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LL Pool J
"Hey! Kid! How's it look?" Tony calls as he walks into the living room wearing his new, and only, pun shirt. Peter turns away from Natasha and Sam to look at Tony, then smiles brightly.
"It's awesome! Do you like it? Aw, I should've worn a pun shirt too. We could've been matching!" He frowns at the realization and glances down to his plan, gray shirt and suede blazer.
"Of course I do," Tony affirms, putting a navy blue blazer on as well. After getting it secured, he grabs his plate of food off the counter and walks over to rejoin them. "What'd I miss?" Sam chuckles, not knowing where to start. Peter talks at an inhuman speed, so you miss a lot in a few minutes.
"Your superhero intern here was just telling us about how he makes his webs," he answers, folding his arms in front of him. Peter nods enthusiastically and picks up right where he left off.
"I was just telling them how I first came up with the formula in the Chem Lab and how I figured out that I needed to use silica gel to purify and activate it and had to slowly heat it for twenty-four hours. That was the tough part 'cause I can't exactly leave the Bunsen burner on overnight in the lab but I don't have a gas supply at home either. It was a lot of trial and error. Did you know that Bunsen burners are named after Robert Bunsen who invented it and looked into emission spectra of heated elements?! He discovered the alkali metals caesium and rubidium with Gustav Kirchhoff with a spectroscope they made! That's why the spectroscopy award is called the Bunsen-Kirchhoff Award." Particularly fulfilled with his recital of facts, he smiles proudly and takes a bite of his food. He isn't the only one with pride in his features, Tony mirroring his expression but it's directed at his mentee.
"Well, aren't you full of fun factoids," Natasha commends, content to listen to the rambling. She appreciates being able to relax without having to look over her shoulder constantly, and Peter is happy to talk to people who are genuinely interested.
"Actually," he says, then remembers to swallow before continuing, "factoids by definition are assumptions that are repeated so often, people start to think they're facts." His correction makes Natasha hum in fascination. It's not every day he gets to break out his facts and he relishes in the moment. Especially with real-life Avengers!
"Your big brain is showing," Tony points out in a teasing tone. May steps out of her conversation momentarily to place a loving hand on Peter's back.
"That's my smart boy," she praises with a motherly undertone. Peter ducks his head a bit and smiles timidly, feeling embarrassment wash over him.
"Sorry," he says to Natasha, but she instantly shakes her head.
"Don't apologize for being smart. It's a nice change of pace from the guys I hang around all day." Natasha gives Sam a slight smirk who immediately looks insulted, raising his eyebrows.
"Oh, is that how it is?" he challenges in good-hearted amusement. Peter would be lying if he said he didn't enjoy seeing them joke around. Natasha shrugs her shoulders, as if she hadn't said anything to begin with, and takes a casual sip of her drink. "You gonna take that Cap?" Sam turns his attention on Steve, who was successfully staying out of the banter up until this point. Steve holds up his hands lackadaisically in surrender.
"If I've learned anything, it's not to argue with Nat," he reveals.
"It's because we always know best," Pepper cuts in, backing up Natasha. May holds up her mug in solidarity while nodding, and none of the guys would dream of disagreeing. Peter suddenly jumps up, the new camera hanging around his neck, as he remembers what he wanted to do as soon as the rogue Avengers walked through the door.
"I almost forgot! We didn't get a picture!" He excitedly rushes to the end of the couch to sit and turns on the camera. As he waits for everyone to get comfortable, he holds up his camera to see if everyone plus himself are in frame. At this angle, it looks like he should be able to fit everyone in. Tony doesn't look particularly happy about commemorating the moment, but thankfully doesn't openly protest.
"You realize you can't share these, right?" Rhodey doubles checks as he makes sure he can be seen without blocking anyone else's face.
"Mhm!" Peter confirms. "It would kinda suck if all of social media knew you guys were here. And they're just for memories anyways." Except for MJ and Ned of course. If he kept something like this from Ned, he'd be breaking some sort of unsaid, best friend rule. When everyone's ready, he counts down and then clicks the button. The shutters close and he quickly pulls it back down to get a good look at the picture.
"Did I blink?" Happy questions from the other end of the couch. "I think I blinked. I'm not photogenic." May pats his shoulder without looking behind her.
"I'm sure you look great," she reassures, instilling more certainty in the man. Peter stares at the family photo, a small smile on his lips as he realizes all the people he cares about who also care about him. It's a nice feeling. Is this what big families feel like? he distantly wonders.
"How does it look?" Pepper inquires, looking over his shoulder. "I have to say, that's a good one. Picture frame worthy." She rubs both of Peter's arms encouragingly, then the kid passes the camera down the line to allow everyone a glance at it.
"Not bad, kid," Tony approves before passing it along. "You made me look as good as I do in person, so I suppose it passes." He has that holier-than-thou aura about him, which signals Peter that he needs to bring him back down a few pegs.
"Thanks, Mr. Stank!" That seems to do the trick when Tony borderline pouts and Rhodey notably gets a kick out of it.
"Better get used to it, man," Rhodey says with a grin. "All damn day." His reminder only serves to make Tony rest his head on the back of the couch in defeat.
