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synthneon2025-07-07 09:33 pm
withresponsibility) wrote in synthneon2025-07-07 09:33 pm
Entry tags:
🕸 mcu/nikke || ❝ i'm just a believer things will get better. ❞
[ Ssshk.
Beep, beep, beep.
Peter Parker quietly slides the door closed behind him.
Click.
Beep, beep, beep.
He winces slightly before looking over at the occupants of the room.
Ariel is sitting next to the hospital bed that belongs to the man that saved the universe. At least as far as Peter's concerned it's the universe. Half the universe? Right, not the time to worry over the details. He came by for a reason and that's more important.
His classic awkward smile is given to Ariel when she looks up. A small smile is given to him with a nod, giving him permission that he hadn't really asked for just yet. He glances over at the bed again before sliding his backpack down onto the floor beside the door. Then, as quietly as he can, he moves to stand at the foot of the bed. Hands slide down into the pockets of his jeans.
A silence fills the air as the machines still beep at a steady heart beat. Which, really, is good news. That alone should be enough to ease the fears coursing through the teenager. Except the fact that Tony Stark is laying in the bed, not waking up, with right hand, arm, and side of his face bandaged. Peter let's out a sigh before rocking forward and back on his feet. He looks back at Ariel. ]
Any change?
[ She looks back up at the teenager. Instead of answering with words, she raises a hand and gestures to where he stands. Peter gives her a inquisitive look back before looking down at the digital clipboard. Medical terminology is pretty above him, but he can at least follow that things look good. It seems like they're giving him a lot of pain medication. It makes sense, but, he can't help but worry about it.
Hell, he can't help feeling guilty. That it's his fault.
Peter sighs and looks back up at Ariel. She's never one to really be a chatterbox (unlike him). She still usually says something, or makes her presence known somehow. Now, it's like she is trying to disappear from everyone who might walk into the room. He frowns and glances back at his unconscious mentor in the bed. ]
I'm pretty sure that Mr. Stark wouldn't mind it you talked. It's not like you're loud ... like me. [ He gives her an awkward smile and scratches the back of his head. ] They say that people can still hear even when they're unconscious. He'd probably prefer if you did over all the beeping.
[ Ariel gives him a smile that's not really a smile. Those are the kind of ones that people give when they try to convince everyone else that things are okay and they're not. He's seen it plenty of enough times and even been the one to give it to people. Of course, it never really worked on Tony and Ariel, and now he can see why.
He frowns. ]
No, I'm positive he'd want to hear you talk. [ Peter insists gently. ] If you've been with him for years, then--
[ He stops because Ariel pulls out a tablet. One of the fancy ones from Stark Industries that has the crazy holographic tech. No, on second thought, it's probably because of Tony that she has that and not the company. Her fingers gently move over the screen before she holds it up for him to take. Peter gives her a skeptical look before taking the tech from her and looking down at the typed text. ]
I TOLD him to come home. I promised I never would. I did.
[ Peter reads it over again. The initial response of "obviously you'd say that, you're pretty much married" is held back as he glances at her. Her gaze has fallen back to Tony. Peter once more looks her over. Her hands are centimeters away from touching Tony's non bandaged hand, but she's not touching him. Almost like she's afraid she'd hurt him more if she did. He looks back down at the screen in his hand. ]
Oh, [ he finally breathes out the realization.
He doesn't know much about what Ariel can do. He's seen the bubbles she makes, even tried studying it a few times along side Tony. He's seen her command them and change them into crazy shapes like she's making paintings or sculptures. But, he's heard where she has another power to command people. Not that he's ever seen it--he thinks. He can recall Dr. Strange and Tony arguing about it on the ship when they initially went to fight Thanos. Something about Dr. Strange thinking he could use it and Tony saying it "was off the table."
Peter frowns more as another realization sets in. He remembers seeing her bubbles seeps out of the suit Tony wore in the battle. Everyone but Dr. Strange was confused as to why it was there. Not that the Sorcerer Supreme gave any indication as to what was happening or why. Now, Peter thinks he gets the basics of it. Ariel must have given a command to her bubbles to ensure Tony would come home... and that's bad?
He looks up at Ariel and really looks at her. Then, he can see it. It's not just worry or fear that Tony Stark may not wake up. It's guilt--the same guilt he feels. The feeling that tells him it's his fault that his mentor is in the state he's in. If he hadn't have just died--disappeared--it wouldn't have happened. If he had been better, stronger, faster, more alert to stop Thanos it wouldn't have happened. Except, he gets the feeling Ariel blames herself for the medical state that her partner is currently in. ]
I still don't think he'd mind. [ Peter says after a long moment and hands her the screen back. ] I'm sure he doesn't mind whatever it was your bubbles did, because he's still home--
[ Ariel looks up at him immediately. It's not sharply or even in anger. More like she's horrified that someone else was aware of what she did.
Peter puts his hands up. ] No, not, it's okay. Don't freak out, okay? Your bubbles were in the suit and we saw them! That's all. We didn't even know why. I mean, now I do, because I read what you said. Still. I'm one hundred percent positive that Mr. Stark doesn't mind. He loves you, Ariel. It's kind of obvious.
[ Her fingers brisk across the screen and types once more. This time she doesn't hand it to Peter to read. He has to lean to the side on one leg to see what she's written. Her hands shake and then he notices the water specs on the screen. Peter looks up at her face to find it hidden with all the crazy amounts of hair she has, but he can tell she's started to cry. His heart sinks and he looks back to the screen. ]
I promised. He might not remember it. I promised.
[ Another sigh comes from the teenager. Another scratch on the back of his neck. He quickly grabs his backpack and sinks down in the chair next to Ariel. The bag opens and out comes the school laptop. He glances up at her to see she hasn't quite looked at him, but he can tell he's caught her attention. ]
Homework. [ Peter says flatly, but it's not a lie. ] Mind if I do it here?
[ Ariel shakes her head and he can tell she has something of a smile despite her face being hidden.
That's more or less how the next week goes. Peter stops by the hospital and does homework next to Ariel. There had been one day when he crawled in from the window and stayed on the ceiling until the nurse left, given he was still done up in his suit. He was pretty sure she almost laughed at the idea of Spider-Man entering a window holding his backpack. Eh, whatever works. He still has a grant and internship to live up to in his mind.
Harry and MJ ask him what's going on. He's more or less truthful about it. He's been stopping by to check on Ariel and Mr. Stark. After all, authority guardianship wise, they're who he has now. He promises to go out to the movies with them on the weekend and prays nothing is going to catch on fire, or explode, or some crazy maniac decide now to come out and destroy half of New York City. His friends need the time to feel normal and like the world is normal again... when it really, really isn't normal anymore.
Thankfully, he gets his wish.
Which makes him wonder what monkey's paw curled somewhere.
Harry is the one that had to break up the outing. Something going down at Oscorp, which he's been in charge of since everything happened between Spider-Man and Norman Osborn--the Green Goblin. Peter wishes him well and then offers to walk MJ home since well... it'd be awkward hanging out with his best friend's girlfriend alone. There is an awkward tension between the two that Peter tries to brush off as quick as he can.
Then, he's back to the hospital.
Ariel is standing out in the hallway this time with a woman he doesn't know. She has long silver-white hair, ruby eyes. She has Ariel pulled off practically to a corner and talking to her in whispers. Ariel is consistently shaking her head and at one point simply puts her hands to her face and curls up. The other woman pulls her into an embrace and Peter decides now is the best time to stop looking and slides into Tony's room quietly.
Ssshk.
Beep, beep, beep.
Click.
Beep, beep, beep. ]
Hi, Mr. Stark.
[ No response, not that Peter really expected it.
At some point he ends up in the corner of the room with his homework. Not on the floor, on the ceiling. He's sure one day someone is going to make man-spider jokes at him and he's just hoping that it's not that day. Sometimes just hanging upside down is weirdly comfortable to him. It also puts him out of the way of the doctors and nurses. They all know who he is anyways. It's the same hospital he dropped Norman Osborn off at years ago... and more or less the whole ER staff saw who Spider-Man was. Now, most those doctors and nurses are the ones that are attending to Tony.
He wonders who pulled that string. ]
"I was wondering if you'd show up today."
[ Peter tilts his head down and practically jumps out of his skin. The voice isn't unfamiliar but just... surprising he's there at all. ]
Holy shit. Oh my god! Dr. Strange, don't... [ Peter puts a hand to his forehead and immediately quiets his voice down. No extra stress needs to be in the room. ] Wait, how long have you been here?
"Long enough to see you perch yourself upside down." [ Strange raises his eyebrows and gives a smug smirk. ] "How can you focus with all the blood rushing to your head like that?"
Well, you know... uh, I was... spider bitten? [ Peter offers an odd grin before it fades away. He looks back at the sliding door that's fully covered, noticing that someone hasn't rejoined them. ] You wouldn't happen to know...?
"Ariel is currently visiting with an old friend. Her name is Cinderella. And yes, we all know the fairytale naming conventions. Don't bother pointing it out." [ The Sorcerer Supreme waves his hand before picking up the digital clipboard and looking over the information. ] "Well, thankfully, they've kept Stark in great condition. Good. I'd hate to see standards drop so far after I left."
Hold on--after you left? Wait, you're really a doctor?
[ Strange rolls his eyes before turning to look at Peter. That's when the teen realizes that Strange is dressed in normal clothes. That's somehow weirder than seeing the guy in a cape. Jeans, a nice shirt and semi-casual jacket. It makes Peter's head do a spin to actually see the Sorcerer Supreme as a normal human being. ]
"Yes. M.D., Ph.D. Neurosurgeon. Who do you think was there overseeing surgery when Stark went in?" [ Strange says it almost as if he's offended to trust some other neurosurgeon with an Avenger. ] "My old colleague and I made a technique that ... nevermind. It's not important. What are you doing here?"
