🕸 mcu/nikke || ❝ there goes my hero, watch him as he goes. ❞

[withresponsibility]

[ YOU CAN'T STOP ME FROM REWRITING POOR PETER'S STORY PAST THIS I'M SORRRYYYYY

Peter Parker exhales as he closes the bedroom door.

Tony Stark. THE Tony Stark. Iron Man.

Sitting in his living room--well, now his bedroom--talking about some grant he's never heard about.

His mind is moving at like three hundred miles an hour as he's trying to wrack his memory. He definitely hasn't applied for a grant or scholarship or anything. Did Stark Industries even offer one of those? Sure, Oscorp does, but he can't recall if Stark Industries ever did. At least to someone his age. Maybe more of high school?

Why the hell would Tony Stark even be interested in him?

Unless... no, it couldn't be. No way.

The Tony Stark would have way better things to hack his YouTube account.

Right? Yeah. Definitely.

Deep breath.

Okay. He's taken on some thugs and gang stuff. He's stopped some cars from crashing into busses. Saved some cats from trees. Aced his algebra test (not that it was hard). So, talking to Tony Stark should be way easier. No where near as scary or intimidating.

Minus the whole fact that he's looked up to the hero since he was nine. That was definitely a long time ago for him. Totally. ]

Look, Mr. Stark. [ His New York accent sticks out just a bit as he awkwardly crosses his arms and turns back to look at Tony. ] I'm sorry you came out all the way to Queens? But, I definitely did not apply for your grant. Someone must of did it as a prank under my name or... something.

[ If things were better between Harry and his dad? Peter would of even joked that Harry would of done it. Not that Tony would know who Harry Osborn is or even care. Peter still isn't even sure why the billionaire philanthropist made the personal trip to the Parker's apartment to even ask him about it. He could of sent an e-mail or a letter or a intern or... someone?

How does he break the news to his aunt? She looked so excited that he had been accepted. Honestly? He would of been excited too if it wasn't a lie. He can't even pretend to lie to her about the grant. He lies enough about where his bruises and injuries come from. He can't break her heart by letting her think he actually got a grant. ]

Sorry. [ A little awkward, a little accepting that he's probably pissed off the man he looks up to as a hero. His arms crossed more as he looks away. ] Maybe I can pay for your gas or something.

Comments

[doesntpaint]

Yeah, Captain America, big damn hero, represents the country. Uh-huh. [ Tony doesn't roll his eyes, but he looks like he really wants to. ] Yeah, bubble backup. She's not here just because she looks good, you know, and her bubbles definitely aren't just for show.

[ He can see that the wheels are turning in Peter's mind, and he spots the moment that it all clicks for him. ] We're still figuring out where she fits in with everything, but trust me on this: multi-purpose bubbles.

[ He nods as if that somehow explains everything, and then he goes on: ]

One could argue that that is a form of fearlessness, kid. Most people just freeze when they get scared, you know? You already figured out how to work around that, which means you get props. [ He even holds out a fist for Peter to bump, if he's so inclined. ] Pizza joint, huh? [ He glances at Mermaid. ] You feel like going out for a bit? [ He figures he should at least ask, if she wants to go along with them. ]

Okay, first thing: tweak the suit to add more protection. You gotta take care of you, after all. [ He wasn't even aware of being a little nervous that Peter might turn him down, because, well, he doesn't do nerves. At least, that's what he tells himself. But for some reason, even if he hasn't voiced it yet, it's really important to him to have Peter on board. If he did refuse, of course Tony would get over it. He's not going to resort to underhanded tactics to get him on the team. ]

All right, that's the best news I've heard all day. [ And Tony doesn't even bother hiding his grin. ]

[withresponsibility]

[ Peter raises his eyebrows slightly, but doesn't say anything. He thought the Avengers were a tight knit group of friends. Maybe not? He's quickly figuring out the public perception of Tony Stark isn't quite reality. Especially with his fiancée.

