🕸 mcu/nikke || ❝ i'm just a believer things will get better. ❞

[withresponsibility]

[ 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. ]

Comments

[withresponsibility]

Y-yeah. Dr. Strange opened portals to send everyone back to wherever they came from. We ended up here at the hospital. Ariel and Cinderella showed up right after. You, uh... [ emotions catch in his throat and his gaze drops again, ] Apparently it was hard to get you stable at first. Something about you trying to decide if you wanted to keep going or not.

[ 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. ]

[doesntpaint]

Wow.

[ 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.

[withresponsibility]

S-sorry. I just thought... nevermind. And, I am fine. [ Moving forward because thats all any of them can really do. ] Lifetime movies are a little cornier than this.

[ 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?

[doesntpaint]

Yeah, you're probably right. I guess you could say this is basic cable melodrama with better special effects. You’ve clearly never seen Love On The Sidelines. I have: once and never again. If there’s a hell, it has a 24/7 screening of that movie in the lobby.

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. ]

[withresponsibility]

[ Peter gives him an even stare. Slight confusion, eyebrows perked but also drawn together at the corners. He described that way too well for it to just be a joke. ]

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.

[doesntpaint]

First off, nobody cons me into watching anything. Lifetime movie or not, I have excellent taste, thank you very much. And for the record: no blackmail, just curiosity. Thought maybe I'd pick up some tips for the inevitable 'Tony Stark: The Unauthorized Tearjerker.' Spoiler alert: terrible writing, nobody buys the wigs, and I looked nothing like the guy they got to be me.

[ 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.

[withresponsibility]

[ Peter's expression scrunches. A Lifetime movie about the life of Tony Stark? That... sounds bad. Really bad. Cringe and corny don't even begin to really explain how bad that sounds. ]

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. ]

[doesntpaint]

[ Tony tilts his head, lips pressing together in a smug little half smile. He lets Peter finish the whole rant without interruption, mostly because it’s funny watching him spiral about directors. ]

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. ]

[withresponsibility]

[ Well, directors with cinematography in mind. The way film is framed and then stories presented. Photography has always been something of a hobby. Whatever time he has been able to spare in between everything has been catching up on what he missed in that realm. Which, damn, technology has come far in five years. ]

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? ]

[doesntpaint]

On brand for me, huh? Pete, my endings always make sense. [ Until they don't. ] You just need an advanced degree in me to keep up. Spoiler: course is always full, office hours are limited.

[ 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.

[withresponsibility]

Right, I'll just sneak in and hang off the ceiling in the back. No one would ever notice. [ He won't point out that sometimes Tony is the only one in the room who can figure out the plan he is on. Whatever degree Ariel can follow is simply because she knows Tony so well. ] I'm sure you'll be back to it in no time. The Compound can probably handle whatever medical things you need for awhile...

[ 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?

[doesntpaint]

[ Tony leans back against the pillows, eyeing Peter with that half-grin that usually means he's about to roast him a little. Kind of. Maybe it would look more like a grin if half of his face wasn't burned. ]

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. ]

[withresponsibility]

Hey, hey! I was doing my homework from the ceiling while you were unconscious. No one said anything. [ A pause. ] Except Dr. Strange, but he always has to say something.

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. ]

[doesntpaint]

Yeah, yeah, from the ceiling, just like any good spider would. [ Tony can't stop himself from rolling his eyes again. ] It's a good thing I'm not scared of spiders.

[ 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. ]

[withresponsibility]

I'm going to hide in different corners now. Just to make sure you notice. [ Peter leans back with his eyebrows raised, tone extremely serious. ] You'll never know if I'm in the room or not until it's too late. I'll make sure JARVIS is in on it too. And Mom.

[ 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.

[doesntpaint]

[ Tony blinks then laughs, and he honestly can't tell if he's amused or exasperated. He props himself up on one elbow so he can look Peter square in the face, still grinning, but looking just this side of emotional too. And he'd swear it until the cows come home that he doesn't do emotional. ]

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. ]

[withresponsibility]

[ Peter's eyes immediately dart to Tony's elbow, watching for any change in weight or sudden pain. His senses are dialed in. The older hero shouldn't be moving much at all, let alone probably having an extended conversation like this. Tony Stark is just... remarkably stubborn. He sort of understands why now Rhodey is shocked that Ariel has stayed with him this long.

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?

[doesntpaint]

[ Tony shifts slightly, ignoring the faint protest of his side and well, basically everywhere else. ] Oh yeah, I'll get right on that. "Hey, you guys, make sure you dust every single corner, and I mean every single corner, because our Mr. Parker will be doing the white glove test." Come on, Pete, you've got bigger problems than cleaning habits, like surviving the parkour Olympics you apparently think you're competing in.

[ 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?

