Mandarin had a thing for making news it seemed. It was new to me but not to the Marvel heroes of this reality that had dealt with him before. "Tony Stark thinks he can stop the spread of communism through his action barbie wonder woman...now iron patriot... Does anyone really believe this nonsense will work...? People suffer in poverty like never before. What does 'poor man' Stark know about such things? He's never been poor in his life? Before I became a 'demon' I knew poverty - and this was centuries ago. But I never forgot what it was like... As a supernatural being now I never could. This war of mine isn't about making things better for me; I am beyond such suffering now. It is about making a better world for those that still toil and suffer day in and day out without resolution. Inflation, cost of living and everything else that capitalism breeds is an evil unto itself; and they say I'm evil! Stark and his father are both famous for being part of the military industrial complex; they can't deny that. How could they? They're the war profiteers that kept travesties like the wars in Korea and Vietnam going forevermore; now the so called war on terror... This war has always been economic; it always will be. Today, my fellow human brothers and sisters, we shall make the world free of greed once and for all. Where government is the only god you need; where your rights will be ensured..."
I shut off the news. Peter scoffed. "Jesus that guy is a total windbag." "Happy warned me that he was." I sat beside my man and we snuggled on the sofa in our Stark tower apartment. Our nano suit power cores were on the nearby table; compact and light as phones. All we had to do was attach them and boom! - Iron Patriot and Iron Spider emerged nearly instantly. Awesome!
Jack came over to us. "You guys get to hog all the action nowadays!" "Sorry about that pal," I said rubbing the top of the "dog's" head. "But this is also a symbolic fight for America's soul we're fighting right now. Pegasus isn't needed right now either." "Right tool; right job," said Peter. I nodded. Jack still didn't like it. "I still thought we were a wonder team...?" "We are Jack; but we're also part of team iron man and the avengers and others yet," I said. Peter said, "You realize Jack we three are some of the most powerful beings in this entire reality right?" "How could I forget? Yet I'm still treated like a shivering Chihuahua instead of the divine Malinois war dog that I really am." Peter rolled his eyes/shook his head. "You tell him hon; it's your team."
I set my feet to the ground smiled took Jack's face into my hands and rubbed his face affectionately. "I know it's hard buddy, but you got to be patient. Can you do that for me?" "You're Zeus' heir; how could I not?" "Ever the loyal soldier." I kissed the top of his head. That seemed to work; he trod off to other dog things. Peter scoffed. "You really have a way with them. They're like kids." My husband took me into his arms again; I rested against him and put my hand on his chest. "Yes they are." "...I know about the agreement with your old man...but I still think you'll make a fine mom someday." "And you'll make a nice father Pete."
He grew a little distant at that. "I hope so. If I'm anything like my Uncle Ben when we have children...then I can say I did right." I looked up into his eyes; I could see the doubt/insecurity there. "You were a fine man long before you met me; you were already a superhero. You'll be a better man yet; you'll see." He looked into my eyes. "You think so?" "Would I have married you if I didn't?" He smiled. "Hell, you literally went to hell to get me out... MJ never did anything like that for me..." "You would have done the same for me." He took my hand into his; he looked over/touched it fondly; he nodded slowly. "I would."
We just stayed there curled up together in comfort in our new long term home as both Stark scientists and superheroes. Our patience/endurance/suffering had paid off. It would continue to do so. I'd also make sure I took Pete out with me more on jobs. It was my nature to work alone to protect others from getting hurt (mostly due to brother); but Peter wasn't mortal anymore. None of that mattered. He also didn't just look to me for love; he looked to me for guidance; I was definitely his elder after all. I would do that and so much more for him... We fell asleep in each other's arms on the sofa. Yes the world was still as crazy as ever out there, but in here, we were at peace. It was this time spent here that would help us to save the world again (and strengthen our love). I was truth god certain of that.
