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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
His voice is dry but affectionate. Her laughter vibrates softly against his throat, and he feels something ease in him that the medication he's on never touches. It's the first time in a long time he's let himself just be: no fixing, no planning, no trying to make up for the millions of mistakes he's made over the years. It feels nice to just be.
He tilts his head slightly so his cheek brushes her hair, and he adds: ] You didn't just rebuild me, you know. You reminded me there was something left worth rebuilding for.
[ There's a pause, a long one, where the machines hum and beep and the world outside the hospital feels far away. But he lets himself imagine it: a vacation, Peter tagging along, no alien invasions, no armor, no feelings of terror. Just sunlight, salt water, and her. ]
A vacation sounds good, though if you trap me in one of those bubbles and Barton calls me a hamster, I'm... I'm building a portable electromagnetic cage and springing it on both of you when you aren't expecting it. [ He does eye her warily as if wondering if maybe such a thing is going too far, even if it's only in jest. He remembers how she was caged before, and he'd never cage her again on purpose. ] ... On second thought, forget the cage. Maybe a portable pillow fort instead.
[ The corner of his mouth twitches, and he glances at her. ] And yeah, we'll test it with the kid. He'd love that. We all deserve a little stupid fun after... After everything.
[ He shifts his hand, the one that still works, until his fingers find hers, lacing through them gently. ] So yeah. Vacation. You, me, the kid, and hell, maybe we'll even find a way to bring along one very confused robot with a web shooter. [ He's kidding, he wouldn't actually cart DUM-E along with them. ]
no subject
[ Her head tilts into his cheek. She feels that old girlish flutter in her heart. They don't often get to be like this--just the two of them laying in a bed with gentle touches. Usually he is awake making or fixing things and she tries to help. Most nights they simply fall asleep together if they're not being intimate. It's a rare time Tony allows himself to simply exist in the moment and enjoy the exact moment he is in. Not what had happened or what might happen. ]
Well, your cage would be better than any other. [ She tries to keep the tone light, but a lingering quietness is in the back of her throat. One she knows he'll understand. He already moved to change his mind. ] You and Peter deserve it most of all.
[ They were the ones that fought so far away. All she did was... stay home and pray they would come back. Together.
Her fingers curl around his hand with practiced ease. Sliding in-between his as if she was made for him. That's far from true, but the idea is nice. ] When we go? I'll grill dinner. I can even do it when they release you from the hospital! A better celebration for Peter's graduation and welcoming you home. We can have dinner at the Compound--just the three of us.
[ Little Mermaid's head tilts down everything so slightly. Cheek nudges into his good shoulder. She reminded him there was something worth rebuilding... ]
You reminded me too, you know. That I'm still me... underneath how everything changed me. [ Ariel Stark, not just Little Mermaid. ] If I really rebuilt you and reminded you? Then, you reminded me of who I am... and you gave me that place to be me. You're my hero. My Iron Man... and I'll always be your Little Mermaid.
[ Even when the time comes where he's laid to rest. Even when she has to wait to rejoin him in the place after their lives now. If that ends up being another hundred years? She'll still wear her wedding ring and call herself 'Ariel Stark.' She'll keep visiting him and making bubbles to decorate his resting place until she can be with her prince again.
The tears sliding down her face surprise her. He's awake and better. She shouldn't be thinking of that inevitable time that she hopes is something far away. But, she can't help it, when Thanos nearly took him away. Twice.
She closes her eyes and gently turns into him. Her chest presses into his side in hopes that her core can be close to the arc reactor in some way. ]
no subject
He starts to make a quip about living in the cage of luxury, but at the last second, he decides maybe joking about cages really is too much. He cares about her too much to make her uncomfortable with his off-color jokes. ]
You deserve it too, you know. [ He's not going to say that he was more or less resigned to that being the ending, and he's definitely not going to say that he was reasonably confident the two of them would eventually carry on. It could take years, but eventually, they would find a way to adjust.
But the future he envisioned changed, and he can't say he's not happy about it. Ariel's actions gave them more time together, and he's not about to waste a second of it. ]
Grilling, huh? [ He smiles and he hopes, not for the first time, that it doesn't look terrible. Ghoulish. Scary. ] I hope that means fish is on the menu. [ He realizes then that there's a slight irony to it. The Little Mermaid, eating fish... But she's not literally a fish, so it shouldn't matter, right? ] Just the three of us. Sounds nice. Really. [ The idea of being around big crowds of people doesn't sound that appealing to him, not right now. Maybe not again. ]
Man, part of me just wants to zip the lip and just... take this. Once, I would have. Compliments like that? I ate them up. Sure, those compliments weren't always genuine, and damn, did they have strings attached. I might have bailed you out of that room you were locked in, but- Did I really do that much?
