Alsycia: I really love that you're liking this fic! I'm updating as much as possible! Promise!
Fanatic2018: Hahaha pain makes us love the pleasures in life more. Like updates!
Poohbear123: I'm so glad you like it!
Alyscia: Oh yeah, Tony cares, even though he acts like...well, Tony haha!
CaffeineAddict: That's what I like to hear! And as to Friday, I know Tony programmed her as nothing like Jarvis because of the Ultron thing, but I couldn't make her that way! I saw her acting like Jarvis, but with a lot more control over her programming.
Alyscia: *small voice* SHIT!
The sun woke Peter the next day and he groaned, rolling over and pushing his face into his pillow. The ringing from last night had stopped. What was it that caused it? He didn't know, but he was determined to find out. But, sleep first.
"Peter, it is ten-thirty in the morning. I told you staying out that late would affect your sleep. Teenagers need as much sleep as a newborn baby." Friday's voice came through the speakers of the TV in the bed. The boy groaned, then shot up. Where was he?
Suddenly memories came flooding back and he flopped back. He was at Stark Tower, having been chosen by Mr. Stark to spend two months with him. He snorted. It sounded like Little Orphan Annie, and that made him sick. "Can't I sleep a little more?" he whined to the AI.
"Mr. Barton has also made pancakes for breakfast."
Peter had to wonder about that. How would eating breakfast be like for them now? It wasn't like they knew who he was...or did they? He had to swallow. No, it was impossible. He had to just keep his cool and act normal. So, getting up, he tried to fix his bed-head, but gave up when his curls decided to be stubborn and walked out into the kitchen.
"Well, well, look who's alive," Clint called from the stove. He had on a blue apron labeled 'don't kill the chef' and was flipping pancakes on the griddle.
Peter merely groaned and shuffled to the coffee pot then stopped. Where were the cups?
"Here," Pepper said walking into the room and giggling at the sleepy boy. "How did you sleep?" She ran a hand through his hair, smiling softly as she tried to tame his curls.
"Fine, thanks." Peter poured himself black coffee and took a sip, the fingers running through his hair making him groan in happiness. It felt like what Aunt May used to do in the mornings.
"Good. Tony won't be here, he's working, but I figured that we could go shopping? Maybe get some lunch?" Tony had told her what Peter had said and she knew not to pity him, but she wanted to show him she actually cared. "What do you say?"
The boy stared at her with a confused look before blinking. "Oh, oh yeah...that sounds great. What are we going for?" Pepper smiled.
"Surprise. Have some breakfast and go get ready." She wanted to plant a kiss on the teen's forehead, but stopped herself. It was way too soon for that.
"Okay, thank's, um...is it Ms. Potts, or Mrs. Stark?"
"It's Pepper," she smiled. "I don't want to be called Mrs. anything, okay?" She wanted the boy to call her something else, but once again, too soon. "Call me when you're ready." And she walked out, her phone in her hand.
"Well, that was different," Sam said in a shocked tone. "I've never seen her do that, not even to Tony." That made Peter look at him.
"What's wrong with what she was doing? I...I kinda like it. My Aunt May used to do that in the mornings," he stared at where Pepper had been with a tiny smile.
"Uh oh," Rhodey smiled. "I think Pepper's gonna turn into a Mama Bear." He smiled brilliantly at Peter. "No one better mess with the kid!" The team laughed at the boy's now red face as he tried to hide it in his coffee cup.
"Here, eat so you don't keep her waiting." Clint remembered the meals from yesterday and had piled Peter's plate with pancakes. The boy took the plate and started stuffing the food into his mouth with Natasha and now Wanda watching in astonishment as the plate was polished off in ten minutes.
"I'm done! Thanks, Mr. Barton, they were really good. Where do I put the plate?"
"Just put it in the sink, one of us usually does the dishes." Peter frowned.
"But I feel bad...," he looked around the room.
"Don't kid. Tomorrow night we'll have you do dishes, how does that sound?" The kid smiled and put his dish in the sink.
"Deal. I'll go get ready. Thanks again!"
"Have you ever seen a kid eat that much?" Wanda asked, picking at her one pancake. Everyone shook their heads. She had to watch that boy...there was something about him.
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"Sorry Ms. Pepper!" Peter huffed as he stopped in front of the woman waiting in the building's lobby.