[ Peter pauses almost as if he's offended that Strange would ask such a dumb question. A hand lowers then gestures outside to where the two women are at. ] You know! Just... visiting, and trying to keep Ariel company. I've been coming here for a week. Where have you been?
"Keeping the cosmos together so you can keep Ariel company for the last week." [ Strange smirks, amused at how annoyed the teenager gets. ] "Cinderella wanted to check on Ariel, and I wanted to make sure Stark was actually recovering. Which, by the way, he is.. just slowly. Not that it would be too surprising after having the entire energy of cosmos flood through your highly advanced technological suit. And, the bubbles your girlfriend makes."
Wife. Right? [ Peter tries to correct the former surgeon. ] I mean... they're, you know. Married. Right?
"Probably something to ask your benefactor once he wakes up. Wouldn't you know? I was under the impression he pretty much had you legally adopted."
[ Peter puffs his cheeks out and shrugs, crossing his arms across his chest. He never really thought about it or to ask. The two just seemed... married already. It reminds him of how his aunt and uncle were when he was growing up. Just with a lot more technology and snarkiness... and money. ]
"Well, anyways. I'd imagine Stark will wake up in the next few days if things keep going at the pace they're at. Which will be a relief to all of us, and you can stop hanging out in the corner of a hospital room like a spider." [ Strange makes his way to the sliding door. Then, he stops. He half turns back to Peter with something of an approving smile. ] "She'd want me to say it, so, I'll pass it along. Thanks for keeping Ariel company. She probably needs it more than the two of us would realize."
[ Peter looks out the hallway at the slightly opened door. He can partially see the two women. ] How do they know each other?
"Old friends. I'm not in the habit of repeating myself, Parker." [ Strange opens the door further and sighs. ] "Teammates. They were their own sort of Avengers."
[ Then, he slides the door shut.
Peter leans back against the walls again. A sigh leaves him as he looks at the floor. Well, his attention is gone entirely from homework. Not that it was really on it to start with. It was going in about seven different directions that had nothing to do with homework. MJ and Harry, Ariel and Tony. The fact Strange would even come by a hospital and was an actual real doctor. He turns his head to look at the television that's muted and has been the entire week he's visited. ]
Beep, beep, beep.
Peter Parker quietly slides the door closed behind him.
Click.
Beep, beep, beep.
He winces slightly before looking over at the occupants of the room.
Ariel is sitting next to the hospital bed that belongs to the man that saved the universe. At least as far as Peter's concerned it's the universe. Half the universe? Right, not the time to worry over the details. He came by for a reason and that's more important.
His classic awkward smile is given to Ariel when she looks up. A small smile is given to him with a nod, giving him permission that he hadn't really asked for just yet. He glances over at the bed again before sliding his backpack down onto the floor beside the door. Then, as quietly as he can, he moves to stand at the foot of the bed. Hands slide down into the pockets of his jeans.
A silence fills the air as the machines still beep at a steady heart beat. Which, really, is good news. That alone should be enough to ease the fears coursing through the teenager. Except the fact that Tony Stark is laying in the bed, not waking up, with right hand, arm, and side of his face bandaged. Peter let's out a sigh before rocking forward and back on his feet. He looks back at Ariel. ]
Any change?
[ She looks back up at the teenager. Instead of answering with words, she raises a hand and gestures to where he stands. Peter gives her a inquisitive look back before looking down at the digital clipboard. Medical terminology is pretty above him, but he can at least follow that things look good. It seems like they're giving him a lot of pain medication. It makes sense, but, he can't help but worry about it.
Hell, he can't help feeling guilty. That it's his fault.
Peter sighs and looks back up at Ariel. She's never one to really be a chatterbox (unlike him). She still usually says something, or makes her presence known somehow. Now, it's like she is trying to disappear from everyone who might walk into the room. He frowns and glances back at his unconscious mentor in the bed. ]
I'm pretty sure that Mr. Stark wouldn't mind it you talked. It's not like you're loud ... like me. [ He gives her an awkward smile and scratches the back of his head. ] They say that people can still hear even when they're unconscious. He'd probably prefer if you did over all the beeping.
[ Ariel gives him a smile that's not really a smile. Those are the kind of ones that people give when they try to convince everyone else that things are okay and they're not. He's seen it plenty of enough times and even been the one to give it to people. Of course, it never really worked on Tony and Ariel, and now he can see why.
He frowns. ]
No, I'm positive he'd want to hear you talk. [ Peter insists gently. ] If you've been with him for years, then--
[ He stops because Ariel pulls out a tablet. One of the fancy ones from Stark Industries that has the crazy holographic tech. No, on second thought, it's probably because of Tony that she has that and not the company. Her fingers gently move over the screen before she holds it up for him to take. Peter gives her a skeptical look before taking the tech from her and looking down at the typed text. ]
I TOLD him to come home. I promised I never would. I did.
[ Peter reads it over again. The initial response of "obviously you'd say that, you're pretty much married" is held back as he glances at her. Her gaze has fallen back to Tony. Peter once more looks her over. Her hands are centimeters away from touching Tony's non bandaged hand, but she's not touching him. Almost like she's afraid she'd hurt him more if she did. He looks back down at the screen in his hand. ]
Oh, [ he finally breathes out the realization.
He doesn't know much about what Ariel can do. He's seen the bubbles she makes, even tried studying it a few times along side Tony. He's seen her command them and change them into crazy shapes like she's making paintings or sculptures. But, he's heard where she has another power to command people. Not that he's ever seen it--he thinks. He can recall Dr. Strange and Tony arguing about it on the ship when they initially went to fight Thanos. Something about Dr. Strange thinking he could use it and Tony saying it "was off the table."
Peter frowns more as another realization sets in. He remembers seeing her bubbles seeps out of the suit Tony wore in the battle. Everyone but Dr. Strange was confused as to why it was there. Not that the Sorcerer Supreme gave any indication as to what was happening or why. Now, Peter thinks he gets the basics of it. Ariel must have given a command to her bubbles to ensure Tony would come home... and that's bad?
He looks up at Ariel and really looks at her. Then, he can see it. It's not just worry or fear that Tony Stark may not wake up. It's guilt--the same guilt he feels. The feeling that tells him it's his fault that his mentor is in the state he's in. If he hadn't have just died--disappeared--it wouldn't have happened. If he had been better, stronger, faster, more alert to stop Thanos it wouldn't have happened. Except, he gets the feeling Ariel blames herself for the medical state that her partner is currently in. ]
I still don't think he'd mind. [ Peter says after a long moment and hands her the screen back. ] I'm sure he doesn't mind whatever it was your bubbles did, because he's still home--
[ Ariel looks up at him immediately. It's not sharply or even in anger. More like she's horrified that someone else was aware of what she did.
Peter puts his hands up. ] No, not, it's okay. Don't freak out, okay? Your bubbles were in the suit and we saw them! That's all. We didn't even know why. I mean, now I do, because I read what you said. Still. I'm one hundred percent positive that Mr. Stark doesn't mind. He loves you, Ariel. It's kind of obvious.
[ Her fingers brisk across the screen and types once more. This time she doesn't hand it to Peter to read. He has to lean to the side on one leg to see what she's written. Her hands shake and then he notices the water specs on the screen. Peter looks up at her face to find it hidden with all the crazy amounts of hair she has, but he can tell she's started to cry. His heart sinks and he looks back to the screen. ]
I promised. He might not remember it. I promised.
[ Another sigh comes from the teenager. Another scratch on the back of his neck. He quickly grabs his backpack and sinks down in the chair next to Ariel. The bag opens and out comes the school laptop. He glances up at her to see she hasn't quite looked at him, but he can tell he's caught her attention. ]
Homework. [ Peter says flatly, but it's not a lie. ] Mind if I do it here?
[ Ariel shakes her head and he can tell she has something of a smile despite her face being hidden.
That's more or less how the next week goes. Peter stops by the hospital and does homework next to Ariel. There had been one day when he crawled in from the window and stayed on the ceiling until the nurse left, given he was still done up in his suit. He was pretty sure she almost laughed at the idea of Spider-Man entering a window holding his backpack. Eh, whatever works. He still has a grant and internship to live up to in his mind.
Harry and MJ ask him what's going on. He's more or less truthful about it. He's been stopping by to check on Ariel and Mr. Stark. After all, authority guardianship wise, they're who he has now. He promises to go out to the movies with them on the weekend and prays nothing is going to catch on fire, or explode, or some crazy maniac decide now to come out and destroy half of New York City. His friends need the time to feel normal and like the world is normal again... when it really, really isn't normal anymore.
Thankfully, he gets his wish.
Which makes him wonder what monkey's paw curled somewhere.
Harry is the one that had to break up the outing. Something going down at Oscorp, which he's been in charge of since everything happened between Spider-Man and Norman Osborn--the Green Goblin. Peter wishes him well and then offers to walk MJ home since well... it'd be awkward hanging out with his best friend's girlfriend alone. There is an awkward tension between the two that Peter tries to brush off as quick as he can.
Then, he's back to the hospital.
Ariel is standing out in the hallway this time with a woman he doesn't know. She has long silver-white hair, ruby eyes. She has Ariel pulled off practically to a corner and talking to her in whispers. Ariel is consistently shaking her head and at one point simply puts her hands to her face and curls up. The other woman pulls her into an embrace and Peter decides now is the best time to stop looking and slides into Tony's room quietly.
Ssshk.
Beep, beep, beep.
Click.
Beep, beep, beep. ]
Hi, Mr. Stark.
[ No response, not that Peter really expected it.