[ But he's still smiling, and he reaches for her hand to squeeze it. ] Honestly, if all I am is your hero and Peter's, that's good enough for me.
[ He doesn't need accolades from anyone else; he just wants to be good for both her and Peter, that's it. ]
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[ Little Mermaid presses her lips together to stop the laughter that could file out. She can tell JARVIS is attempting to be polite about the predecessor technology, but, they are all aware that the robotic arms are limited in function. She realizes that Tony has never upgraded them in that regard. He says he isn't nostalgic, but, maybe how they are is a small piece of that time of his life.
Instead, a slightly soft hum comes from her. He thinks he deserves the vacation. There is no point in arguing or trying to change his mind. What she did is monumental to him, even if she thinks it will always be morally complicated for her. She won't take the motion back. Not ever. She would do it again. Just... it feels like breaking her promise to Abe because it comes from such a selfish place. ]
Fish, steak, burgers. Whatever you want! [ A firm nod. Aouu! ] It's your triumphant return home dinner. Yours and Peter's.
Yes. You did do all of that and so much more.
[ Little Mermaid pushes herself up on her elbow. Her hair slides over her shoulder as she tilts her head down towards his once again. The space between left for him to decide if he wants their foreheads to touch. While she notes his new wounds? How she looks at him hasn't changed. No pity, no remorse, no disgust. She sees who she has always seen--Tony Stark. ]
When you came back to the Tower after JARVIS took you to Tennessee? [ She knows it was a long time ago now. Eleven years. ] I wasn't in a bad shape just because of the injuries I had.
[ Injuries, not damage.
Her gaze drops. ] Not everyone woman survived becoming a NIKKE. Sometimes... sometimes they couldn't fathom what they became. They knew they weren't really human anymore--not the way they had been. They wouldn't age, they wouldn't have children again, they could do more of what Captain America could than what a normal human woman could. They... couldn't comprehend and accept, so, they spiraled out. That's why they started to condition our minds the way they did by the time Cinderella and I chose to become NIKKEs.
[ She frowns slightly. ] I was struggling with that then. I knew I wasn't really human, but, the thought that nothing about me was still me; the girl I was before? I couldn't handle that. If I turned off the pain to my side, then I wasn't human, because humans can't turn off pain. And everyone kept insisting you were dead...
[ A low breath. ] My conditioning broke... that's why I was the way when you found me. But, you never stopped seeing me as me. The woman you named Ariel, maybe off handedly at first. I didn't have a human name anymore or memories of my human name. Then, JARVIS found out what he did, and... I was able to come to terms with it all.
So, yes! You did that much. You still do that much.
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At the mention of dinner, his shoulders loosen a fraction. ] Fish, steak, burgers... you realize you just listed every food group I recognize, right? But a triumphant return home dinner sounds pretty damn good, for all of us. He earned it. You too.
[ When she shifts closer, leaving the space open instead of closing it for him, Tony takes it. He leans forward just enough that their foreheads rest together. His eyes close for a second as she talks, not to shut her out, but to listen without interrupting, even inadvertently.
When she mentions Tennessee, the humor drains away; it's not replaced by panic this timee, just... a kind of weight. The passage of time doesn’t make it lighter; it just makes it familiar. ]
Hey, you don’t have to justify any of that to me.
[ He opens his eyes then, looking at her fully. ] You wanna know what I saw back then? I saw someone who'd been through hell and was still showing up, someone who was scared and still choosing to care. That’s not hardware. That’s not conditioning. That’s you.
And as far as I'm concerned, being human isn’t defined by aging or feeling or whether you check the right biological boxes. Depending on who you ask, I’ve been failing those tests for a long time. [ He grins for half a second before the grin disappears again. ] You were still you: before, during, after. Naming you didn’t create that. It just acknowledged it.
[ His hand tightens slightly, trying to be an anchor of sorts. ] So yeah, maybe I helped. Maybe JARVIS helped. But you’re the one who survived it, who decided you wanted to survive. That means way more than anything I did or didn't do.
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She gives a wide smile in place of the obvious laugh she is holding in. Peter needs all the sleep he can get! ]
You have to pick one food group for your big dinner. [ Her tone implies a matter of fact. ] Then, I'll make the follow up dinners with the others.
[ Foreheads touching, holding her hands and rubbing circles in them, her playing with his hair. Their hands on each other's cores. Small little gestures that mean the world to her. They're unspoken tokens of affection. Things that ground them to one another. Lifelines when the world goes out of shape and all they have is one another.
Tennessee is never a good topic--even years later. The now teenager, Harley, that Tony sponsors is the one good thing that happened from that trip. Information about the Mandarin and his bombs was needed. Tony having time off grid with his suit and with normal people was also needed. But, the only thing that makes Tony smile about the whole affair is Harley.