"Oh!" Peter abruptly recalls, once again getting up. He couldn't sit still if his life depended on it. "We should take a picture with the internship certificate!" Now that everyone in the room knows his secret identity, not entirely by his choice, he webs the framed certificate and pulls it to his hand. "C'mon, it'll be fun! Like a mini photoshoot," he tries to convince when he notices Tony's apprehensive look. His mentor sighs, trying to hide his smile, then braces his hands on his knees as he stands.
"Fine, but only because I'm wearing my finest attire," he gives in, adjusting his new shirt and blazer. Peter instantaneously lights up and Tony can see how much it means to the kid that he agreed.
"Awesome! We can take them in front of the Stark Industries logo on the way out!" the teen says decidedly. He then goes over to May and Happy, all three of them looking over the photo and how clear it is. In the meantime, the others chat to pass the relaxing time and Steve shockingly ends up starting a conversation with Tony.
"He's a good kid," he starts off. Tony glances up to him, then to Peter. The kid is talking rapidly with his hands, waving his arms around to accentuate his words like he always does when he's passionate.
"The best," he genuinely agrees. He reservedly sniffs, keeping his eyes on Peter in hopes that it'll send the message that he isn't in the mood for smalltalk. Of course, much like his lifelong lack of luck, Steve either doesn't acknowledge or doesn't notice the hint.
"I appreciate you trusting us enough to do this for him. It seems like it helped." Steve's eyes wander to the kid as well, who is now explaining something fervently to both Sam and Natasha. It's something about a bird and a plane, but Steve tunes it out in favor of Tony's response.
"This doesn't change anything," he feels the need to say. Despite his resolute tone, even he knows a smidge of that resolve has been chipped away. If anyone can hold a grudge, it's Tony Stark, but he can't deny that they came through for him and Peter today. "But thank you." When Steve looks back to him, Tony isn't making eye contact and doesn't appear as if he said anything at all.
"I meant it when I'll be there if you need us. Me. No matter what. I don't break promises like that." He just hopes that his offer doesn't come across as meaningless because of the past. Tony nods perceptively, then says,
"I know." There's silence in which Steve thinks the conversation is over, until Tony starts up again. "Send me what you have on Electro. I'll see what I can do, but Peter stays out of it," he says before letting the subject drop. He's not writing Steve off; he knows that if it were an emergency he could depend on the man. More so it's the fact that he doesn't feel like showing the emotions, especially with everyone in the room. It was bad enough losing his temper around Peter the last time.
"Mr. Stank!" Tony can't help the chuckle that escapes him at Peter calling him. "Sam doesn't believe I beat a dude with a fishbowl on his head!" Peter calls as if Tony is a lifeline to verify his story.
"That's my cue." With that, Tony gets up to go assist Peter in his retelling of Mysterio and just how much the kid accomplished.
They spend the majority of the day simply enjoying each other's presence, conversing, and occasionally posing for Peter to capture more memories. Peter stays away pool, seeing that as the best option, but ends up demonstrating some of his abilities nonetheless. Sam is more than amused by the spidery powers and thinks it's the best thing ever when he learns the teen can hang from the ceiling merely by his fingertips. As per usual, he doesn't compliment without a few jabs thrown in as well, mostly to keep Peter on his toes. When the sun starts to get lower and the orange glow spills in from the floor-to-ceiling windows, May regretfully calls it a day in order to not miss lighting the hanukkiyah. Luckily, Peter doesn't forget Tony's deal. They ride down a few floors and set up in front of the expansive Stark Industries logo.
"What'd you have in mind?" Tony wonders. "You going to stand on your hands? Swing into frame? Do some fancy acrobatics?" Peter laughs but shakes his head, even though it might've crossed his mind once or twice.
"I was thinking something more like this." He stands next to his mentor, holds up one corner of the certificate, and lifts Tony's hand so that it he's holding the other corner. "See? Now we can both hold it up," he reasons and smiles towards the camera.
"You being all perfect is making me look bad, kid," Tony lightheartedly jokes, nudging Peter's side.
"I can't help it, must be in my DNA." Peter stands up taller, in hopes that he won't look his whole three inches shorter than Tony, and lifts the certificate to their chests.
"You two ready?" May checks, wielding the brand new camera. "That means you have to smile, Tony." Pepper laughs quietly from behind her and Tony relinquishes his façade to provide a wholehearted smile. Peter can tell by Tony's stiff shoulders that he's still guarded around the rogue Avengers, but he's trying to behave normally. However, he saw his mentor talking to Steve without yelling or screaming so he interprets that as progress. They smile and wait for the sequential clicks from the camera. The first few pictures are normal, but nothing ever stays normal when it comes to them. Peter decides to throw up bunny ears behind Tony's head and smiles even wider.
"Don't think I didn't notice that," Tony says after the shutters close.
"Who says I was trying to hide it?" Peter returns with utmost innocence that only he can get away with. And yet, mostly immune to Peter's antics, Tony smirks in response.
"Is that sass I hear? Retaliation? Unacceptable." He pulls the certificate up and tries to cover Peter's face with it while making a face. Peter pushes it out of the way, laughing and standing on his tiptoes to be seen.
"That's not fair! You can't use your height! That's cheating!" he contravenes, but Tony just makes the frame cover the kid's face no matter where he moves. As the two banter, May takes a multitude of hilarious pictures one after the other.