At some point he ends up in the corner of the room with his homework. Not on the floor, on the ceiling. He's sure one day someone is going to make man-spider jokes at him and he's just hoping that it's not that day. Sometimes just hanging upside down is weirdly comfortable to him. It also puts him out of the way of the doctors and nurses. They all know who he is anyways. It's the same hospital he dropped Norman Osborn off at years ago... and more or less the whole ER staff saw who Spider-Man was. Now, most those doctors and nurses are the ones that are attending to Tony.
He wonders who pulled that string. ]
"I was wondering if you'd show up today."
[ Peter tilts his head down and practically jumps out of his skin. The voice isn't unfamiliar but just... surprising he's there at all. ]
Holy shit. Oh my god! Dr. Strange, don't... [ Peter puts a hand to his forehead and immediately quiets his voice down. No extra stress needs to be in the room. ] Wait, how long have you been here?
"Long enough to see you perch yourself upside down." [ Strange raises his eyebrows and gives a smug smirk. ] "How can you focus with all the blood rushing to your head like that?"
Well, you know... uh, I was... spider bitten? [ Peter offers an odd grin before it fades away. He looks back at the sliding door that's fully covered, noticing that someone hasn't rejoined them. ] You wouldn't happen to know...?
"Ariel is currently visiting with an old friend. Her name is Cinderella. And yes, we all know the fairytale naming conventions. Don't bother pointing it out." [ The Sorcerer Supreme waves his hand before picking up the digital clipboard and looking over the information. ] "Well, thankfully, they've kept Stark in great condition. Good. I'd hate to see standards drop so far after I left."
Hold on--after you left? Wait, you're really a doctor?
[ Strange rolls his eyes before turning to look at Peter. That's when the teen realizes that Strange is dressed in normal clothes. That's somehow weirder than seeing the guy in a cape. Jeans, a nice shirt and semi-casual jacket. It makes Peter's head do a spin to actually see the Sorcerer Supreme as a normal human being. ]
"Yes. M.D., Ph.D. Neurosurgeon. Who do you think was there overseeing surgery when Stark went in?" [ Strange says it almost as if he's offended to trust some other neurosurgeon with an Avenger. ] "My old colleague and I made a technique that ... nevermind. It's not important. What are you doing here?"
[ Peter pauses almost as if he's offended that Strange would ask such a dumb question. A hand lowers then gestures outside to where the two women are at. ] You know! Just... visiting, and trying to keep Ariel company. I've been coming here for a week. Where have you been?
"Keeping the cosmos together so you can keep Ariel company for the last week." [ Strange smirks, amused at how annoyed the teenager gets. ] "Cinderella wanted to check on Ariel, and I wanted to make sure Stark was actually recovering. Which, by the way, he is.. just slowly. Not that it would be too surprising after having the entire energy of cosmos flood through your highly advanced technological suit. And, the bubbles your girlfriend makes."
Wife. Right? [ Peter tries to correct the former surgeon. ] I mean... they're, you know. Married. Right?
"Probably something to ask your benefactor once he wakes up. Wouldn't you know? I was under the impression he pretty much had you legally adopted."
[ Peter puffs his cheeks out and shrugs, crossing his arms across his chest. He never really thought about it or to ask. The two just seemed... married already. It reminds him of how his aunt and uncle were when he was growing up. Just with a lot more technology and snarkiness... and money. ]
"Well, anyways. I'd imagine Stark will wake up in the next few days if things keep going at the pace they're at. Which will be a relief to all of us, and you can stop hanging out in the corner of a hospital room like a spider." [ Strange makes his way to the sliding door. Then, he stops. He half turns back to Peter with something of an approving smile. ] "She'd want me to say it, so, I'll pass it along. Thanks for keeping Ariel company. She probably needs it more than the two of us would realize."
[ Peter looks out the hallway at the slightly opened door. He can partially see the two women. ] How do they know each other?
"Old friends. I'm not in the habit of repeating myself, Parker." [ Strange opens the door further and sighs. ] "Teammates. They were their own sort of Avengers."
[ Then, he slides the door shut.
Peter leans back against the walls again. A sigh leaves him as he looks at the floor. Well, his attention is gone entirely from homework. Not that it was really on it to start with. It was going in about seven different directions that had nothing to do with homework. MJ and Harry, Ariel and Tony. The fact Strange would even come by a hospital and was an actual real doctor. He turns his head to look at the television that's muted and has been the entire week he's visited. ]
no subject
When Peter moves to help him move, he finds he can't do anything more than let the younger man shift him into a more comfortable position while he curses himself for being this dependent on people. ] For the record? I hate this. If you asked JARVIS, he'd tell you I never let myself get like this.
[ He has to stop to catch his breath but he adds: ] And don't say anything about this not being a normal situation, because I know it isn't.
[ He knows he should have died, and he would have if not for his friends. ]
I would've asked you to make it too, you know. [ Tony's expression turns serious, although maybe it's hard to tell with the bloodshot eye and everything else he has going on. ] Not because I think it's your responsibility, but because I know you could do it. And obviously you could, because you did. [ He manages a small nod even though the action makes him wince a little. ]
I get it; you're not a kid anymore, but adult problems aren't your problems to figure out, okay? I'm grateful, I'm lucky, but you don't have to make a habit of this. Got it? I'm sure your aunt would agree.
[ And as far as Tony is concerned, it's his turn to take care of Peter now. And part of that is shutting up and listening as Peter talks. ]
Look, you got a gift, Peter. Maybe it doesn't always feel like a gift, but you have something that other people don't. [ Blah blah it's up to you to make it into what you want it to be, or something like that. Tony doesn't really like sentimental speeches, but this feels like a good time for being a little sentimental. ]
Having that doesn't mean you have to take on the world. [ But hearing this, he gets it. He really does. He thinks that him and Peter are really actually similar in some ways. He'd like to go back and stop his parents from being murdered, and he's reasonably sure Peter would love to have both his aunt and uncle with him. ]
I get where you're coming from. No, really, I do. I'd love to go back and do something crazy and heroic instead of not being there when my parents- [ Tony coughs. ] You make up for not stopping things by stopping other things. I don't know if that makes sense. Blame the drugs if it doesn't.
[ He figures they pumped him full of some really good stuff, and when that wears off, he's not going to be having a good time. ]
I don't know what I'm going to have to do to get you two to stop blaming yourselves. If I have to tell you every single day it's not your fault, then I guess that's what I'm doing.
[ And then he makes the most determined face he can manage, bloodshot eye and all. ]
no subject
When JARVIS is mentioned? Peter flips his hand upside down. His web shooter launches, attaching to the small screen on the otherside of the bed. With a tug it lands comfortably in Peter's hand and he holds it up. The see through screen lights up. ]
Mr. Stark has run himself into the metaphoric ground on numberous occassions. However, there is no record of this extensive amount of injuries. How would you prefer I categorize these, Mr. Stark? "Injuries Never To Repeat"?
[ Peter has to work to suppress the grin and snort that wants to work it's way out at the response from the AI. ] I'm pretty sure he has been monitoring everything on top of what the nurses and doctors are doing.
Of course.
[ Peter wipes the webbing off the screen as he listens to Tony respond to everything he shared. He expects there to be disgust or even disappointment that he hadn't always known the way to handle being Spider-Man. That he had a learning patch that cost the life of his uncle. Except, none of that comes out.
It's almost praise instead. Especially about the arc reactor.
Peter looks up at his mentor, his upset clear to see now. He had just shared his darkest secret after all. No point in hiding what is probably obvious. ] I'm graduating... pretty sure that means I'm an adult now.
[ Just not legally.
He glances down and simply nods. Tony is right about what his aunt would have thought if she was still with them. There's a guilt there as well. No amount of medication or hospital stays would of saved Aunt May. Her time was up, in her own words. He still feels he could have--should have--found a way to do more. Something to keep her with then just a little longer.
Not that she would of stood for anything like that.
No, no one else has been bitten by a genetically altered spider and gotten super powers from it. Tony probably means something else. His inherit knowledge of right and wrong. Or something like that. Right now? His powers do feel like a curse. They weren't enough to stop Thanos the first time and he died. He died, and then somehow, the Avengers brought him and the others back.
It's not hard to see that the last five years have affected both of his adopted parents. Tony might just be more obvious for Peter to tell. He's never very sentimental--though he has done the parental lectures--and now that's exactly how the older superhero is being. Which just makes him wonder how Ariel was the last five years. He knows she cares about him, maybe even adores him, he just had always thought that she put a distance between them. Maybe he was wrong on that. ]
It's--it's not taking on the world. It's... my world. The people around me. The people I care about. [ A hand raises to gesture at Tony himself. ] The only people I have left, you know?
[ Tony and Ariel. The Avengers. Harry and MJ. ]
It makes sense, Mr. Stark. A lot of sense.
[ More sense than his mentor probably realizes. He hit the nail on the head. He gives people what he couldn't keep. What he wasn't able to save. Well, it's not true anymore. He saved a father figure.
Peter knew Tony lost his parents... but they were murdered? He'll look into it later.
Eyebrows knit slightly and raise at the last comment. He's not sure he'll ever stop seeing it as his failure as a hero. Because, being back doesn't just erase everything from the last five years. It doesn't take away the pain he's sure the two adopted parents felt. ]
I'm not sure she's going to agree with you. [ Peter can hear how thick his accent is with all the emotions brewing under the skin. He frowns. He doesn't even fully agree it's not his fault. He's just not going to argue with a man recovering in the hospital about the matter. ] I thought she was... mad, disappointed at first. In me. But, she's barely talking to anyone--not just me. I don't really get it or get why. I've tried to help her and get her to talk, but, I don't think I really helped at all. She communicates and it takes me a second or two to kinda get it. I just...
