He didn't need it. He didn't want it. And for Hell's sake he's not going to try it again!
Connor Hawkings repeated the same mantra in his head as he hit the punching bag. Two hits, one kick. Switch legs. Two hits, one kick. Switch legs.
He had to get better. He had to get faster. And Hell's sake he wasn't going to screw up again!
Piper merely watched, chewing on her 5th wad of bubble gum.
"How long has he been going at this?"
"Three hours since I got patched up."
She held up a stick.
"Want some?"
Tony Stark merely shrugged and plucked it out of her hands.
"Oh...You have fine tastes."
Piper shrugged not looking from Connor.
"I used to steal it all the time."
Stark popped it into his mouth.
"You steal this time?"
"Nope. Mrs. Potts got me a whole box. Part of my bodyguard package she said."
"Ah."
Tony usually knew how to get people to talk, but Piper, former uneducated street vagrant, was not really the talkative type most of the time.
"What happened this time?"
"Usual crazy bullshit. Jarvis fixed me right up. Said I didn't break anything yet."
Tony raised an eyebrow.
"And Connor?"
"Dunno. Being doing this for three hours off and on. Piss breaks and drinking water."
Tony sighed. He would admit openly he was the worst father figure in the universe, but even he could tell that this wasn't normal even for an 17 year old.
"...Listen Piper..."
She finally looked up at him.
"Yeah?"
"Maybe it would be best you guys get out of New York."
Piper's bubblegum bubble popped.
"Can't protect you guys from S.H.I.E.L.D forever. Only reason why you two aren't at one of their bootcamps or in prison is because I'm an Avenger. That and you and Widow really hit it off for some strange reason."
Piper shrugged and gave herself another stick.
"Said I'd make a good spy. Think she knew my mom and dad too."
"Oh..."
"I kinda like the Cap too, but way too uptight. Those two should at least try a date once."
Tony snorted.
"Anyway, I know a place. On the west coast."
"You know, Stark, if you were planning my future, you can at least tell me about it." Connor snapped as he stopped the swinging punching bag. He looked throughly exhausted, but his eyes were a flame with anger and power.
"Well, if you stop beating yourself up over whatever the heck you were, you can join in on the conversation. I swear if you aren't careful, your going to end up like Capsicle."
Connor rolled his eyes and got his water bottle, chugging it down.
"Gonna make yourself throw up." Piper told him.
"Anyway. I got a place, lot safer there than here at the tower."
Connor put the bottle down.
"And since when have you cared about my safety Stark?" The teenager shot back with venom.
"I'm a hero like you, remember? Except I have acutal powers and not a gigantic piggy bank."
Tony scowled.
"Low blows, Connor. But whether you like it or not, I think it's best you get out of New York. Pepper and me have been talking-"
"More like she's putting words in your mouth."
Tony's frown deepened.
"She and I have been talking...and there is a place I think both of you would feel right at home." The man behind Iron Man growled, trying to keep his temper.
"I got an a tower there for business when I can't be asked to go to Miami. I guess you've heard of San Fransokyo?"
"Yeah...Anyone that likes tech goes there to make it big. That's where your dumping me off?"
"Cool. I'm game." Piper answered.
"Never been outside the apple before."
"See? She thinks it's a great idea." Tony said.
Connor scowled.
"Of course she would."
"Meh. Always wanted to travel."
Tony clapped his hands.
"Well then, I don't see why not now. Won't have me breathing down your neck and maybe you guys can finally retire."
"Retire? Really?" Connor said, sarcastically.
Tony sighed.
"Connor, your parents made me your godfather because of your abilities. DO YOU REALLY THINK THEY WOULD WANT THEIR ONLY SON RISKING HIS LIFE!"
"And now I'm getting out of here." Piper said as she sat up, still chewing her gum, and walked calmly to the nearest exit. She slid the door closed behind her and checked her phone. The two men shouted almost completely drowned out.
"Jarvis, let Ms. Potts know that Mr. Stark will need a massage in 5 minutes." She said to the nearest wall camera.
"Of course." The AI replied.
"Also, there soda in the fridge? I'm thirsty."
"All stocked, Miss Piper."
"Cool."
She blew a bubble.
"AI butlers are sick."
After five minutes on the dot, Connor climbed up the stairs to his room he shared with Piper. The other teenager was on her phone, sucking on a soda through a straw.
"Dude's your godfather." She reminded him.
"I know, you don't need to remind me, Piper."
"He's also Iron Man."
"I know."
"He could also kick our hind quarters to Japan and back."
"I KNOW! I know, I got it, I got the concept!" He snapped.
"Sick reference, bro. You get it. You don't got a right to be mad."
"...Sorry."
"You wanna retire? I don't wanna retire. I like being a hero."
"Like Hell, I'm gonna retire."
Piper's stoic face broke out into a grin and turned onto her side.
"Wanna go out on patrol one last time?"
"No. You just got hurt."
Her face fell back to her stoic nature as Connor sat down on his bed.
"Yeah...good point. Stupid gun shot. I need better armor. Need to ask the boss about that."
"Wait, you were shot?!"
"Thought it was a graze but...guess it was worse. I can never tell sometimes...What's school like?"
"Where'd that come from?" Connor asked, slightly confused.
"Dude, never been to school man. Didn't know how to read before you came along remember?"
"Oh... Right."
"You need a shower. I can smell you from here."
Connor made a quick smell check, and moved his face away just as fast in disgust.
"Yeah, you're right about that."
"Always am."
He smiled a bit. He almost lost her today. He almost lost her today and she didn't even know it...He needed to get better. He needed to get stronger...and he needed to make sure that she was his only weakness.
And he was going to make sure it stayed that way. He didn't want to lose anyone else. He didn't care that he was godson to Iron Man. He didn't care that he knew all the Avengers by name...They weren't there to save her...and they won't be there to save him.
He was on his own...just the way heroes needed to be.