"What's cheating is using your spider senses to win at pool," Tony exculpates without so much as blinking.
"My Spidey Sense doesn't tell me where it hit them!" Peter counters, his sides aching from laughter. Finally, he gives in and stands still instead, but when he tries to pout he can't force the smile off his face. With a corner of the certificate covering his cheek, May snaps another picture.
"You hear that? Sounds like a bunch of excuses to me," Tony playfully teases, but Peter uses his sticky-padded fingers to take back the certificate and doesn't hesitate to flip it upside down. With a shit-eating grin, Peter holds it up for both of them and poses like nothing happened. Tony stands there, his lips pulled into a straight line to try to hide his amusement, and helps hold the bottom of the frame which is actually the top. This kid.
"You hear that? Sounds like defeat to me," Peter shoots back to give him a taste of his own medicine.
"Kid's quick!" Sam shows his support with a smirk to rival Tony's.
"Pick a side, Birdbrain," Tony quips without any indication of a bad conscience. He directs his next words at Peter. "Last I checked, you can't hear me if I'm not talking." Tony's comeback makes something inside Peter's head click. He might be a bit late on Tony's request, but his epiphanies are never prompted anyways. Better late than never!
"Silence is just audible darkness." As soon as he relays the concept, Tony snaps multiple times and points at him.
"That's the thing!" Tony looks to the group to make sure everyone is focusing. "I swear, he pulls them out of thin air." Still, his pride for Peter is palpable.
"But you can't hear silence," Happy speaks up, his eyes narrowed skeptically.
"You can't see darkness either," Peter happily rebutts and Tony pats his back in a congratulatory manner. Steve and Natasha observe the pair, sharing a handful of microexpressions between them. They're both surprised at this softer side of Tony, especially towards a kid. Natasha raises an eyebrow slightly and Steve nods almost imperceptibly.
"And, by the way, birds are actually really smart, especially corvids like ravens and crows," Peter cuts in with another fact.
"Alright, that's it," Tony says, yet only raises a pair of bunny ears behind Peter's head in defiance. "My, how the tables have turned. How's it feel?" he questions, maintaining his straight face while looking straight ahead.
"I dunno, you tell me," Peter retorts as he sticks up bunny ears to mirror Tony's. With both pairs of bunny ears, the certificate upside down, Peter's grin, and Tony's comically serious expression, it makes for one great picture.
"Okie-dokie, boys, I'm cutting you off," May establishes with a chuckle in her voice. "We need to get home, Monster. You ready?" Peter picks his backpack up from the side and slips the certificate into it before putting it on.
"Ready!" Yet, he turns to Tony again, rocking nervously from tiptoes to heels with his eyes downcast. His voice is lowered so that only Tony can hear him. "Thanks a lot for today, Mr. Stark," he says genuinely, sobering up from the jokes of the day. "It meant a lot to have everyone here. I haven't ever had something like this and I know why you did it…and it makes a difference. A big one. And…and I, uh, I think of you as family. So. It was nice to spend the day with family." He clears the emotion from his throat and wiggles his toes. After a few seconds, Peter fears he overstepped some kind of boundary without even realizing it. You made it too personal. He doesn't do good with feelings and you just made it all about feelings. He feels awkward and you made it weird and now he's
This time, his thoughts are cut off by Tony initiating an unexpected, gentle hug. Tony is rarely the one to initiate hugs, if the night where he dropped him off after Germany is anything to go by, so it takes Peter a minute to mentally catch up. After it sinks in, he tightly hugs Tony back and fights to keep the tears at bay, mainly to not embarrass them both in front of the rest of the team. His hands grip the back of Tony's blazer, but he can't will the wobble out of his voice.
"Thank you," he repeats, but it's for a different reason. Tony's eyebrows come together in confusion as he tries to decipher the meaning behind it.
"For what?" he asks for clarification after a few seconds.
"For caring so much." Peter didn't think a single trip to Germany would lead to this, never in a million years, but he wouldn't change anything. Everything they've gone through has led to this moment, so he wouldn't change a single decision.
"You don't have to thank me for that," Tony sighs, shaking his head at Peter's tendency to devalue himself. The implication is that Peter assumes that people won't care, therefore he feels the need to thank those who do. "It's unconditional, bud." His honest tone causes Peter to nod. After another, deep breath, Peter pulls back with that radiant smile on his face. The kind that makes Tony's heart melt and his false front fade. He gives the kid a few pats on the back, then they're walking to everyone, meaning the goodbyes are about to start.
"Thanks again for showing up," Peter says, looking between Steve, Natasha, and Sam. "It was crazy having everyone here and it was great just talking, y'know?" His anxiety is shining through, but the grin never leaves his face. Steve places a strong yet reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"Heroes have to stick together, right?" Peter's eyes slowly widen in the realization that Captain America just called him a hero. He corrects himself from earlier, this is the best day of his life.
"Absolutely, sir! I mean Steve! Thank you! Again!" he flounders for words, but settles for shaking Steve's hand.
"Stay safe out there," Steve lightly orders, returning the smile. Peter rapidly nods without so much as thinking of going against the captain's words.
"And next time we're in town, I'm expecting a rematch," Sam promises self-righteously. Peter has experienced enough of Tony's ego to be able to handle Sam's with a breeze.
"Can't wait to lose again?"