[ He wanted to help Ariel too. ]
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Peter's movement catches his eye, and it gives him something else to focus on besides how loudly everything is protesting. ] Nice moves, Peter. [ It only sounds a little strained, right? ] Hey, JARVIS, how've you been? And yeah, I'd say that's a pretty accurate category. But you know, fate of the world, the universe... What's a guy to do?
[ He doesn't want to make Peter more upset, not when JARVIS almost got a smile out of him, so he hopes that playing it off doesn't undo their progress so far.
If he could, he'd reach for Peter and pull him into a hug, but they both saw how well Tony trying to sit up went. That's probably not a great idea at the moment. What does seem like a good idea is telling Peter that both he and Little Mermaid remembered he was going to be graduating soon, and they had picked out something for him already. ]
Don't tell your mom, but we've been planning things for your graduation. [ For Tony, it was along the same lines as sitting in Peter's room for several hours at a time. He knew Peter was going to come back, so they left his room exactly as it was. And Tony and Little Mermaid also made sure they at least started thinking about Peter's graduation, with or without those missing five years. ]
As far as I'm concerned? You are an adult. [ And that means that Peter's earned the right to be treated like one, in some respects. They're still his adopted parents, but some of the reins can be loosened in Tony's mind.
And, well, there's the fact that Tony's of the opinion that Peter had to grow up too quickly even without the dubious added bonus of missing five years. Losing his parents and then his uncle followed by his aunt undoubtedly had an effect on him. ]
Trust me, I understand. I get it. You need to protect the people closest to you. [ Tony stops, letting silence fill the space for a few seconds. He didn't protect Peter. He didn't protect his parents. Hell, even the Avengers weren't protected. But it's the fact that he let Peter die that bothers him the most right now. He might be allowing himself to be sentimental, but what he won't allow is an actual visible sign of emotion. He settles for staring down at the too-thin hospital issued blanket before looking back up at Peter. ]
The two of you are all I've got left too, so yeah, I get it. [ Sure, he has friends, if the Avengers can be called that. He knows they fight and bicker and argue, but most of the time, they're friends. Kind of. It's complicated.
What's not complicated is the people that he calls family, and he means to protect them as best as he can, going forward. He won't talk about how he didn't manage to do that in the not-so-far distant past. ]
I'm not sure she will either, but we're gonna have a talk, the two of us. That's probably why she took off, so that we could talk. Well, it's gonna be her turn soon. [ He says soon because he's kind of feeling like going to sleep, not that he'd say that out loud. Tony Stark doesn't sleep; he goes 72 hours without sleeping. The thought makes him want to crack a grin, and it probably shows a little on his face. Again, he blames the drugs for making him tired. It can't be the fact that he barely survived a brush with death or anything. ]
Between you and me, I think she's blaming herself for this. [ He manages a sort of gesture at himself and the injuries he's sporting. ] You know how sometimes she can say things and it makes you feel like you're being pulled along by puppet strings?
[ He's not sure if Peter's experienced it (probably not, because he knows Little Mermaid wouldn't ever use it on him) or if he's seen it being used, so maybe this'll only cause more confusion. ]
She made some kind of promise once that she wouldn't ever use that on another person.
[ He lets that hang in the air, wondering if Peter will get what he's talking about. If not, well, he'll explain. Sort of. He doesn't want to spill all of Little Mermaid's secrets, but he figures Peter deserves at least a basic answer. ]
It's not that she doesn't want to talk to you. I think she's scared about what might happen if she does.
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I mean, it's how I normally... swing. [ Peter gestures to his wrist where the webslinger can be seen slightly under his sleeve. He almost says It's just been awhile since you've seen it, but manages to bite the comment down at the last moment. ] I'm pretty sure the fate of the world is going to need someone else take it up for awhile, Mr. Stark.
Fine, sir. All systems across the New York Manor and the Avengers Tower are operating at entire capacity. I've instructed Ms. Potts on anything that needs to be seen to in the case you are incapacity, or Mr. Parker is unavailable. Colonel Rhodes suggested the older model of arc reactor for completion. I'll be monitoring it to make certain no further adjustments are needed.
[ Peter manages something of a smile. A feat, given how exhausted he quite obviously has become.
Then, the metaphoric breaks go off on his head. Mom?
He's never really been opposed to the idea of Tony and Ariel being seen as his parents. They pretty much were when Aunt May's health started to decline. He's been raised by his aunt and uncle, now Tony and Ariel. He just figured being called "Dad" wasn't something Tony would ever want. So, the typical way he's always referred to him as just stuck. But, if Tony is going to refer to himself and Ariel that way... ]
I did mention it to her--that I was going to graduate early. We, I mean, Harry, MJ and I, all sort of decided it together? Given everything that's happened. [ Even before the snap happened. Harry was pushing to graduate early so he could take control of Oscorp with his father still in coma. Peter could do it too, and MJ didn't want to be left behind. He just knows things are more complicated now with the whole... snap thing. ] At the end of spring instead of next year. I told her about it. Did... she bring it up to you?
[ He's not certain how else to ask it. He doesn't know if Ariel actually talked to him at all over the last two days. If she did, was Tony even really aware of it? He hasn't even had the time to ask how things have been except the obvious that Tony is off the ventilator and talking how that he has the arc reactor inside him pushing the shrapnel away.
The only two he has left. So, they are a real family then.
A sharp inhale before he raises his eyes back to his mentor. ]
You protected Ariel. [ Peter can only guess at what is going through Tony's mind. But, if it's anything like his? He'd be focusing on what he didn't do versus what he did. ] She's here.
[ Then, he falls quiet when the conversation shifts to what Ariel can do. He has had some sort of inkling. He has seen her command her bubbles that she makes. They've tested his webslingers against the bubbles before. How fast she can make them and how fast he can hit them. If the web could connect to the liquid metal. That sort of thing. At the time, he never considered if she could use that same thing on people. ]
I think I've seen it. [ Peter comments quietly. ] Yeah. I have.
[ Not that he is going to really mention how he's seen it. They all saw Tony take on Thanos. Saw Thanos try to snap, then saw the stones on Tony's arm. He thought at the time it was just a reaction to everything in the stones, but, now that Tony gave some sort of description? He can see that it wasn't just the stones, nor was it just Tony moving on his own. There was a rigidness in the motions that followed it. Almost like he was being forced to breathe or keep everything in him going.
He looks back down at his hands and the screen that has JARVIS's display open. That must be what Ariel was referring to when she typed what she did. How upset she was that she had even done what she did. He still thinks it was the right thing to do. It saved her husband's life--his dad's life. No one else was hurt; no one else was killed. Breaking the promise that one time shouldn't be a bad thing.
A frown tugs on his face. ]
I'm not even sure how she got it to work that far away from Earth, but, she did. Maybe it's not even really my place to say it, but... I don't think it was a bad thing that she did this time.
[ Peter glances up at Tony so see if he agrees. ]
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He nods along with what JARVIS says about the Avengers, but that's not really what he wants to focus on right now. He's glad to have JARVIS around, he always is. He relies more on the AI than people realize. ]
Thanks, JARVIS. Really. Remind me to work on your systems a little bit, see what kind of fancy bells and whistles we can set up. You need a reward too. [ He realizes how weird that probably sounds, and JARVIS makes a comment deflecting politely, but JARVIS has been his backbone for a long, long time now. ]
Look at you. Casual wrist flex, humble brag about swinging around: Mister Friendly Neighborhood Spiderman. Do you still stop carjackings and save kittens stuck in trees? [ It's an actual question, even if it's slightly phrased as a joke. It's meant to be friendly, at least. ]
See, we didn't know you were going to graduate early. Am I surprised? Hell no. But we wanted to have something ready for when you came back and when you graduated, because there was no way you were going to come back and get shoved right back into this mess without us having things ready for you. [ His room, his graduation present... all of it was planned out because Tony refused to even consider the idea that Peter might not come back. He figured that Mermaid felt the same way. He just hoped that she didn't feel the guilt or pressure to bring Peter back at any cost. That was on him for letting him go. ]
Yeah, she's here, but- [ Tony looks down in a rare moment of uncertainty and guilt all wrapped up into one unwanted package. ] I was supposed to protect both of you. I didn't. That's on me. And jury's still out on how protected she feels.
[ At least, that's how Tony sees it. What if this happens again? Maybe not on the same scale, but what if both Mermaid and Peter are in danger and he can't save them again? He wouldn't blame either of them for not feeling safe.
His voice is quieter now. It's definitely a change; he's always had a plan, and when he didn't have a plan, he came up with one. Now he's sitting with the knowledge that he didn’t save himself. And on top of that, he managed to save people this time, but what if he can't do that a second time?
He can see that Peter's waiting for a response, so he gives him one with a slow nod and even a hint of a smile. ]
It's not a bad thing, not how I see it. She did what she thought she had to, and look at us: we're all still here. We get to keep doing this family thing together. And you're graduating early, on top of stepping up, keeping the world spinning while everything was busy going to hell. Don’t think I haven’t noticed. [ Maybe he didn't notice while he was basically unconscious for who knows how long, but that's not the point. ]
Now stop looking so damn guilty. I already used up my yearly emotional speech quota. If you make me go over it, I’m billing you in therapy hours. Got it?
[ Now it's his turn to look at Peter to see if he gets what he's saying. It's not an insult or a criticism. It's just a hint of Tony's old sharp humor; some of the edges have worn off but it's still there. ]
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He makes his own confused but "duh" face back at Tony. The swinging is entirely normal and part of what he's done since he started being Spider-Man. Then again, who knows what bits of information Tony can really grasp in his memory at the moment. No one really gets how Tony's thoughts work (except apparently Ariel), so Peter can only begin to really guess what it must be like now that everything is trying to come together through the medication, pain, and adjusting to the fact that he didn't die. ]
Uh, yeah, I do. Why wouldn't--[ Peter stops immediately mid sentence. His face scrunches up slightly as a realization hits. Shit.