[withresponsibility]

Hey! Sticking to the ceiling? It's way more helpful than you'd think. Vents too. How do you think I can find things that JARVIS hasn't? [ A vague gesture is made to the screen JARVIS resides on. Then again, that was five years ago. A lot changes as he's quickly realizing. ] Right now? My "bigger problems" are making sure you and Mom are okay and stay okay. Touching back with New York. Seeing if some ... other superhero friends are okay.

[ Tony most likely knows the superheroes that he associates with. He would expect him to know anyways. There was a tracking device in his old suit. It isn't hard to figure Tony also had record of where he had been and who he associated with. ]

Then? Graduating with MJ and Harry.

[ Kicking a puppy. Really. Him? He's seventeen now. ]

It's more like I don't think the Mayor of New York City would let you put a zip line from here to the Compound? Probably the Governor would have something to say about it too? [ A hand raises and he points out the window as if that will make his point entirely clear. ] I'll get the security badge from Happy. I've seen him a few times at Stark Industries with Ms. Potts when I stop by.

[ Wedding confirmed. Hamptoms house still there. Which means they've kept the condo and the main house. He wonders if everything is still the same in the Hamptoms house as the condo has been. Bubble tech upgrades sounds serious or... worrisome. It sort of depends on what the upgrades are. ]

Bubble upgrades?

[ Peter's eyebrows narrow slightly in thought. ] I've never thought about it? I mean, been a single kid my whole life. Not that it would be bad to have sibblings... just, uh, have you talked this over with Mom before?

[doesntpaint]

You know what? [ Tony smirks at Peter. ] Maybe I should have you be the temporary security system. When you're around, that is. You can scan for... Bugs.

[ Alright, so that's a bad joke, but hey, he's still recovering. At least it's a joke. ]

We're fine, okay? It's not your responsibility to worry about us. It's our responsibility to take care of you. [ Never mind that Tony's a bit limited on what he can do at the moment, but that's not the point. ] You just keep being you, and leave the other stuff to us, okay?

[ He gives Peter a knowing look, as if to say he has an inkling of what Peter's up to at times when he's not at school or with his friends or there at the hospital. But Peter's not a kid anymore; as tempting as it is for Tony to keep him on a leash, he already knows that it's his responsibility to let him have some independence. ]

Just... make sure you get through all that in one piece. [ That's Tony's way of saying he doesn't want to lose Peter again for any reason, not when he could prevent it. ]

Oh, come on! [ Tony puts on his best pouting look, pretending to be put out. ] Buzzkill. [ He huffs and rolls his eyes. ] Fine, you're no fun. [ At the last second, he tips a wink to make it clear he's joking, in case Peter needed the hint. ]

Well, I had to do something or I'd totally lose my mind. Or drive your mom nuts, and we both know I do that enough already.

As for the question of other kids, yeah, we talked about it briefly. [ Very briefly, but it did come up at one point. ] Nothing's decided, of course, because we wanted to loop you in too, obviously.

[withresponsibility]

[ Peter lets out a groan that practically echoes in the entire room. Definitely not going to point out how that was pretty much a classic Dad Joke. Right, Tony has just slid into that role entirely.

Five years does a lot to someone. ]

Yeah, but, I'm your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man. That sort of makes you fall into the "worry about" category. Even more when you're family. [ Infallible logic, clearly. ] I'll be fine. Checking in on... "Red" is usually just a swing by anyways.

[ Except for those few times.

Hell's Kitchen has its own heroes, but, he still tries to help out when he can. That is if the place even needs any of that anymore. Maybe it got cleaned up in five years? Who knows. ]

How am I the buzz kill? Come on. The Mayor would probably tax you to hell and back. Or, you know, however that all works. I don't know! [ He's sure somehow the Accords would filter into all of that. If Tony had been serious about it. ] I'm plenty fun!

[ The smile softens on his face and he looks down again. Hand rubs another one. A sibbling, huh? It's obviously not anything about replacing him. Otherwise the Starks would of done that already, and then it wouldn't have been the ordeal it was to bring him back. ]

Do you guys have someone in mind already?

[doesntpaint]

Did you seriously just groan? Really? Man, some people are just hard to please. Well, I know what my assignment is: brush up on my really great, awesome jokes.

So I guess then we do a musical chairs of who worries about who, because the last time I checked, it was our job to worry about you, and our responsibility to keep you in one piece so you get to keep being the Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man. [ And then he attempts pinning Peter with a look. ] Speaking of worrying, you know that worries your mom, right? [ And him too, but he finds that harder to admit. ]

You're the buzzkill because you're out here worrying about taxes and things instead of worrying about things someone your age should worry about. Which does not include taxes and worrying about your parents. [ He smiles a bit. ] Of course you're plenty fun, but that also means you should be out there having more fun.