"Don't get too big for your britches, Shortie," Sam warns, but holds out a hand and, once Peter accepts it, pulls him in for a casual bro hug.
"I'm always here if you need me to knock someone into next week," Natasha coolly chimes in with complete candidness. Peter takes her word for it, having no reason to doubt her, and nods once.
"Might have to take you up on that one day." He rubs the back of his neck, but secretly hopes he'll never have to cash in the favor. If he were forced to do that, the circumstances would be so bad that his first choice, Tony, wouldn't have been enough. A frightening thought, to say the least. Still, Natasha offering her personal help is surreal. After hugs and goodbyes all around, he gladly accepts his camera back and waits until he's in the car before flipping through them.
"That was certainly eventful," May comments with a chuckle once they're in their own space. "You made out like a bandit today. That was nice of Tony to do." Peter isn't entirely sure if she's referring to the camera or the rogue Avengers, but concludes that she probably means everything.
"Right? I wasn't expecting anything, really." He looks down at the camera held gingerly in his hands, a ghost of a smile still on his lips.
"I'm glad you had fun, sweetheart. Sometimes it's nice to take things slow and relax." As she talks, May starts their drive and pulls out of the parking garage. When Peter gets to the last picture of their impromptu photoshoot, he notices something a bit fishy…
"You took a picture of us hugging?" he questions, half whining half glad he has the visual memory.
"It's not my fault you two were being adorable," May defends with a knowing glance before turning her eyes back on the road. She isn't oblivious to how close they've gotten. No one is. In between talking with May on the way home, Peter texts his best friends in their group chat that has gathered too much virtual dust.
Our Dysfunctional Family
Peter: we finished at the twoer! youll never guess what happened today i have so much to tell you guys kndjfvhbjshdfbhs
MJ: We're off to a great start, can't wait to hear about it.
Peter: leave me and my typos alOne
Ned: PETER PETER PETER TELL US EVERYTHING
Ned: IVE BEEN WAITING ALL DAY FOR THIS ITS LIKE SECOND CHRISTMAS .)
MJ: We don't know if it's going to be THAT interesting.
Peter: MJ
Peter: its THAT awesome
MJ: Okay, color me intrigued. Do elaborate.
Peter: SO
Ned: im so excited
MJ: He's taking a while to type it out so maybe we need to mentally prepare.
Ned: nothing can prepare us for this moment
MJ: Good point.
Peter: it started off pretty normal, just hanging out and talking with May, Rhodey, Mr. Stark, Pepper, and Happy. then we started opening presents and everyone loved everything which was cool and Mr. Stark got me a Sony Alpha 7R IV aaaaaaAAAAAAAHHHHH
Ned: NO? WAY? THAT'S CRAZY I CAN'T BELIEVE HE ACTUALLY GOT YOU THAT I GOT RELEASED OH MY GOD
Peter: IKR I WAS FREAKING OUT BUT GUES S WHAT IT GETS BETTER
Peter: he got me a frEAKING FRAMED STARK INTERNSHIP CERTIFICATE LIKE A REAL ONE I ALMOST LOST MY MIND
Ned: YOUVE GOTTA BE KIDDING ME DSKDSHDJFBHSJKFSHS THATS LIKE THE BADASSEST THING EVER DUDE HOW ARE YOU STILL ALIVE
Peter: WHOO KNOWS I COULD BE A GHSOT I DUNNO BUT ITS SO SURREAL
MJ: I have to admit, that's pretty rad. Congrats, nerd! Now you're a professional nerd.
Peter: RIGHT?
Peter: AND IT GET R
MJ: Better than your lifelong hero giving you a personal award and a high-end camera?
Peter: y E A H
Ned: IMPOSSIBLE
Peter: VERY POSSIBLE
Peter: HE INVITED
Peter: AND I KID YOU NOT
Peter: BLACK WIDOW CAPTAIN AMERICA AND FALCON
Ned: HOW IS YPUR LIF DNJNFBVJDFBJHSDBSHJBDS
Ned: I CANT BREATHE OH MY GONJFNGBJHSJKDS YOU HAVE TO TELL US EVERYTHING
Ned: DONT LEAVE ANYTHING OUT
MJ: Okay I rarely get excited about this type of thing but I need a reenactment from start to finish. Mostly Black Widow oriented. And was Tony okay with them around? Did you have to pretend you were a random intern? Is Captain America as tall in person? I need answers.
Peter: it was actually pretty chill after i finished nerding out! dont worry i told Natasha that shes cool and that you look up to her
MJ: Good, because I do. We need more woman superhero rep.
Ned: heck yeah representation is important .)
Ned: ALSO CAPTAIN AMERICA?! DETAILS
Peter: UM I MEAN HES CAPTAIN AMERICA
Peter: WAY COOLER THAN THE VIDES THEY SHOW US IN GYM AND DETENTION AND YES HE'S SUUUUUUPER TALL MJ AND REALLY POLITE BUT FUNNY. SAM WAS A LOT OF FUN AND ISNT AFRAID TO MAKE FUN OF MR. STARK
MJ: I knew those videos wouldn't do him justice.
MJ: Sounds like an exciting time, even for you.