And the fact that she didn't die as well.
"You're the one thing I can't lose... won't lose."
Peter is another one of those people now.
Someone showing up is one of the things that matters the most to Tony.
Her eyes close as she holds his hand in return and closes her eyes. ]
Tony, [ a tone she uses very rarely. The soft one filled with all the emotions she feels towards him. Love, admiration, a tad of hero worship, and a desperation for him to notice what she is feeling.
Her eyes close. ]
There's no "maybe." You saved me. Me. Your Little Mermaid--Ariel. [ A sad tight smile shows on her face. ] If a NIKKE fell to a mind switch? She either shut down entirely... or her personality changed. Sometimes even memories went away. Almost like a dissociation from trauma.
Even if I'm strong? Even if I kept fighting, and chose to show up? It would have happened at any time. If you never saw me? Or... or if you thought I wasn't me after seeing what the bubbles had done to my hands, or the injuries on my side, or anything JARVIS saw on the screen... I would have stopped fighting.
[ A shake of her head. ] You were the first person outside my squad to ever see me. The only person who could look past everything I can make and what I was changed into. You saw me even when I wasn't looking for someone to notice.
I might be all those things you said, but, without you? I would have stopped being those a long time ago. [ Rotting away in Stark Industries. ] Tony... I love you. You're my world, my hero, my prince. Even if you don't really believe in fairytales, or mermaids, or the idea we were meant for each other? You're all those things and more to me. You'll always be those things to me. So... there is no "maybe". You did save me.
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You don’t get to say things like that and then expect me to just let it sit. And I didn’t save you because I’m some knight, or prince, or whatever storybook title people like using. I saved you because I saw someone who was still there, still thinking, still choosing, still fighting, and like hell was I going to just let you get written off as collateral.
[ His thumb brushes along her cheekbone as he continues. ]
So if I hadn’t shown up, that would’ve been the end, huh? I don't buy that. You were yourself. Maybe you were heading for a mind switch or whatever the hell it is, but you were still you. I just happened to be the idiot stubborn enough to show up and refuse to let it get any worse than it already was.
[ He pins her with a look, sharp and pointed. ]
You didn’t survive because of me, you know that, right? I'm convinced that's not how it went. You survived because you chose to. Maybe it would've been easier to shut down and disappear, but you didn't.
[ He's not arguing for the sake of arguing. He actually has a point he's trying to make here. ]
And yeah, maybe things would have gone differently if I'd never seen you, but it started with you. The reason you’re here arguing with me about dinner food groups is you.
I didn't believe in fairytales before I met you, but then you walked in and... maybe fairytales are just a little more believable.
[ He pauses and it takes him a little bit longer than usual to find exactly what he wants to say, but once he does, it comes out easily enough. ]
And since we’re being very clear tonight... I love you too. Not “maybe.” Not “what if.” Not someday. Right now.
[ And then he shifts positions like he wants to kiss her. ]
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After all, Tony and Dr. Strange are still human!
Tony isn't a real prince through titles or land. He may not even have the stereotypical attire, attitude, or presumed prestige. That isn't what makes him her prince. It's the fact that he saved her from not only containment, but, what was sure to be an inevitable break at some point. "Ariel"--as he named her--wouldn't really exist anymore. Some other identity or concept of "Little Mermaid" would. Not the original girl who gave her life away to save others.
He may not have even liked--let alone loved--another version of herself.
Even then? Little Mermaid knows when he is making a point. It's always a form of "Hey", said in a particular way to drive his point home. Or, if he wants her attention on nothing else other than what he is saying. ]
That's what makes you my prince and not someone else's. [ She tilts her head into his touch just enough to really feel the emotions he is trying to share. ] No one else saw any of that. No one cared. No one noticed. You did. The person just for me.
[ His sharp look earns another faint smile tinged in guilt. Yes, it was mostly because of him. She had no one else at the time. She kept fighting in the containment block to keep her promise to Cinderella... but, beyond that? It was because there was someone worth fighting for. Someone that thought she was worth fighting for.
Part of her--that lonely part she only lets show now and again--really did want to stop fighting. Trying. Surviving. ]
Maybe once you're ready for a big showy party again, I should dress up. Just like a fairytale you'd think of, not me. [ Her expression turns fond as she tries to match his humor. ] I keep fighting because there is someone who wants me to. Someone who sees me as his Goddess of Victory, even if he insists I don't need to define myself that way. I want to be that inspiration and hope for my prince. That way he can keep fighting too.
[ Fighting to stay together... it really fits them. Doesn't it?
She meets him in his attempt to move in order to kiss. A slow, gentle, but still filled with all the love she can muster to put into the motion. There has never been a doubt since their home in Malibu was destroyed that he loves her. She knows he does. Others might question it, but she knows it deep down in her heart. ]