It felt like just yesterday (about a week ago) that he was swinging around being Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man. For him, it was really just over a week ago. It's been five years for Tony and Ariel. Maybe his mentor and father figure meant the question more in the hypotheticals of if he still will do those things. Not that he actually does them still. Shit. ]
--I mean, yeah. I will. [ Peter tries to quickly back track and rephrase his answer. ] The little guy still needs help, right? Someone has to look out after the street level things while the Avengers go and stop the next big scary thing that comes to Earth. So... yeah. Carjacking, thugs, thieves, buildings on fire, cats in trees. Balloons needing to be returned to kids. That's me.
[ And he means every word of it.
"...we wanted to have something ready for when you came back..."
Peter's gaze drops back to his hands then. A glance up at the door to the hospital room. We, Your Mom. Now, he has to wonder how many times Ariel tried to show being a motherly figure and he never realized it. Maybe because he doesn't really understand how she communicates, or maybe because he wasn't ready to let someone else fill that hole that Aunt May left. How many times did she open up or give him the opportunity and he just never saw it? Did she just give him the space to be ready, hoping that one day he would be?
He's starting to realize that he doesn't really know Ariel. At least, not like he thought he did.
Damnit, was he just that focused on trying to fill that hole inside him of having a mentor and a father again?
He rubs his hands together and finally speaks after a long moment. ] I think she's going to feel a lot more protected now that you're awake and talking again, Mr. Stark. Your getting better, right? That's probably the most important thing to her right now.
[ He's not sure he can ever tell Tony what it was like finally coming back to Earth. The moment Ariel hugged him and then saw the dire state Tony was in. Peter can't say he's ever really seen her panic or scared before. Not like that. But, he did recognize the look on her face. It was the same look Aunt May had when Uncle Ben died. The look of someone who lost--or was going to lose--their entire world. Peter doesn't want to see anyone else he knows or cares about have that look ever again. Once was enough.
So, it was worth the struggle and mental leaps to figure how the hell to build an arc reactor. ]
I'm pretty sure you didn't notice the last week at all. Unless you got some weird sort of cosmic scale of keeping tabs on everyone from the Infinity Stones. [ A pause. ] You... don't, right? I mean, you'd still need JARVIS to do that. Right?
[ Well, there's something else to consider. Did the stones change Tony at all?
A snort. Time for a change in topic. He gets it. ] I couldn't afford your rates anyways, Mr. Stark. [ A bit of a smirk. ] It's nine days since you got admitted into the hospital. What else did you want to know?
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And the thing that Tony hasn't quite put into words yet is something he's noticed; not about Peter, but more about himself. He still thinks at a fast pace and his thoughts haven't slowed down very much, but sometimes, there's a little more deliberation than there used to be. He really doesn't like thinking about the years adding up, but he'd be stupid to pretend that they're not. There's definitely more grays in his hair than there used to be, and the thought's occurred to him that he could just dye those grays away. Maybe when he gets out of the hospital, he'll look into that. He doesn't move very much, not yet, but his fingers flex on his good hand and there's a slight movement in his jaw that says he's listening, and carefully. ]
Nine days. Huh.
[ He stops to process that. He guesses that his sense of time was a lot more clocked out than he'd realized. ] It's a trippy feeling, not having any idea how many days its been or even how many hours have gone by.
[ Because really, until he woke up and could sort of squint at the clock on the wall, he had no idea what time it was. ]
Look, I don't know what you've been doing for the last nine days, but it's probably along the lines of school, home, hospital... you showed up, even though no one would have blamed you if you went "Hey, I'm still a kid in school, I need a break." [ Tony's really trying to not get obviously emotional, but it's kind of not working. ]
You showed up, Peter, in a big way. [ He has to work to get both eyes to focus on Peter, and he knows the effect is probably unsettling, but he's serious. 100% serious. ] I owe you one.
[ He lets his head tip slightly toward Peter, because movement still isn't quite where he wants it to be. He hates that, but it's whatever. At least he's alive and can move. [
I’m proud of you, Peter. [ As far as he's concerned, Peter rose to the occasion and even went above the occasion. Or something like that.
But then his gaze dips slightly to the side, and he exhales through his nose like he’s trying to steady himself. Of course he's not 100%; he's barely even 50%, and all this talking is hitting him harder than he wants to admit. Still, he puts his best game face on because he has to be here for Peter. He has to be here for Mermaid. They need him to be present, and he feels like he needs to start clawing himself back to life, even if it's just an inch at a time. ]
Yeah, I'm getting better, and you know why that is? It's because of you and Ariel. Bringing you back, bringing everyone back was the goal. [ But mostly Peter, as assholish as that sounds. Yeah, I wanted everyone to come back. But I let him down, so I had to be the one to fix it. It wasn't that everyone was second fiddle to Peter, but I had to get him back. He's not sure why he's even defending himself to himself, but it wasn't a case of "save Peter and forget everyone else". The distinction feels like one he has to make, even if it's only to himself. ] Keeping us together was the other goal. I saw what it was doing to Ariel, and I couldn't- I didn't want to let that continue. [ He can't really shake his head, more like move his head vaguely to one side and back, but he continues: ] I'm getting better so that we can go back to getting better together. To being a family together.
[ But then he pauses, mostly so he can catch his breath before he keeps going. ]
But no, since you asked: no weird omnipotent insight from the stones. No cosmic tabs. Just the usual mess of facts no one cares about; oh, and it's JARVIS keeping tabs on me, apparently. At some point, he locked me out of my own records for "health reasons". Which is insulting, by the way. I designed him, and now he won’t let me check on my own vitals.
[ But he's smiling and his tone is clearly fond, because despite everything he says about JARVIS sometimes, he doesn't know what he'd do without him. He's part of the family too. ]
What else do I want to know? Honestly? Everything. But since that would take way too long to go into, maybe start with what day of the week it is. And if Ariel's eaten anything lately. [ Because that's important too. ]
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[ So much for not telling him nearly everything the last week. He just needs to say it apparently. Process it all somehow.
Peter pauses and looks down at the ground. Learning what he has over the conversation and last week? He imagines that is when the guilt truly started to eat at Ariel. Neither of them took the news well that Tony could of just decided to stop fighting and never wake up again. She broke a promise to save him and what if that hadn't saved him at all? What if he just suffered those last few hours then decided it wasn't worth it at all?
Suddenly, he feels like he should go out into the hallway and pull her back into the room.
If she's even in still in the hallway. ]
You woke up about a week after that? And, then the arc reactor failed. Dr. Strange and Dr. Palmer were in another surgery with you about the cardiac arrest. Something about shrapnel pushing into your heart. [ A quick glance up to say he knows some details--just what the public knows really. ] Which is when ... yeah, you know that part. I'm not sure when you woke up after that if you did. Ariel would have to fill you in from there.
Uhm, [ another exhale of emotions and his hand going through his hair. ] I don't know what's going on with Cap, or the Guardians, the rest of the Avengers. No one has been allowed to see you outside of family. Something about extra distress. Just... probably better not to tell the nurses I crawled on the ceiling a few times.
[ Getting in the window isn't easy alright? ]
But, uh, yeah. Home, school, home, hospital, S-Spider-man if needed. I uh, went to the movies with Harry and MJ over the weekend. Until Harry had to go back home. Lots of stuff apparently going on with Oscorp. [ And the whole situation where Harry had died for five years, suddenly came back, and now the entire company is in an upheaval about who owns what and who calls the shots. He knows Harry won't tell him details. He's adopted by the "competition." Peter wonders if his best friend even still thinks they're best friends anymore. ] I'm fine though. Really, Mr. Stark. Stopping in and being here for you and Ariel it's--we're... you know. A family.
[ Meaning it doesn't matter if the world still thinks he's a kid. He's not going to let another set of adopted parents go through something like this without him stepping up more.
A huff of a nervous laugh leaves him. ] Family doesn't owe each other things like that.
[ "I’m proud of you, Peter.."
Peter stills almost like a statue for a long moment. He only raises his eyes once more when Tony continues talking. Something deep inside shakes. Some stupid feeling relating to being a kid again walking through Stark Expo as robotic suits went to hell. Something about wanting his hero to not only see him and say 'Good job, kid,' but making him proud. It just intensified and changed into something more when he did become his own hero. Then, when Tony and Ariel adopted him on May's wishes.
Being a family together. ]
Friday, [ Peter clears his throat again and inhales the emotions he know are on his face. ] And, I don't... I don't really know. I don't think I've seen her eat at all since you got here. I figured that was just something that was okay because she's a NIKKE?
[ He glances down again and is quiet for a long moment. Tony now knows his darkest secret. May as well continue with the most embarrassing secret. They're family. Maybe it'll help Tony feel better too. ] When you showed up at the old apartment and gave me the grant? That--that wasn't the first time we met. [ The hand in his hair rubs down to scratch the back of his head and help hide his face. It's so damn embarrassing now. ] Do you remember Stark Expo? Yeah, of course, you made it and everything. That, uh, night when the Hammer Industry robots went totally insane? I was there. Uncle Ben and Aunt May took me because they knew I was really into science even then. I guess it was their way of trying to support me.
[ Ah, shit. Crap. He's glad he's sort of hiding his face now. ] I was walking around in an Iron Man mask and one of those robots landed in front of me. You took it out before flying off.
[ Definitely not going to mention the 'Good job, kid' comment. ]
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[ He exhales, leaning back a little, not that he has very far to go, but he keeps eyes fixed on Peter in that way that says he’s listening even when he’s pretending not to be moved. ]
You know, for a kid who says he’s fine, you just gave me the full Lifetime original movie recap of the worst month of everyone's lives. Well, the worst month out of five years. And I wasn’t even awake for most of it.