Peter: YEAH IT WAS GREAT and i mgihtve accidentally given away my secret identity again by spearing a cue ball but we'll just ignore that rn
Ned: im sorry WHAT? YOU DONT GET TO JUST SKIP OVER THAT
MJ: It's a miracle that you have a secret identity at all.
Peter: I KNWO I KNOW BUT IT WAS AN ACCIDENT WE WERE PLAYING POOL AND STEVE ALREADY KINDA HAD AN IDEA I WAS SPIDEY SO NO HARM NO FOUL
Ned: DUDE CAN WE HANG OUT AT THE TOWER TOMORROW SINCE WE DONT HAVE FAMILY STUFF TO DO AND WE MISSED THE BEST DAY EVER AND I MISS YOU GUYS
MJ: I'm down for a Tower trip tomorrow. I'm sure Stark would love to catch up and answer some new queries…
Peter: i'll check with him to make sure but that should be okay! maybe we can do some suit upgrades together too! other stuff keeps getting in the way but i need to be ready for the next scorpion attack. ive started patrolling around the daily bugle but no sign of him yet
Ned: y e s we're going to make the best upgrades to beat scorpion into the ground
MJ: Count me in.
Peter: and and nand Mr. Stark and i had the best random photoshoot with the certificate before we left
Ned: PICTURES!
Peter: we just got home so give me a sec to download them and then i'll send!
Ned: YAY
MJ: I can already feel that these are going to be great.
Ned: i think we're watching history in the making
Ned: we're apart of history MJ
MJ: We literally help a superhero and this is the part we're making history with?
Ned: history is retold by the winners and we're winning
Peter:
Attachment: 4 images
Ned: HES WEARING TH T
MJ: I'll admit you guys look kind of cute. Those are good photos.
Peter: HE I S IT WAS GREAT
Peter: aw thanks MJ :) one of the perks of being Spidey is getting Mr. Stark to wear pun shirts
MJ: You obviously haven't learned your lesson if you're still giving away your identity over text.
Ned: nah its okay our FBI agents are cool
Peter: yeah Judas and ADAM wouldnt rat us out like that
MJ: I'm sorry, who?
Peter: Judas and ADAM!
Ned: we named our FBI agents after vines
Ned: you should give yours a name too!
MJ: I don't have an assigned FBI agent, I use a VPN.
Peter: thats actually very…you
MJ: Thank you, I try.
By the time he wraps up texting, the sun is just starting to set so he and May gather at the hanukkiyah for songs, games, and delicious sufganiyot. Once things quiet down more and the busy day catches up with them, they retire to their rooms for some much needed rest. Peter legitimately considers going to sleep early since he's going to be patrolling all day, then has Elijah's birthday party to attend, and then has another evening to spend at the Tower. It'll be a lot of socializing for one day, but he's excited just thinking about it. Speaking of which, he realizes he still needs to ask Tony if it's okay for them to come over. Lying back in bed, he grabs his phone and pulls up his conversation with Tony.
Mr. Iron Man
Peter: hey Mr. Stark! i know i've said it like a million times but thanks again so much for the camera and certificate and everything! i was talking to ned and MJ and they were wondering if we could come over tomorrow to hang out and work on the suit? they were bummed that they missed hanging out today. if we cant its totally cool! i just wanted to check before randomly showing up
Peter: i rambled again, my bad
Peter: but youre used to that by now and i think that if it bugged you you wouldnt still talk to me
Peter: and now i'm spamming you ndkjdfbhfs sorry!
Tony: No apologies, kid. Yeah that works for me, we should be working with an empty house. I was planning on making it a workshop day anywho
Tony: Have anything in mind?
Peter: i really wanna finish as many upgrades as spiderly possible before scorpion attacks again
Peter: besides that i just have patrol at the daiky bugle and Elijah's birthday party
Tony: Woah Elijah Bennett?
Tony: And did you just use the term "spiderly" instead of "humanly"
Peter: yes and yes :)
Peter: Mr. Bennett texted me this morning asking me if i could go bc Elijah wanted me there
Peter: and i said yes obviously
Tony: That's awesome Pete it's good to hear you're going
Tony: And I still feel like there's a but
Peter: who says theres a but thers no but why would there be a but
Peter: okay i suck at evading stuff even over text no need to point it out
Tony: What's on your mind
Peter: its just that he wants ME to be there specifically and i dont understand why
Peter: first time he saw me i couldnt save his mom and the second tiem it was to say sorry for not saving his mom
Tony: The first time you met him you saved his life bud
Tony: And the second time he got to hug his hero
Tony: What happened is a tragedy and we already talked about how it's not your fault, which it isn't, and you did the best you could for that family after the fact. Trust me, you going to his birthday will mean the world, don't be too hard on yourself
Peter: yeah youre right i'll try
Peter: i appreciate it Mr. Stark
Tony: You got it, kiddo
With renewed hope for tomorrow, Peter puts his phone away and manages a deep night's sleep for once. When he wakes up, he realizes it might have even been the best sleep he's had in recent memory. He hasn't slept this well since embracing Spider-Man, so he takes that as a sign that maybe the universe might be pitying him after all these years. It's unlikely, but still he has that newfound hope.
"Morning, May!" he greets in a chipper tone, even more so than usual. While he ransacks the kitchen for breakfast, May looks up from her wilting plants on the windowsill with a warm smile.