He looks back at Ariel who smiles widely, holding her bubble to her, and oddly looks like someone old and wise and yet young. It's a weird juxtaposition that Peter isn't quiet sure how to reconcile. ]

Got it. Multipurpose bubbles. [ He doesn't reallt get it, but, he's sure Tony knows what he's talking about. ] It's sort of lower class... so I don't know if it's your sort of thing?

[ Ariel looks between the two with a smile. She quickly stands. ] "Tony's favorite is cheeseburgers, so it should be fine! I'll meet you in the living room if that's okay?"

[ Peter nods and looks up at the ceiling. No looking at his mentor's fiancée in a weird way. He hears Ariel laugh and kiss Tony's cheek before quickly leaving the pool. He glances at the doors when they shut before looking back at Tony. He slides his hands into his pockets. ]

Yeah, uh, I can come up with some ideas for the suit. Y'know, find some things that could be better and more helpful. Sure. [ He crosses his arms and exhales. There are a ton of ideas he had if he had more money. Resources. But, that's Tony's money and resources. Not his. ] So... do I like check-in with progress reports or come by for reviews or...?

[doesntpaint]

[ They are when they need to work together, and they aren't when they disagree. And lately there's been more disagreeing than there has been working together. Does Tony like it? Not particularly. Does he know how to fix it? Not at all. Maybe it's not technically fair that he places a good portion of the blame for all of this with Steve, but what it all boils down to is that he and Steve have differing opinions and that, among other things, is what drew the line. The Accords didn't really make things better either.

Talk about a divided house... ]

What, a guy like me can't enjoy a good old fashioned American hamburger sometimes? I'll have you know: best thing in the world, after cheeseburgers? A peanut butter sandwich. [ Never mind that he hasn't actually had one in a long time, mainly because he doesn't really stop to eat when he's stressed working on stuff. ] But yeah, what she said: cheeseburgers. And yep, see you in a bit, hon.

Great. Cool. Perfect. [ Tony's nodding a little more emphatically than is necessary but inventing things and building things has always gotten him excited. ] Hmm, progress reports work, but I'm gonna want to see how you're coming along. I'm guessing traveling is a no-go for you, so we're gonna have to figure something out there. [ He waves a hand idly like him traveling to check in with Peter is inconsequential. ]

So, before we get into all the details: what's an idea you've had?

[withresponsibility]

No! No, God, no, I just meant... don't really rich people eat really rich food?

[ Clearly, as a middle class young teenager, he knows these things.

Ariel pauses in the doorway and glances at the two before slipping out.

He actually has more than a few ideas for his suit already. More in the realm of 'If I had infinite money I would do this!' A few ideas from just what he's learned doing what he does.

Still, a part of him feels like he shouldn't put the ideas forward. It's not his money. It's Mr. Stark's. He hasn't done anything to earn or make it.

He follows after Tony as they make their way from the pool room. ]

Uh, I mean, it--it depends? I could probably bus fair to the Tower. Aunt May would understand since there's the whole scholarship thing. [ Which is like the perfect cover. ] Or, I mean, I could text you? Or JARVIS? Or... however it works with the Tower?

An idea for what? The suit? Webslingers? The webbing? Or, uh, something else?

[doesntpaint]

[ Tony glances at Peter with a faint smirk, sliding easily into a comfortable slouched position as they walk. ] Rich food? Kid, most of the time it’s just really good takeout. Money doesn’t automatically make you a gourmet chef. And between you and me, all those fancy five or ten course dinners? They're all right. Okay, so sometimes I like caviar, but most of the time, a good old fashioned greasy burger is good enough for me.

And don’t worry about asking permission every time. You’ve got ideas? I want to hear them. Webs, suits, gadgets, whatever you’ve got rattling around in that genius brain of yours. My money? My tech? You can play with it. Just don’t blow anything up without me. Can't let you have all the fun.

So yeah, text me or JARVIS, since you're probably not going to be in the area much. No time's a bad time. Okay, so maybe I won't respond within seconds, but seriously, text whenever you want.

[ He pauses, studying Peter’s hesitant posture. ] Don’t worry about earning it or whatever. You’re smart, you’ve got the drive, and if you want to tinker, I’ve got the resources. Just don’t get too attached to my coffee; your aunt might have my head for that one.