[ But then his voice loses some of its armor, that sharp tone that acts as a sort of protection, a shield covering up how Tony really feels. ]
By the way, that thing you said, about me maybe not wanting to keep going... [ Don't judge him, but more introspection is coming. ] It was like sitting in a dark room and realizing it’s easier to just stay there. And the thing is, I wanted to stay there, but then I thought about you, Ariel, this family. I couldn't just sit there after that.
[ He shifts, eyes narrowing slightly into the closest he can get to his old sharp stare, trying to cut through the heaviness by only pretending to be stern. ]
And as for this whole "family doesn’t owe each other" thing, you’re right. We don’t owe each other. But we do keep showing up for each other. Even if that means you crawling on my ceiling like some kind of bug-eyed ninja and breaking hospital regulations. By the way, next time you’re gonna do that, at least wear socks with grip. The fall risk paperwork is brutal.
[ He lets a smirk tug at the corner of his mouth. ]
The Stark Expo... Yeah, I definitely remember that. That's one for the books for sure. But you know what else I remember? I remember zipping around taking out drones when I saw this little kid with a very familiar mask on, and I thought "man, that kid's got guts." [ He smiles at Peter, a real genuine smile, only impacted by the burns and cuts and everything else he's got going on. ] You know what, maybe that's part of what put you on my radar. You have guts, but also I figured if you survived Hammer’s drones, you could probably survive me.
[ His tone shifts to something more earnest again, but lighter this time. ]
I am proud of you, Pete. I’ve been proud of you for a long time. Even before you put on the suit. And I mean long before.
Now, about Ariel not eating, NIKKE or not, that’s not great. We’re gonna have to fix that. And by "we" I mean you, because hospital food makes me want to flatline again. Too soon? Sorry. But the point is, I'm not giving that to her. I don't think I'd give that to my worst enemy.
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[ Please, please don't ask how he knows.
Peter frowns at the confirmation that Dr. Strange and Dr. Palmer had given. Tony was struggling with deciding to stay or not. Part of him wants to almost be angry, but, the reality is that Peter really can't blame him at all. Looking at all those injuries and how the last five years must have been? It would of been easier to quit fighting. Maybe it would of been the right thing to do if it meant his father figure could actually rest.
He shakes his head slightly and runs his fingers in his hair again. ]
I--don't say that to Mom. I don't think she'd be able to--[ he struggles with exactly how to say it. Then, a sigh. His accent comes out thicker than normal. ] I just know it wouldn't go over well with her.
[ He realizes that he just called Ariel "Mom." It slipped out before he could change his mind. Not that he would. Part of him feels it might be disrespecting Aunt May by calling her that--while the others part wonders if he just needed to hear either Ariel herself or Tony refer to themselves or one another as his parent before he could say it. Almost like the permission was given to something that probably didn't need permission in the first place.
Then, a huff of a laugh. ] I don't have bug eyes. And I was in my suit, so... covered on the footwear.
[ He feels the back of his neck heat up and a flushed expression covers his face. He lowers his head and tries to feign a cough to regain his composure. God, Tony remembers. He glances up again.
'Maybe you could survive me.'
Peter thinks he can do that and has done that. Surviving something cosmic--from space? Apparently not so much. ]
Oh, cmon. You couldn't have been proud of some kid running around in a toy mask facing off with a drone that would of smoked him in a second.
[ The 'Good job, kid' was just a platitude.
Right?
Then, his expression shifts to something flat. A pointed look in his eyes and something not very "Peter like" in his tone. ]
I can think of an enemy I'd give it to.
[ He looks away with a pointed frown. He doesn't mean Green Goblin--Norman Osborn--or any of the thugs he has run into during his brief time as a superhero. His thoughts are on a very distinctive alien with purple skin. Someone who destroyed not only lives but family. His family--or damn near destroyed it.
Again, it hasn't been hard to see the mark of the last five years. His room and suit aside, he can just tell by the state of the house. How nothing looks like it's changed. Sure, maybe there are a few more awards for Stark Industries, but there's no new pictures on the walls. No changes to the structure of the house. No new curtains or furniture. Everything was exactly as he knows he left it those five years ago.
Well, save for one thing.
He knows the picture on the wall of Ariel and Tony wasn't there before. The one of their last anniversary before the snap. Peter had taken it himself and intended on it being a wedding present. Maybe it was in a round about way, but he wasn't there to give it to them on the day they finally got married.
Part of him can't stop being mad that he missed it. ]
But, yeah, sure. No problem. [ Peter forces his voice into his more normal range. ] I'll bring by some burgers tomorrow after my rounds. [ A thumb points to the window behind him. As, yes, he will probably be crawling through the window. ] I haven't heard from MJ or Harry this week about weekend plans. So... may as well go back to work. Right?
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And don’t "never mind" me. You start a thought, you finish it. Otherwise I fill in the blanks, and trust me: you don’t want my version. It usually involves laser sharks and a questionable mustache. [ The words might sound stern, but Tony's tone of voice is the exact opposite of stern. He's not lecturing Peter, mostly because he's not up for it, but all he really wants is to lighten the mood and give Peter something to laugh about, either because it's funny or because he's just embarrassed by Tony's sense of humor. ]
I definitely wasn't planning on talking to your mom about that. [ But Peter's becoming a man, or at least a young adult, and Tony trusts him with things like this, especially in the aftermath of five years. ] Probably for the best; she’d give me the same look Pepper used to when she was about to list every bad decision I’d made in the last month. And yeah, not gonna lie, it’d sting, because she’d be right.
Why wouldn't I be proud of a kid in a toy mask? Because it's a toy mask? Sure, that's going to do squat against a Hammer drone, but you could've been running away screaming. The fact that you weren't means you're my kind of crazy. You put it on, you stared it down, you tried. You think I said ‘good job’ just to keep a kid happy? No. I meant it and I still do. Call me crazy, but that's just how it is. [ And of course, he's a little crazy too. ]
Burgers tomorrow sounds good. Window works; so does the door, but I get it. Makes you feel like Spider-Man instead of "guy delivering burgers" Just no lettuce wraps. If I wanted green, I’d eat a salad, and we both know that’s never happening.
[ He doesn’t say the rest out loud, but it sits there anyway: the part about how much he’s missed this. The banter. The way Peter talks like the world hasn’t chewed him up completely, even if Tony can see the cracks. The kid says he’s fine, but Tony’s been around long enough to know when "fine" means "holding it together with duct tape." And maybe bringing burgers through the window tomorrow is the closest either of them can get to saying what they actually mean.
... Or something. ]
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Who conned you into into watching a Lifetime movie that you know by name? Someone had blackmail on you, obviously. There'd be no other reason you'd watch it. [ He really, really can't see Ariel watching those kind of movies. So, which girlfriend really hated Tony enough to make him watch one? ] I'm pretty sure you wouldn't end up in Hell, but, I'd decide to keep going if I had to watch a chick flick for eternity instead.
[ Then his eyebrows perk up entirely in a classic Peter Parker expression. Okay. Don't imply anything around Tony Stark. He feels he should have figured that out ages ago. ]
I just thought you'd want to know what's happened. Maybe I jumped on it too fast, sorry. You just woke up and started talking and...
[ A small pinch of guilt that he is the first one that Tony talks with after he can. Shouldn't it be his wife? Ariel is the one that has stayed by his side the entire time not moving. She left the room though, so clearly she thought this time needed to be for them. It doesn't help him from feeling he took something that should of gone to her for how loyal she has been. He's had Tony's corner too, but, he imagines Ariel has never left Tony's side metaphorically when she couldn't be there physically.
She got her bubbles to save his life across the galaxy! ]
I mean, laser sharks are still kind of cool. [ God, now Tony is gonna build a laser shark. He glances to the side then looks back up at Tony. ] She worries about you a lot when you're not looking. It probably got worse over the last five years... sorry. [ Another glance down then up again. ] I'm sorry I missed the wedding.
[ And the five years of anniversaries--or how many ever many years it's been. ]
More like because it was a really stupid thing for a kid to do? Aunt May and Uncle Ben didn't let me hear the end of it for a real long time. [ Peter decides once again he won't mention how it was the nail in the coffin about the two disliking Tony Stark. Especially when it came to being a public superhero. ] Well, I mean, it did make me happy... so unintended outcome, I guess.
[ A snort. ] I was thinking the window so I could sneak it in if the doctors say you can't have them. Definitely no on the lettuce wraps. The lettuce isn't even good. Unless quality control actually went up and I missed that too.
I'm not sure anyone else will say it. Thanks for bringing us back--and bringing me home. [ He pauses before offering a small smile. ] Dad.
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[ He shifts slightly, still clearly uncomfortable, but his eyes stay on Peter. ]
And hey, don’t look so guilty, Pete. You didn’t hijack some sacred first words. Ariel’s got the patience of a saint; she knows how to wait me out. You don’t have to apologize for being here when I finally remembered how to string a sentence together.
[ His mouth quirks to one side, that faint smirk returning even with the fatigue in his voice. Maybe the smirk isn't even that visible what with the burns and everything else he has going on, but for Tony, it's more the fact that he feels like he can smirk again. ]
As for laser sharks, don’t tempt me. I’ve got half a sketch in my head already and the arc reactor’s barely warm again. And your apology tour? Cancel it. You missed the wedding, fine, but you were a little busy at the time. I’m not putting that one on your permanent record. Ariel and I still managed to get through vows without you photobombing, so I think we’ll live.
And hey, you’ve got nothing to apologize for, period. Not for bad decisions, not for Aunt May giving me the side-eye, not for lettuce wraps, which are a crime against food, by the way. You came home. That’s the only checkbox that matters.