"You're lively this morning," she points out, misting the deprived leaves. "You must've slept well." When Peter gets his food, he stands next to her, leaning his elbows on the inner sill with his chin in his palms, and inspects the plants.
"Yep! I went to bed early." At his admission, May raises her eyebrows in slight surprise.
"You? Going to bed early? Who are you and what did you do with my kid?" she teases before continuing to mist the plants. Peter chuckles, but brings her up to speed.
"I'm just so popular that I'm booked today," he smugly relays first. May snorts at his facetiously pompous tone and shakes her head.
"Oh yeah?" she plays along nonetheless. "Well, I hope your popular self is going to be safe out there and be home before dark." Behind her jesting words is the genuine concern that parents feel for their children.
"I know, I promise. I'm gonna patrol around the Daily Bugle until one-ish? I think? Mr. Bennett texted me asking to come over for Elijah's birthday," Peter happily informs, already looking forward to it.
"That's sweet. I hope you have fun." May rubs his back and pulls him close to kiss the side of his head.
"And then I'm gonna hang out at the Tower with Ned, MJ, and Mr. Stark. But don't worry! I won't be late and maybe we can catch up on Buzzfeed Unsolved?" Peter offers hopefully. With shrugged shoulders, he awaits May's answer as she feigns deep thought.
"I think we can make that work," she is happy to confirm. "Shane, Ryan, and I will be waiting for you."
"I'll be there," he assures, then turns his attention to the potted plants. "The plants are looking…better?" In his attempt to sound supportive, it comes out as a question.
"Ah, but not as great as my wonderful, completely alive succulent." May holds up the small, synthetic plant with vibrant leaves in its adorable pot.
"It's pretty great, huh," Peter agrees with a proud smile. "I'm gonna start patrol. I'll keep you updated if anything happens!" With his promise, he bounds over to his room to change into his suit.
"Stay safe and have Karen text me every hour!" May calls after him, her overprotective instincts coming out. Peter shouts back in confirmation, eager to get into the suit and spend as much time on Scorpion look-out as possible. I should be able to get in a few hours before the party, then after hanging out at the Tower I can go back out until- wait no, I promised May I'd watch TV with her. Okay, I'll hang out with May and then I'll make a few late night rounds. That'll probably be fine. By the time he finishes mentally scheduling the day, his suit is fashioned tightly to his body, his new camera is around his neck, and he pulls on his mask.
"Good morning, Peter. How are you doing?" Karen kindly asks him once the suit is online. It's been way too long since Peter has talked to her alone without worrying about being pummeled.
"Hey, Karen! It's great to hear your voice," he compliments as he cautiously crawls out of his bedroom window. "I'm doing good, how 'bout you?" The crisp air isn't as penetrating while he swings thanks to the heater and he revels in the way his stomach flips.
"I'm always happy to have company," Karen responds, as polite as usual. Without having to be asked, she automatically pulls up the news and puts the police scanner in the corner of Peter's HUD.
"Aw, you're awesome company. Wouldn't want anyone else." Peter always appreciates her and it'll be relaxing for it to simply be the two of them. He's felt that he hasn't gotten to talk to her as much.
"What are we doing today?" his UI curiously inquires and he realizes that she isn't up to date on their semblance of a plan.
"We're mostly gonna be patrolling around the Daily Bugle building and then we have a birthday party to go to." He keeps his partial attention on his swinging, though at this point it's more second nature, while the other part sifts through the news for anything of interest.
"Will we be seeing J. Jonah Jameson?" Karen asks with a hint of wariness to her electronic voice. Peter chuckles at her tone and her obviously not wanting to have to engage with Jameson after the last time. He can't blame her either, especially when she had to talk him down from panicking.
"Nah, we'll just be hanging around." The pun isn't intentional, but Karen laughs lightly anyway.
"Your play on words is very funny," she compliments in an evidently entertained tone. Peter lands on the top of the Flatiron building and walks to the railing that lines the edges while shaking his head in amusement. He gracefully jumps onto the metal railing and crouches, his elbows resting on his thighs.
"Thanks, Karen. You're my biggest supporter." With his eyes surveying the city below and Jameson's office just a few floors below his feet, he should be able to monitor everything adequately. There's not much on the police scanner, thankfully, but there is a news story that catches his eye. "Hey, could you expand the news window and turn up the volume, please?" His polite request is followed as the voices reach his ears.
"He thinks he can put on some suit and do what we do? We train and risk our lives without some, some superpowers to protect us!" Peter's breath hitches ever so slightly in shock. The policeman stands with his thumbs hooked on his belt and his face red with anger. "Superheroes are takin' matters into their own hands like they're above the law and they're teachin' people that! Next thing ya know we're gonna have people runnin' around makin' more chaos and gettin' hurt! We dunno who's under that mask! For all we know-" The rage-filled rant is cut short by Karen closing the window and Peter jolts back to the present.
"Karen!" he exclaims, his voice cracking in surprise.
"I believe the negative video distracting you from your patrol," Karen counters with an underlying tone of admonishment. However, it softens. "Besides, I found something more appropriate." Before Peter can ask her to clarify anything, another window pops up with two very familiar cops on screen.
"Hey! I know them! They're, they're the police officers who were there when I saved that little girl! The one who signed 'I love you!'" The words fly out of his mouth as his wide eyes try to soak up as much information as possible.
