This is supposed to act as a sequel oneshot to this awesome fic called "Shed Your Skin" found on Ao3 where Peter runs away and assumes the identity of Eduardo Saverin, leading to events described in the film, The Social Network. (It's a unique way to crossover, okay!) It sounds weird, but read that fic up there first and then take a shot at this one. I hope it's good!
Also, for intents and purposes, let us forgo things like appropriate timelines and the fame of Eduardo Saverin, because if I have to figure out another screwed up timeline and explain things -I think I'm going to yell.
Title is from Florence + the Machine's single "Breath of Life."
He thought he'd be surprised when they showed up on his front door, but in retrospect, he had always suspected he couldn't run away from them. Sure a few high school friends were easy to trick. He'd even gotten off Norman Osborn's radar. Try as he might, there was no escaping S.H.I.E.L.D. or whatever person they sent to bring him in. In this case, much to his surprise, it was the cocky billionaire –Tony Stark- who had contacted him under an alias as a potential business partner.
Really though… He should have known.
"Peter Parker," the man at the door said when Eduardo opened it.
"I'm sorry?" Eduardo replied, playing the confused card.
"The reaction I was looking for was more of 'Why is Iron Man standing at my door?' I have to ask though… Singapore? The land of wacky rules and no gum? Sounds harsh."
"I'm sorry. What are you here for?"
"You," Tony answered as-a-matter-of-factly. "Oh, don't give me that," Tony grimaced as Eduardo narrowed his eyes. "Have to give you credit for getting off the grid though, well almost."
"I can call security," threatened Eduardo.
"I bribed security."
"What do you want?"
"We," Tony emphasized, "want Peter Parker back –and Spiderman with him."
"It's not happening."
"Yeah see, that's where you're wrong. We've got friends higher up than your friends, Parker. I don't think you and your net worth can escape that."
"That's enough, Stark," came another voice. Eduardo craned his head and saw a figure emerge from the elevator across the hall. He looked dangerous. If there was one thing Eduardo could handle, it was a stuck-up billionaire dressed in a three-piece suit with no sign of high-tech armor anywhere. A tall man with an intimidating eye-patch, long trench coat and strategically unconcealed holster? Not so much.
That was Peter's job.
"Nick Fury," the man introduced. Eduardo watched as Tony stepped aside for the man. "My team can have a well-sourced article citing multiple instances of money laundering out in the next hour and have it the headline on every major news channel in less than 24." Eduardo glared at the man angrily, as if challenging him to go through with his threat. He invented himself once, but it was a one-time-only party trick. He'd gotten a bit too big. Fading out of the Facebook scene and moving to Singapore was meant to remove himself from the public scene again, but no matter what he did, there would still be an imprint.
"Now that's a face of a soldier." The corners of Fury's mouth arched up in what was supposed to be a triumphant smirk. "I'd like to recruit you to the Avengers Initiative."