Dad, huh? Careful with that. Call me that too often and I’ll start making you mow the lawn I don’t have. But yeah, you’re welcome. You’re home. That’s all I wanted.
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Lifetime and not Hollywood? I'm pretty sure you'd never sell the rights away for Iron Man anyways, but, it would definitely be a Hollywood movie. Probably a movie done by Christopher Nolan if you wanted it to be really dramatic and cinematic. Or, Michael Bay if it was just a blockbuster summer movie. Sci-Fi? Definitely Denis Villeneuve.
You could get that... what's his name? Downey something? He could probably pull you off.
[ Although he is pretty sure Tony wouldn't want a movie done of him anyways. Maybe before he met Ariel? But, something tells him that Tony wouldn't let a script get even close to her. Peter can still barely find Ariel in the news or media as it is, even after looking through the internet for the last five years.
Not that he realizes how much that shows off his passion for photography and cinematography. Woops. ]
It doesn't really matter if she has the patience of a saint. [ He puffs his cheeks out and shrugs. Probably not worth getting into--right. He has to finish his thoughts. Uh. Topic change.
He raises his hand and gestures to the door. ] Dr. Strange brought someone named Cinderella by earlier in the week? She's apparently Mom's old squadmate?
[ Peter wasn't busy he was dead. That's a little different. ]
I wanted to be there for the wedding. [ His tone turns sober and serious at the same time, not leaving room for an argument. ] So, you know, I gotta find a way to make it up for your next anniversary.
[ Now just to figure out when they got married.
He rubs his hands together and manages a smirk. ] The condo doesn't have a lawn, Dad.
[ Easier than addressing the "All I wanted was you to be home" remark.
Instead, Peter raises his fist a bit at Tony's good hand. ]
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Christopher Nolan, huh? Kid, that means my movie would be three hours long, 80% monologue, and no one would understand the ending. Michael Bay? Please. The only explosions I approve of are the ones I personally designed. Denis Villeneuve though… okay, I’ll give you that. Gotta admit, the guy knows how to frame a shot. If anyone could make my life look like more than a string of bad decisions duct-taped together with charm and machinery, it’d be him. 'Course, he’d probably cut half the explosions. Can’t have that.
[ He flicks his hand like he’s dismissing the whole thing, though the glint in his eye says he’s entertained by this discussion. ]
And Downey? Nah. Too handsome. Nobody would buy me as him. For the record, no one’s selling rights to anything. Hell, I wouldn't even let them take control of my suits, even when that made me something along the lines of Public Enemy #1. Especially if it means dragging Ariel into the spotlight. World’s had enough of Stark family documentaries.
Oh, great. Now Strange is playing fairy godmother and pulling old squadmates out of the woodwork. Gotta say, “Cinderella” is not the codename I’d put on a resume, but hey, whatever keeps the tiara industry alive.
[ He shifts in the bed slightly, wincing as he does, while catching Peter’s change of tone. For once, he doesn’t crack a joke at the “wedding” part. Instead, his mouth softens just a fraction. ]
You were supposed to be there. That wasn’t on you. And the only thing you gotta make up for is time; you being here now checks that box.
[ Then, just like that, he pulls the mood back before it can sink much deeper. ]
But since you’re offering: next anniversary, I expect at least a holographic marching band. Something with drones. Lasers. Maybe a cake that explodes into confetti. I'll take you in the cake, jumping out of it.
[ Peter’s quip about the condo lawn earns a short laugh. Tony raises his good hand and reaches out to bump his fist without hesitation. ]
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Well... not understanding the ending is kind of on brand for you? [ The amount of times he has heard how someone doesn't understand how Tony thinks can't be counted on toes or fingers. ] Villeneuve would probably also have Hans Zimmer score the movie. Which, better than an animated princess movie I guess?
[ Ugh, a musical about Tony Stark might be the cringiest thought he has ever had. ]
They're going to make even more documentaries about you now. Just saying.
[ His eyebrows come together. ] Dr. Strange kind of made it sound like you and Mom knew the whole... affair. Whatever it is.
[ He isn't going to mention how Cinderella was comforting Ariel in the hallway. ]
Yeah, well, I'm going to find a way anyways. [ If nothing other than his own personal guilt. Some adopted son he's been. ] Pretty sure JARVIS can help with the lasers.
I suppose I should file the request next to the race track with wheelchairs, sir?
...wait, what?
[ He smiles at the returned motion. And doesn't point out how the house in Hamptoms technically has a lawn.
Wait, do they still own that house? ]
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[ He laughs quietly, obviously amused by the mental image he's picturing in his head. ]
Zimmer, huh? Yeah, I’ll take that. Dark, moody, lots of BWAAAHM. Still beats me belting out some off-key show tune while mice sew my suit. Although if girls named after fairy tale characters keep showing up, maybe some mice actually will turn up.
Documentaries are fine. Let ‘em make ten more. Just means more chances for people to get the story wrong. I’ve gotten used to it. Believe it or not, it makes for some halfway decent evening entertainment. That and a bowl of popcorn.
[ There’s a pause at the mention of Strange, followed by Tony’s expression tightening. A flicker of something complicated flashes through before he waves it off in typical Tony fashion. ]
That's the thing about being on vacation in lalaland, you kind of miss stuff just as much as you pick up stuff you weren't supposed to hear. One of these days, I need to have a sitdown with this Cinderella. [ He vaguely remembers coming across some kind of codename or something in his dad's old writings and he didn't think anything about it until right now.
Then he seizes the opening with Peter’s tech talk, leaning forward with mock sternness: ]
Fair warning, JARVIS might go for the lasers idea, but there's no way he's going to let you mess with them unsupervised. Knowing you, JARVIS, the wheelchair racetrack is in the “pending but never happening” pile. Right next to the Hulk-sized bouncy castle.
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[ The tone implies 'I hope', because he doesn't want to think that Tony would be stuck in the hospital for months on end. Not just because he's his hero, but, because he can't fathom the idea of Tony Stark of all people holed up somewhere that isn't his workshop. The bandages from the burns are the obvious tell against his hope. The worst are probably on his hand. Now that he thinks about it? He's not even sure how they got Tony out of his armor. ]
Cinderella didn't seem like the kind of person that would sing to mice though? Honestly... [ Peter frowns as he debates how to say it exactly. ] It felt more like she could take someone out in a blink of an eye. The only other person I've seen that protective over Mom is, well, you.
[ He decides not to bring up the numerous documentaries school has had him watch about all the Avengers--well, the big faced ones. Captain America and Iron Man. Thor and the Hulk? Oddly quite. No mention of the super spies as well.
Peter picks the screen up that contains JARVIS and the interface to anything of the Stark database. ] ... Want me to do some digging about her now?
[ Because, well, he's curious too. He knows really nothing about Ariel's past other than what she can do and that her old team failed. ]
Hulk-sized bouncy castle? What's with the wheelchair racetrack?
The Wheelchair Racetrack was an idea proposed by Mr. Stark to Siren on May 29th 2012. An idea that I recall Siren was very fond of enabling to a degree if such a wheelchair would ever need to be made.
...You got Mom in on this?
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Ceiling in the back? Yeah, that'd be subtle. Nothing says "I totally belong here" like Spiderman doing the Spiderman thing while Fury’s trying to talk budget cuts. Because he'd totally show up talking about that. [ Or maybe he wouldn't. Maybe Tony's not making much sense. ] You'd last maybe three minutes before somebody threw a shoe at you reflexively.
[ He shifts his hand slightly, the bandages tugging, but his smirk doesn't fade. ]
Compound's got enough med tech to keep me patched until I'm back in the workshop. Don't write me off as a long-term hospital mascot just yet. The smell of antiseptic and cafeteria food alone is enough motivation to get me moving.
[ Tony tilts his head when Peter brings up Cinderella, eyebrows lifting. ] Protective, huh? You're not wrong. Princess with the reflexes of a black-ops agent... Let's just say, not the version Disney put in the marketing. Your mom knew it, too. Knew it better than me, anyway. And actually, now that you mention it, your mom's not the kind of little mermaid that dreams about having legs and walking around instead of flipping her fins.
But yeah, I might've suggested a wheelchair racetrack once, and Ariel gave me this look like I'd just solved world hunger. Not my worst idea. Certainly not my weirdest.
And as for digging into people's pasts, I've done a good bit of that now and then. [ Okay, well, it's a lot more than "now and then". ] Sometimes it's an eye-opener and sometimes you end up looking around for the eye bleach. But hey, if you want to go looking around, be my guest.
In the meantime, I suggest we prioritize the Hulk-sized bouncy castle. Hey, that's an idea, we can work that in as a homecoming thing. Because if I'm gonna drag myself out of bed, it better be for something worthwhile. [ Is he joking? Who knows. ]
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I can dodge a shoe!
[ Weirdly enough? He's missed this. The banter thing. It hasn't been five years for him--just over a week really--but he finds that he has still somehow missed going back and forth like this with his mentor. ] It's more subtle than a metal suit just hanging around!
[ He smirks, but, he has the feeling Ariel won't like the idea of staying at the Compound for very long. Or, maybe that's just him? The Compound is pretty far from New York City. It's not just something he can easily go to after school like he can the hospital. He'd insist Ariel stay with Tony and that he could handle the condo alone with JARVIS if needed. Not that it matters, because Tony being comfortable to recover matters the most. ]
I mean, you pretty much built the Compound to be a town within itself. I'm not surprised.
[ A pause as he considers how he wants to say the next statement. ] No, not wishing for legs, definitely not. But, uh, the whole 'wanting to be apart of your world' thing? Wanting to be with a prince she thinks is out of her league and world? Yeah. I could see that.