"He was doing everything he could just to stop that guy with the glass helmet. We didn't know what to do, 'cause we didn't know what we were up against, you know? But Spider-Man knew exactly what to do," the policeman says, before his partner takes over.
"We saw him save a deaf little girl's life. He took the hit for her. I don't think anyone who risks their life like that for someone else could be bad. He's a good guy. I've seen it," the policewoman relays resolutely. Peter lets out a small, breathless laugh.
"Looks like there's someone on our side after all. Thanks, I needed that," he admits. A bit of that invisible pressure lift from his shoulders. It's a relief to hear that there's still people out there on his side, even if it feels like the bad outweighs the good sometimes.
"That's what I'm here for," Karen assures with a warm, confident voice. To pass the time, she keeps an eye on the scanner while Peter focuses his attention on the world below and the two casually chat. Well, as casual as a conversation with Peter can be when that entails supervillain updates, Captain America, and lesser known facts that randomly come to mind. After his legs become stiff with pins and needles, he decides to walk around the perimeter of the roof to get a view from all angles. He casually takes pictures of the view as he does so, playing around with lighting and composition. Before he knows it, it's 1:00pm and the patrol has passed uneventfully without a sign of Scorpion anywhere. Did the mental break drive him away? God, I hope he didn't leave the city. May would kill me if I started doing cross-country villain hunts.
"Can you let Mr. Bennett know I'm on my way? And send May another text?" he asks of Karen as he flips off the building and starts swinging back to Queens. Talk about back and forth; he started out at his apartment in Queens, came to the Daily Bugle in Manhattan, now he's going back to Queens for the party, then there's the Tower right in the smack dab middle of Manhattan, and finally he goes back home. I hope I brought enough web fluid refills, he absentmindedly notes.
"They've both been contacted," Karen affirms helpfully. "Be sure to eat something at the party, your blood sugar is low." Peter smiles at her concerned words and nods midair, shooting out another string of webbing.
"Don't worry, I learned my lesson to eat when I need it," he informs and suppresses the thoughts of the fight at the Empire State Building. He's past that. But the Bennetts won't be. He squeezes his eyes shut in hopes of blocking out the intrusive, yet accurate, thought. This isn't the time to start pitying himself, not when he has to be happy for Elijah's birthday. Muscle memory continues the motions of swinging for him while he mentally recovers, then he opens his eyes to the world again.
Swinging past traffic instead of sitting through it is much more efficient, so he arrives fairly quick and lands on the side of the Bennett's apartment complex. He crawls around to the correct window before gently knocking on it. Mr. Bennett's head pokes through the door frame and he jogs over to lift the window open.
"Hey, man. Thanks for coming," he says graciously. The man has his dreadlocks tied up and a crisp, button up shirt on for the occasion. There are dark circles under his eyes, but the hero doesn't comment on them. Peter quickly hops inside the small bedroom with a smile on his face. While it can't be seen through his mask, it can be heard in his voice.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world!" He rubs his hands together, showing his mix of excitement and anxiety. "How, uh, how are you guys doing?" Mr. Bennett keeps his eyes locked on him, most likely debating on what to say, or how much of it.
"We're helping each other," he settles on. "That's what family does. There are harder days and easier ones. Just taking it one at a time." The answer is vague yet telling simultaneously. Peter empathizes with it, but it would be hard not to.
"That's the best thing you can do, Mr. Bennett. And I'm sure it means the world to Elijah and Isaac." He does his best to keep any pity out of his voice and instead fills it with understanding. Mr. Bennett nods gratefully, bumping his shoulder lightly.
"Call me 'Jalen,'" he kindly orders.
"Call me 'Spidey,'" Peter returns, trying to lift the mood some. Luckily, Jalen chuckles with a grin.
"Okay, Spidey," he accepts the challenge, humoring the hero. "You ready to face your toughest opponent yet?" Peter stands up a bit straighter and puts his hands behind his head confidently.
"C'mon, I've fought villains with toxic gas and metal wings and faced half the Avengers. I can handle some kids." His assurances don't stop Jalen from scoffing, who clearly doesn't share in his sentiments. He takes off his pristine camera, just in case, and sets it on a nearby dresser for safe keeping.
"You say that now." Jalen raises his eyebrows and attempts to suppress a smug smile, but doesn't stop the kid from walking out of the room and into the fray.
"No problem!" Famous last words for someone who is immediately tackled to the ground by a group of nine year olds. A chorus of enthusiastic"Spider-Man!"s envelop his senses, causing him to laugh.
"Is this the 'handling' you were referring to?" Karen innocently inquires as the kids climb all over him. "And, just so you're aware, I'm recording this. No exceptions." Well, he should've seen that coming. Besides, who is he to argue when the kid's excited giggles are this cute.
"Oh, you got me! I've been defeated! What a cruel world! You're too strong for me!" he feigns defeat and promptly goes limp. That is until the kids catch on and start to tickle him.
"Nuh uh! You're Spider-Man!" Elijah yells through his joyful giggles. Peter can't keep back his uncontrollable laughter even though he tries to guard his sides.
"Okay! Okay! You got me! I give up!" he surrenders between gasps before he's finally given a chance to catch his breath.
