’s over? Shit Pete, you’re crying.” Peter didn’t realize he was until Ned pointed it out but when he raised his hand and wiped his fist that was covered by the slightly too long sleeve of the hoodie over on his cheek, it came away wet. Knowing he wouldn’t be able to hold it in anymore Peter faced Ned and told him everything that was on his mind.
“My suit’s gone Ned. Both of them. Mr. Stark hates me and I ruined his property and I have no way to contact them since Happy won’t take my calls. I destroyed half of Coney Island and the whole school’s probably mad at me for what I did and I-“ Peter broke off with a sob, suddenly overwhelmed by all that he was saying and buried his face into the sleeves of Ned’s hoodie, not wanting to face him or the world for that matter. He felt Ned gently wrap his arms around him.
“Hey, it’s okay. Let it out, there you go.” Ned was being sweet but Peter had to chuckle between his cries at his mom like choice of comforting words. “Listen, it’ll be okay. We can totally make a new suit together if that’s what you want. And come Monday nobody in the school will be thinking about what Peter Parker did at the dance because they’ll all be talking about how Spider-Man saved the day!” Ned actually rubbed his back as he said this. “Also if Tony Stark still doesn’t want to talk to you after all you did to save his ass then frankly, fuck him.”
That shocked Peter enough to snap him out of his crying jag and full on guffaw. He laughed and then hugged Ned because what else could he do. While they held each other he decided he needed to confide in someone. “He dropped a building on me.”
Ned blinked but Peter didn’t see it. “Excuse me?” Peter repeated himself.
“A building, a warehouse specifically. He, the Vulture, Liz’s dad, he.” Peter gulped suddenly getting choked up again at the memory. “It was. I was so scared Ned. I didn’t think I was gonna make it out and I’d never see you or May or anyone again and I couldn’t. I wasn’t strong enough.” Peter could feel the tears wanting to escape once more and he didn’t try to stop them. “I, god Ned I thought I was gonna die there and no one would’ve known.”
Ned didn’t say anything immediately, just clutched Peter tight and let him cry. When there was a respite he said, “I’ve would’ve known.” Peter, having forgotten the context looked up at his best friend.
“I would’ve known if something was wrong, if you weren’t able to get out and couldn’t contact me again, I would’ve known and totally gone looking for you.” Ned smiled then but Peter knew he must be putting it on to try to relieve the tension. “How long have we known each other now? We’re probably like psychically linked at this point. I would’ve found you and saved you and helped you do what needed to be done.” Ned frowned again and Peter was grateful he wasn’t trying to hide his emotions. “For the record though I’m really glad you were able to get out. That’s so scary man, and then you went on to fight the guy and won? You’re like, certifiably badass dude.”
Peter nodded, Ned wasn’t the most eloquent at speeches but he felt much more reassured after hearing his words. “I’m like, super sore though, ugh I’m gonna be limping around the school come Monday.”
Ned shook his head. “I can’t believe you’re even thinking about school after all this.” He suddenly whipped his head around to make eye contact with Peter. “Holy crap how strong are you anyway? A whole warehouse dude? We seriously need to test that out when you’re feeling better.”
Peter nodded because he did agree, it would be helpful to know the full extent of his strength so he could be more prepared if something like this happened again. He shuddered at the thought of a repeat of that type of situation, but looking at Ned who still had a firm grip on his shoulders he knew he’d be okay with him in his corner. “Yeah man we totally should, it’d be awesome.” Peter yawned at the end of his sentence and just started to realize for the first time that night how tired he truly was. “I think I need to sleep.”
Ned had already begun to pull back the covers on his bed and looked ready to collapse into it himself. “Oh yeah, this guy in the chair is definitely ready to become the guy in the bed.” He looked at Peter briefly before they both burst out laughing.
“You did not just say that dude.” Peter was still giggling as he got under the covers, snuggling further into his borrowed hoodie, the softness of it making him drowsy.
Ned got in beside him and turned off the light. “Oh, you love me.”
Peter nodded sleepily into his pillow. “Yeah, I do.” He closed his eyes and felt himself drifting off already, but needed to make something known first. “I’m keeping this hoodie by the way.”
Peter barely registered Ned’s soft laughter but his follow up, “Go ahead, you probably got blood on it anyway.” Was the last thing he heard before he was out completely.