[ To make up for lost time, or something like that. ]

Honestly? No, not at all. [ He rubs the back of his neck with one hand. ] You know, I'm... Really not used to not knowing how to start something. Gotta be honest, that's a first for me. Usually I can bullshit my way through something, but can't really do that here, you know?

[withresponsibility]

[ Peter's face scrunches up at great, amazing jokes. Tony does have a few good ones, but, he has the feeling his mentor is going to go hard and fast into Dad Joke territory now.

It's almost whiplash from what he remembers of Tony's behavior. From Peter's perspective it was just weeks ago, but that was years in reality. He's not sure he's ever going to get his head around it. ]

Yeah... but I'm graduating now? Just one year before I'm a legal adult, right? So, it's about time I take care of you and Mom. Especially since--you know. [ A vague gesture is made to the hospital bed. ] She's going to be by your side through the entire recovery thing. That means I need to take care of the rest.

[ He also really has no idea how not to take on more responsibility than his age.

His lips press into a thin line and a glance down at the hands he is rubbing together again. How does he say it? Yeah, he knew Ariel worries, but he guesses that he always sort of saw it as Ariel worrying about him because she oversaw him as Spider-Man? Even after the adoption she seemed a little distant... but now he's wondering how much of that was him pushing her away and her respecting boundaries. Maybe she even thought it wasn't her place because of Aunt May? ]

...No, I guess I don't know how much she worries. Or even really much about her at all.

[ He knows she has her bubbles and some other freaky power she doesn't ever mention. That her sister knows Dr. Strange, and her sister isn't blood related. He knows she isn't entirely human--but, Peter isn't either by that standard. He knows she and Tony have been together before the crap with the Mandarin. She loves the beach and the ocean. Swimming too. She's good at grilling things. Sometimes she talks in sounds.

That's... really it. ]

I guess, just wait until you find someone that needs you? Sort of like with me.

[doesntpaint]

[ Tony leans back a little in his chair, careful not to strain the burns along his side, and lets out a tired laugh but it's still a laugh. ] You really don’t have to graduate early to take care of anyone. Yeah, sure, you’re one year from being an adult, and somehow you think that means you’re carrying the whole world on your shoulders, but- between you and me, the last thing I want is you or anyone else thinking we made you grow up too fast. You've already done that, anyway. [ What with the whole losing his Uncle Ben and taking on the mantle of Spiderman and all. ]

But… I get it. You’re trying. And yeah, your heart’s in the right place. That counts for something. And, well, you're already leagues ahead of where I was when I was your age. Just don’t forget to take care of yourself too, got it?

[ He glances at Peter then, an actual question in his expression. ] I guess we didn't really ask you, but- do you want to be someone's older brother? [ He shrugs and then ignores the uncomfortable feeling that comes from the motion. ] Maybe if we do find someone who needs us, you're gonna want to go do your own thing. That's cool, that's allowed. I'm not big on forcing relationships to happen.

[ It doesn't work out that way, anyway, not in Tony's experience. ]

[withresponsibility]

[ Peter watches Tony lean back into the hospital bed. His senses don't go off, but, he's on the look out for... something. Anything.

Please, please no more going wrong. With anything. Just let Tony recover and then maybe they can do normal family things. Dinners or breakfasts. Trips. Peter isn't sure what he's really thinking or feeling. He just knows he doesn't want the machines blaring again. He's not sure if he can handle another emergency surgery... or if Ariel can either. ]

You guys didn't. [ The statement is offered like an agreement. Losing Uncle Ben and his parents. That's what made him grow up. He doesn't want to lose another set of parents again. Not yet. ] You made your first enginge at six! Not to mention you were already in college at my age. How am I doing this any faster than you? Not that I think it's a race or anything.

[ He falls quiet as he thinks about the question. There isn't a selfishness feeling lingering in him. It's more... what should he feel? He's never had the chance to be a big brother. MJ and Harry are single kids too. There's never been someone younger looking up to him--minus kids on the street of New York wearing Spider-Man masks. ]

I never really... you know, because of my parents and Uncle Ben and Aunt May? Just, it didn't seem like there would be siblings. So, I never thought about it or what it'd be like. There's not even someone in the Avengers around me age. Which is fine! Just... I'm more used to being around people older than me. [ A shrug. ] If someone needs you and Mom like I do? I'm not sure I could say "No" to that.

[ A long pause follows before he looks down. ] It'd be nice to have someone to talk to about all of ... this. Without it being thrown back at me all the time.

[ He realizes that's more of a telling statement than anything. Harry constantly throws how he thinks Spider-Man nearly killed his father at him. How it's all Stark Industries' fault for the situation Mr. Osborn was in. If Stark Industries kept making weapons, then his father wouldn't have made decisions he did that turned him into the Green Goblin. Then, MJ gets in the middle, and it gets messy.

Nothing is ever easy. ]

So, uh, if you find someone? Let me know? Just, get better first. Mom isn't going to take it well if you suddenly spike downwards.