"Alright, ease off, boys," Jalen says with a deep chuckle. All of the kids crawl off Peter, except for Elijah who doesn't hesitate to wrap his arms tightly around his hero's neck.
"I missed you!" the little boy exclaims…but it stalls Peter's movements. He missed me? How could he miss me? The last time he saw me was… He shoves the thoughts to the side and hugs Elijah back.
"I missed you, too," he returns. Once Elijah lets go, Peter hops to his feet but stays in a crouched position so that he's on the same level as the kids. "And Happy Birthday, little man!" He holds out his fist, which Elijah doesn't hesitate to bump with his own.
"Thanks! I'm ten now!" Elijah shouts while holding up all ten of his fingers.
"Woah! Double digits!" Peter matches his exuberant voice and high fives the held up hands. Behind them, he can see Isaac standing next to Jalen with a small smile and Peter waves hello.
"Where do your webs come from?!" another little boy asks as he rushes forward to get a look at the palms of Peter's hands.
"Well, I have these things I call web-shooters that-"
"Do they come out of your butt like spiders' do?!" a shorter boy interrupts, causing a fit of laughter throughout the rest of them. Peter has a feeling that the Q&A portion of the party might resemble some questions from a certain friend of his. This goes on for a while, him trying to answer as many imaginative questions as possible, then Jalen sets them up with a game so that the teen can sneak some food in. Good thing he eats fast since the game doesn't tide them over for very long and he's once again reduced to a human junglejim. At one point, the kids run over to him holding deflated balloons, Elijah leading the way. Peter can see their hidden plan of them wanting him to remove his mask, but what they don't expect is for him to try blowing a balloon up through his mask…chaos and giggles ensue. When it gets to cake time, they all sing Happy Birthday and pass slices around the small table.
"Spider-Man?" The small voice forces Peter to kneel down to be level with Elijah so he can hear him.
"Yeah?" he responds just as softly.
"Do you ever get sad sometimes?" His genuine question makes the teen glance up at Jalen for guidance, but then he looks back to the kid.
"Yeah, I do," Peter confirms, seeing no point in saying otherwise. "And that's okay. We all get sad, there's nothing wrong with feelings and it's okay to talk about them." He does his best to come across as comforting. Elijah's dark brown eyes stare up at him with unsaid emotion and Peter briefly wonders if this is how May and Tony feel when they look at him.
"Even superheroes?" he asks.
"Even superheroes," Peter doesn't hesitate to answer. He frantically searches his brain for something, anything, more to say. Ultimately, his thoughts land on something he feels is good enough for the situation. "Y'know that icky feeling in your tummy when you're feeling sad? When it feels like you're on a ride at an amusement park?" Elijah wordlessly nods. "It feels better when you tell people you're feeling upset. It's like letting some of those feelings out when they're trapped. That's what your dad and brother are here for." Peter lowers his head to get a better view of Elijah's eyes just as he responds.
"They're good at listening." With the confirmation, Peter pats his back and hopes his words helped. It isn't long after that that presents are opened and, before he knows it, the party is coming to a close.
"Karen, text Ned and MJ for me in the group chat that I'm gonna be a few more minutes then I'll start swinging over," he quietly says and Karen immediately gets to work.
"Can do," she replies. That being taken care of, he meanders over to Jalen and Isaac in the kitchen.
"Hey, guys, I have to start heading out but it's really been awesome to be here." He pours his heart and soul into his gratitude and firmly shakes both of their hands.
"It means a lot to Elijah that you came," Isaac acknowledges. "And to me. So, thanks." The two exchange smiles and Jalen looks on with one of his own.
"Anytime, man. Seriously," he ensures with utmost certainty.
"We'll keep that in mind," Jalen guarantees, as appreciative as he's been the entire time. The man holds out the pristine camera to the hero, who can't help but smile to himself. Peter simply salutes as he slips the camera around his neck, climbs out the window, and jumps back out into the world.
"Okay, Karen! Next thing on the list is-"
"Incoming call from MJ," Karen unapologetically interjects. Peter's eyebrows come together to portray his confusion.
"I just texted them I'm on my way. Am I that late? Go ahead and answer," he notes aloud. As soon as the call goes through and her icon pops up, he voices his thoughts. "Hey, MJ, I just texted-"
"Scorpion's here!" He almost misses his next swing out of pure shock. His mind is instantaneously sent into overdrive as his stomach plummets.
"What?! What's-" But MJ doesn't give him the chance to formulate one of the dozens of questions buzzing around his head. She shields herself behind a parked car, but she doesn't know where the fight is headed and, more importantly, where Ned is.
"He's looking for you!" she shouts over the commotion that Peter just now starts to register. There's metal clashing, yelling in the distance, and the distinguished sound of repulsors charging. Mr. Stark's already in the suit.
"Stay safe, got it?! I'm swinging as fast as I can!" He knows he doesn't need to yell, but the panic and fear are dictating his tone. "Why, why did he attack now?! He already knew Spidey was friends with Iron Man so why'd he wait this long to-"
"No, he's looking for you! He's tearing things apart screaming for Peter Parker!" MJ tries once again to relay the rapidly deteriorating situation. The blood drains from Peter's face and he doesn't dare to breathe, afraid that any of it would make the situation far too real. This just got a whole lot more complicated.
And next time...the angst you've all been waiting for..
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