"Just Pepper is fine," the woman said with a smile. "Happy is going to drive us anywhere we want to go," she said, noting Peter's look with a frown. "And we're going to get you some new clothes, no arguments," she said sternly when the boy opened his mouth. "You can leave them here if you want, okay?"
"Wait, leave them here? You mean in the tower?" Peter was confused.
"Yes. You'll still be an intern, right? We're keeping your room in case you're too tired or...something." She looked at the Peter with such a tender expression, he fidgeted.
"Okay," the teen relented. "But, like, I don't need a lot..."
"You'll get what you get," Pepper said in a stern tone, then softened her expression with a smile. "I promise, it won't be that bad, okay? Just, humor me, hmm?" The boy finally nodded.
"All right. Thank you, Ms-Pepper..." With a nod, Ms. Potts opened the door and slid in, patting the seat next to her where Peter sat.
"Happy, usual place, please?" The man nodded, snorting at the red faced teen next to the boss' future wife. The drive was silent mostly, with Pepper trying to make conversation, but the red faced teen would only nod or stutter a one word answer. After a while she gave up, chuckling while looking at her phone.
When they pulled up to a storefront, Peter could only stare at the fancy place in front of him and groaned. "Here? Why can't we just go to Wood-bridge mall or something?" he asked, his eyes pleading. In the front Happy snorted, shaking his head.
"No. Because of the press conference yesterday, you're face is everywhere right now , so we go into the heavily guarded stores right now. Please Peter? For my sake?" the woman gave him a look and he sighed.
"Ok...If I can have a friend over today?"
"Deal. I'd love to meet your friends." Peter opened the door and stepped out, Pepper following after telling Happy to come with them. The tall security guard got out, fixing his sunglasses on his face. Together the trio made their way into the store, where they spent pretty much the entire afternoon buying Peter a whole new wardrobe, much to the teen's displeasure.
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It was time for lunch and Peter was sitting in a fancy restaurant on fifth avenue, head in his hand. He was so not used to this. What he wouldn't give for a sandwich from Delmar's right now.
"What's wrong?" Pepper asked, worried Peter had gotten sick.
"It's just...this is very nice, but I'm not used to...well, this," he moved his hand over the table. There were crystal glasses with lemon slices floating in sparkling water next to salad plates which had gold around the edges. "I'm just not fit for this lifestyle, I guess? I don't know...I mean, it's not that I'm ungrateful, I really am! But...this isn't me." He gave a bashful look to the woman who was nodding.
"I get it. So, why don't we get out of here and go somewhere else? You tell me where you'd like to go, and we'll go." Peter smiled at that.
"Okay. I know the perfect place! Happy, let's go!" He shot out of the restaurant with a happy bounce, the man following as close as he could. Peter had gotten into the car, bouncing in his seat as he waited for Pepper, who slid in and Happy got into the driver's seat.
"Where to, Ms. Potts?" he asked.
"Peter?" the woman looked at the energetic boy, smiling at the sparkle in his eyes.
"I know just the place. Delmar's Deli on 2nd and Queens Avenue."
"I know that place," Happy said, pulling out into traffic. "Best sandwiches in Queens." Peter nodded enthusiastically.
Walking into the deli felt just like old times. He turned around, expecting to see Aunt May, but Pepper Potts was standing in her place, and for some reason, Peter was okay with this.
"Peter?" a thick accent asked and the boy turned with a smile.
"Hey, Mr. Delmar!" He presented a fist to the man, who pounded his own against the boy's.
"It's been a long time, eh? Oh, who's the pretty Senorita. Peter, you been holding out on me?" He winked at Pepper, who smiled and shook her head.
"It's nice to meet you. I'm Pepper Potts," she extended a hand toward him, which the man took and kissed the top. "I hear you make the best sandwiches." The man smiled proudly and nodded.
"Yes I do! And I have just the sandwich for you, pretty lady! " He turned to the man waiting behind the deli counter. "Hazme un español especial, pesado en el español, ¿eh?" He tried his winning smile on the smirking Pepper. "Just you wait. Usual for you, Peter? If I still remember, you like the number five squished really flat." The boy nodded. "And how about you, big guy?"
Happy scolwed. "I'll take the Italian," was all he said, watching his charges move around the store. The teen came back with a pack of gummy worms and a bottle of soda. "You'll rot your teeth like that, kid," he warned.
Peter just smirked, knowing full well because of his advanced healing, his teeth hadn't had a cavity in months.