[ Peter isn't the most observant person in the world when it comes to people. Not like his adopted mother is anyways. He does notice some things though. Like how much Tony does actually care about the people around him despite what he says. How Tony believes in responsibility, even if Captain Rogers thinks otherwise. And, he's noticed how Ariel can have the look in her eyes as if she doesn't feel as if she belongs. He imagines it has more to do with being a NIKKE than anything else... but it's not a topic he talks about often. He just instead tries to give her a hug.
She's the one who first made him feel welcome at the Compound. Bubbles are cool, but, showing that someone else who can do what others can't found a place and someone to be with? It meant a lot then.
He looks down at his hands and frowns slightly. MJ picked Harry and that's probably for the best. She'd be far away from all this super hero stuff. Then, he notices the screen housing JARVIS has flicked on and the AI is working. Lookikg up the terms "Cinderella" and "NIKKE." ]
You never looked into any of this stuff about Mom or Cinderella before? [ He can't imagine Tony just sitting by and not digging around. No way he'd just take whatever Ariel said and leave it at that. Right? ] I... don't really think Dr. Banner would appreciate the idea of a bouncy castle?
[ Peter looks back at Tony. He may as well ask because Tony had brought it up already. Meaning Ariel had talked to him about it. ] So, uh... graduation. It's going to be in a few months? June--and it's April now. Do you... I mean, if you can't because you're not healed enough, it's okay! I'll have JARVIS set up a stream for it. But, would you be able to come? I get it if not. We can have a party at the Compound or even here. Just, you know, they want a headcount because they're going to rent out a small stadium for it since there's half a senior class back...
[ He scratches the back of his head. It would mean everyone would figure out that he's been adopted by the Starks. Maybe it'd be better if they didn't show up? Tony does his best to keep his family out of the press. ]
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[ A hint of a smirk lingers as he listens, but it gradually becomes something a little more thoughtful. ]
I think that whole "part of your world" thing hits closer to home than she probably wants to admit. Out of your league, different world, blah blah... But between you and me, Peter, as far as she's concerned, this is her world now. If she wants it to be, that is.
[ He shifts slightly and he glares at himself for the fifth time in as many minutes, still hating being incapacitated for any reason, even if it's a good reason. ]
As for the Compound, you're not wrong. It's basically Avengers-land, population: us. I designed it that way so nobody had to run home through traffic after a fight with a space lizard. But home... that's different. If Ariel doesn't like it there, she has voting power too.
[ At Peter's question about Cinderella and Ariel, he manages a dry laugh. ]
You think I didn't dig? Please. Did I dig up dirt on Cinderella as soon as she mentioned her? No, believe it or not, I waited before jumping in with potentially illicit searches. I put JARVIS through his paces, looking for something to turn up, and either I'm just looking in the wrong places or this information is very heavily locked down, but I have yet to actually find anything of consequence.
[ He shakes his head, but he looks as though he's a little impressed. Not being able to find anything right away means he just needs to keep digging. ]
What about Banner in a bouncy castle?
[ Tony detects something he doesn't particularly like in Peter's tone, so he's quick to say: ]
I don't care if I've got to show up in a wheelchair wrapped like a mummy or with JARVIS projecting me like a hologram. I'm going to be there, you got that? You don't get to blow off something like graduation just because I'm banged up. I'll sit in the back, heckle the valedictorian, embarrass you appropriately. That's my job now.
[ He knows he'd still blow off attending an awards ceremony like he's done more than once, but Peter's graduation is something special. ]
Oh, also, when I'm out of the hospital for good? We're totally going on a guys' outing or whatever the cool kids are calling it these days. [ He'd say father-son bonding time but he's not sure how that would land with Peter. ]
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[ A glance to the door of the hospital room. ] I'm pretty sure she sees it that way too.
[ Peter pauses, wondering if the whole aspect of Ariel maybe feeling that Tony is beyond her league lands or not. They probably worked that aspect of their relationship out ages ago. His eyebrows knit together. ]
The Compound is sort of far from New York City. [ His not so subtle way of saying that if Tony moves there for medical reasons? He isn't going to be able to visit him all the time. ] Does... Mom not like the Compound?
[ Extremely locked down makes sense. Everyone knew about Captain America as the big soldier from World War II. No one has ever heard of NIKKEs before. Outside that nerd who would know about the Greek Goddess (which, was him by the way). He doesn't bother pointing out that Tony could just as Cinderella now that he's awake and familiar. Sort of. ]
I could just walk in a few weeks later and get the diploma if you can't make it. Seriously. If you're not ready. [ His tone is flat and serious. Eyes glance over to the side that's bandaged from the burns. A glance down as the image comes to mind again of seeing Tony with the fresh burns right after snapping his own fingers. The way the suit was damaged, seeing the liquid metal that makes up Ariel's bubbles leak out of the suit. He looks back up at Tony. ] But... I'll let them know you and Mom are coming. I guess it's going to be the big way to out you two to the world, huh?
[ Something about that seems invasive. They've kept the adopted under wraps since Aunt May died. It's been their secret from the world, just like the fact he's Spider-Man. He hasn't even told Harry or MJ about it. Just the fact that he's got the sponsorship and some level of emancipation. It wouldn't take a rocket scientist to tell that the Starks sponsor him though. ]
Uh, okay. Sure! I mean, probably better to wait until all your burns have healed. What do you want to go and do? I don't really do fishing or hiking or any of that sort of stuff. [ He... namely holes up and builds really. ] I did camping once or twice.
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Hide in the corners, huh? Perfect. I'll call it "Operation: Never Know When Stark Shows Up."
JARVIS is already filing the schematics in a folder labeled "Emergency Prank Response", aren't you, buddy? I'll make sure he pings me if you so much as sneeze behind a fern. Or a spider web. There's probably more than a few cobwebs up in those corners.
[ He glances toward the door when Peter mentions "Mom", but he looks back at him just as quickly. ]
And your mom? Good. Let her be involved. If she wants in on cloak-and-dagger sneak ops or the occasional "make sure he hasn't turned the lab into a volcano" briefing, I welcome it.
[ He grows a touch more serious when Peter brings up the Compound and distance. ]
Look, the Compound's far, yeah. But that's why we make redundancies. If I need to go somewhere for recovery (I really don't want that, by the way), we'll set up a proper wing there with med tech, JARVIS-run transport, and secure comms so you can drop in without a full security clearance and security finding out. And if it makes you feel better, I'll install an express zip-line, just for you.
[ The mention of outing Tony and family makes his smile dip into something thoughtful. ]
Big way? Maybe. Or maybe it's just like the soft opening before the big shindig. Besides, I don't know if your mom wants a big showing off, at least not yet. We can work up to that.
[ He shifts so he can look at Peter properly, more earnest than he lets himself be with most people. ]
You don't have to commit to fishing or hiking. Honestly, I don't trust you with a fishing rod; you'll somehow turn it into a grappling device. That might be a joke, by the way. But you can absolutely come nerd out in the lab. I'll show you the stupidly dangerous toys that mostly only explode in the controlled way. You can build, you can tinker to your heart's content.
But yeah, hiding in corners to make sure I notice? Cute. I'll pretend I don't see you. Then I'll text your mom five minutes later: "Hey, have you seen a spiderling anywhere?" Still, this sounds like a challenge to me; how long can we keep this up? [ He says, letting the corner of his mouth lift. ]
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His hands rub together slightly. Stark, huh. He guesses he really is one legally. Just, he didn't have it in him to change his last name. The Parkers raised him after all--he is a Parker. Just mentored by the Starks. Maybe it's better to say he was raised by the Parkers and Spider-Man was raised by the Starks. ]
Hey, those webs aren't my fault. Maybe your staff should actually dust more. You know, being their boss and all.
[ He makes a shrug and throws his hands up to exaggerate the motion. No one ever said Peter Parker didn't have his own level of sass. ]
Wait--I don't already have full security and entrance clearance in the Compound? Is it because I turned down the whole Avengers thing at first? [ His eyebrows knit together and eyes narrow slightly. Playfully. A little. ] I'm pretty sure you can't build a zip line from New York City all the way upstate to the Compound. Maybe I'll just take the bus.
[ His head tilts side to side for a moment. Ariel definitely isn't as flashy or loud as Tony. ] Yeah, softer. That's probably better.
[ He actually looks personally offended he can't be trusted with a fishing rod. Now he almost wants to do it to spite Tony and prove not everything is about webslinging or whatever. ]
I'm pretty sure I could keep it up longer than you could. She'd probably send bubbles out to find me like echolocation or something--can she do that?
[ Peter pauses. He figures he may as well ask. ] What else did I miss in the last five years? Besides the wedding. Do you guys still live in Hamptoms with the bigger house? Do I have any other adopted siblings I need to worry about?
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[ He smirks, tilting his head, and he makes a snorting noise. ] Full security clearance? You wish. You know, you're not exactly at the top of my- Nah, forget it, I can't lie about that. That's like kicking a puppy. Or lying to a kid. Of course you have full security clearance. Better still have your security badge though, just in case.
[ But then he pretends to be offended. ] You seriously think I can't put in a zipline from good ol' NYC to the compound? Might take a year or ten, but don't discount what I can do. Still, since I should at least pretend to be an adult, the city doesn’t exactly hand out awards for reckless logistics. Bus is a solid fallback: cheap, scenic, and low risk.
[ But then Peter asks about the last five years, and with that subject change, Tony becomes serious again, or as serious as he can be. ]
Well, it was five years. A lot's happened. [ He holds up his good hand and starts checking things off. ] Wedding: check. Bubble tech upgrades at some point in all that: check. Hamptons? Yep. And no, no surprise siblings to worry about. No, seriously, we didn't mess around with time and pull in some spiderlings from another timeline or anything crazy like that. It's still you, me, and Bubble Queen.
[ Then he eyes Peter semi-seriously. ] All jokes aside, you want another sibling or two?
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