DESPITE HIS DESPERATION AND RELIEF, Peter finds himself hesitant to lean too far into the hug ( as much as he might want to ), afraid to hurt his mentor, but the hand to his back is still reassuring— a steady reminder that everything is going to turn out okay. Blinking back the burning in his eyes, he nods, still managing a smile. “Yeah, yeah, I mean if- if ANYTHING checks off the invincible box, it’s gotta be this-” At least, he wants to think that way. “I’m not…I didn’t hurt you just now or anything, right?- SORRY, I just, they wouldn’t let me in until now and I…wanted to make sure-”
“ stop worrying , kid. i’m a little banged up , but i’m not as fragile as all that. ” an understatement , but a necessary one , if the tears in the kid’s eyes are any indication. “ -- i know. they haven’t been letting anyone but pep and fury in. total tools , if you ask me. ”