When the tears are rollin' down.

Depression is a funny thing isn't it? One minute you could be happy and the next a humongous wave of sadness and numbness hits you like a ton of bricks. Numbness was all Peter felt, he was void of any emotion. Not even May's blueberry pancakes, or talking to Ned about a new LEGO set, or FaceTiming with MJ, could get him out of this rut.

Like a river to the ocean.

May knew today was going to be difficult, no matter how she tried Peter barely spoke, barely ate, and only took little sips of water. A year has passed since Ben died. Peter was there, a fourteen year old, in Ben's car waiting for him to come out of Delmar's. Then there were shots; Peter startled in his seat, he peered his head out and looked outside where a crowd was forming.

And there's no one else around.

He got out of the car and pushed his way through the crowd and saw his uncle lying in a pool of his own blood. Peter rushed to him and was crying, "Uncle Ben, hey, stay awake. The ambulance is almost here." He said through tears.

"Peter, listen to me, it's okay, can you promise me something?" Ben asked, as his voice grew raspier and weaker.

You won't question my devotion.

Peter nodded his head, "Take care of May, and take care yourself.." Just like that, Ben took his last breath, closing his eyes, and succumbing to his wound.

Peter shook him lightly, "U.. Uncle Ben? Please w- wake up!" That night, Peter was never the same. Ever since that day Peter blamed himself, and especially on the anniversary of his uncle's death his emotions were beyond overwhelming.

Everybody needs somebody.

He tried therapy, it didn't work. He tried different coping skills, that didn't work either. He tried all of it but nothing was working. The more he kept everything in, the more distant he became. There was a line that he crossed where he just didn't care anymore. It took May over an hour to get him out of his bed and off to school.

And you got me.

Peter felt as if there was a huge weight on his shoulders, he'd never felt more anxious, more angry, and wanted to burst into tears. The worst part is all of those emotions were him, he was angry at himself for causing trouble with May and Ben.

You know that, that I know that you know that.

He was sad because it's been only a year since he lost his uncle, since his aunt lost her husband. He could've done something but no, he decided to be stubborn and run off like a baby making Ben have to chase him down.

I'll be there for the highs and lows.

He's anxious because it's always been a three Parker family unit, they had their way of running things and without one of the main members their team fell apart. Most nights Peter could hear May's cries; she doesn't think he knows, but he does.

Give you mine when your heart gets broke.

Peter tried making life easy for May, not complaining when asked to do something, coming home on time, and making sure to do his schoolwork. But inside Peter was a ticking time bomb waiting to go off. Today was the detonation, and it wasn't pretty.

By your side when you're all alone.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I will be there.

Peter had gotten to the Stark Industries tower earlier today working at his desk, trying to keep up with his projects. He wanted to keep his mind busy, to distract the chaos of his thoughts, when something wasn't working. He couldn't fix a certain wire on a simple machine.

Wow, you can't even fix your own machine. How pathetic.

Would you just shut up!

What if I didn't? What would you do it?

Leave me alone.

I think I'm having fun watching you fail, just blow up. You know you want to.

When you're down and down on your luck.

No. Be quiet.

Y'know, your uncle would be so disappointed.

Shut up.

Bet he'd have a laugh knowing that you're just a kid in a sweatsuit trying to "save" lives.

"JUST SHUT UP!" Peter stood up and brought down his fist onto the desk, denting it. Tony jumped, having been startled, he turned to the teen who stood with his back to him. Tony turned to Peter and slowly walked up to him.

I will be there.

"Peter, kid, hey." As Tony got closer to him he reached and softly touched his shoulder. Peter got scared then spun around, seeing his mentor. Tony then saw the look on his face, Peter's eyes were bloodshot. He was breathing heavily, panicking. Tony immediately knew what to do.

I'll be there, I'll be there, I'll be for you.

Tony grasped Peter's hands and led him away from his desk. Bringing the boy into a hug, letting him cry. He could tell Peter kept his feelings bottled up for far too long, he was bound to have a breakdown.

When you're down and down on your luck.

"It's alright bud, it's okay." Peter cried into Tony's shoulder. He had no idea what was happening but he hoped things would get better for the kid.

When your heart could use a break.

After some time of holding Peter close, hearing his sobs. Tony had to know what was going on to better understand why Peter was upset and figure out how to make him feel better.

I'll be patient, I will wait, until you're ready to be open.

"Bambino, you gotta tell me what's wrong, I just wanna help you." Tony said, kissing the top of Peter's head.

Peter finally spoke, "It's all my fault."

"What's all your fault?" Tony questioned. Peter sighed, he had to come clean, there was no more hiding from this. He had to tell someone and it might as well be Tony who he tells.

Everybody needs somebody, and you got me.

"A y.. year ago today, my Uncle Ben died in an armed robbery gone w.. wrong. I was there when he went into Delmar's."

Without acknowledging it Tony began combing his fingers through Peter's hair, "Oh Peter, what happened to your uncle wasn't your fault."

By your side when you're all alone.

"I.. I could've prevented my uncle's death, but I didn't. Because I'm a stupid kid who was being too stubborn."

"Peter, that's not true. Your uncle wouldn't want you doing this to yourself. He wouldn't blame you, because you didn't know he was going to die."

I'll be there for you.

Peter sniffled, "But I had his blood on my hands, May hasn't stopped crying, I'm trying dad. I'm trying so hard but I'm struggling."

"I know bud, I know." Tony replied soothingly.

"I may have never met your uncle but I know one thing, he raised an amazing, kind, smart kid." Tony said.

When you're down and down on your luck.

Tony wished he could take Peter's pain away, but Peter would have to forgive himself before moving on. "When I was eighteen, my parents died. My father and I weren't on the best of terms. And my mother was always the peacemaker with arguments we ever had."

"I had to learn to be by myself, but I turned to alcohol. That was how I self medicated, that was my way of grieving. And when I was ready to forgive, I stopped."

By your side when you're all alone.

"I've tried everything already and nothing has worked." Peter said.

"I'll help you find something because I'll be there for you no matter what happens and where you are." Tony knew he was getting through to Peter as he listened intently.

I'll be there for you.

"Promise?" Peter asked.

"I promise kiddo." Tony replied.

Gave your all but it's not enough.

Peter finally told someone what had been bothering him for months. "I love you, Peter." Tony stated, with the corner of his mouth turned upwards.

Tony felt good, he helped his kid not as a superhero but as a parental figure in the teenagers life. "I love you too dad." Peter said with a genuine smile, finally a genuine smile.

I'll be there for you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The End of Chapter 227