Once they're sandwiches were made and paid for-at a discounted price for Pepper- they made their way out to the car and started eating. One her first bite, Pepper's eyes went wide. "Holy crap!" she exclaimed, nodding. "Okay, this is the best sandwich I've ever had."
"Told you," Peter said between bites. "It's been ages since I've been here and...hey, what's that?" He pointed out the window, seeing a man standing on top of a building. Peter couldn't really see him, but it looked like his eyes were glowing white. "Holy shit, is he gonna jump!?" Peter put aside his sandwich and watched the man worriedly.
Pepper smacked the boy's arm. "Language. And I don't know, but I hope not. Maybe we should get out and check. You," she pointed to Peter with a stern look, "stay here. Got me? No arguments. Happy, let's go." The driver smiled at Peter and got out, locking the car while he did.
"Oh man, this sucks! I can't get out without the alarm going off. Unless..." he took his phone out and quickly dialed Ned, who's home was less than a block away.
"Hey Peter!" the boy answered on the second ring. "What's up?"
"Hey, I need you to bring the suit out. Can you do that?" He really needed to think of another plan for his suit. Maybe he could build something like Mr. Stark had a while ago where his suit came to him. He would need to work on that in his room.
"Oh, yeah, sure. Do you need your guy in the chair?" Peter's friend asked hopefully.
"Not today, I don't think. But, I will have communications open, okay? Hurry, because I think there's a guy about to jump!"
"Oh shit, really!? Sorry mom! I'll be right out!" and Ned hung up while Peter just stared at the man. He seemed familiar, but yet not. His skin was pitch black and his eyes and hair were a strange white-ish color...he almost looked like a photo negative. Peter saw his friend hurrying towards the corner and smiled. Now he had a reason to leave the car.
Quickly he threw open the door, ignoring the alarm and ran towards Ned, panic on his face just in case Pepper or Happy had seen him."Ned!" he called, waving as his friend turned to him. Said boy handed Peter a small bag discreetly. "Act scared," Peter whispered, and Ned nodded.
"Come on, you don't need to see this!" Ned shouted over the screaming people, and pulled Peter into an alleyway, where the boy started changing. "How was your first night in the tower?" he asked instantly, dying to hear about the high tech world his friend now lived in.
"Eh, not much to tell. But, the shower is awesome! When you come over, I'll let you play with every button in there. There's even a massage option, where these little massagers come out of the walls and floor of the hot tub."
"You got a hot tub!? Jealous."
Peter grinned. "Bring your suit and we can go in it. All done. Comms on, I'll see you later!" He leaped and attached himself to the building, scaling it up to the suicidal man. Once he reached the top, he slowly made his way towards the man who looked more and more unreal.
"Hey, mister! Are you alright?" he called. Instantly he wished he didn't, because when the man turned around, a shockingly familiar face stared back at him. Even though his skin was inky looking, Peter could recognize his only parental figure from the home. "Mr. Martin?" he called, his voice cracking. "Mr. Martin, what's wrong? What happened?"
The impostor smiled, his teeth a creepy white against his black mouth. "Mr. Martin isn't here, Spider-Man. Only Mr. Negative." He flipped a knife out, his eyes starting to glow. "And I have been waiting for you...You have been getting in my way, bringing your friends the Avengers into my business, causing me to loose money.." He clicked his tongue like you would at a bad puppy. "Not good. Now it's time to make sure you don't interfere again."
Peter was still in shock of seeing Mr. Martin that he didn't register what it meant when the man ran at him and suddenly his senses blared at him to move and the boy dodged the knife at the last second, feeling it graze his suit. "Oh man, I just sewed this!" He shot a web and flung himself away. "I can't fight Mr. Martin!" he said to himself. "No matter who that guy says he is...what do I do?"
Suddenly an arrow came out of nowhere, embedding itself in Mr. Martin's hand and the man cried out.
"NO!" Peter screamed, seeing Clint on the neighboring roof, with Natasha jumping across to land near Peter.
"What's the matter, Spider-Man? Can't handle a little blood? You chose the wrong profession then."
The boy shook his head. "It's not that!" he cried, forgetting to mask his voice, words thick with emotion. "That man, he runs a group home near here!" He looked back, not noticing how Natasha's eyes widened.
It couldn't be...he sounded very much like the boy Stark had just brought into the tower. But, that was impossible...
