hi, from now on, expect text conversations. they will add more context and help figure out what the next thing is.
Tony Stark POV
A week passed after we found out about our mistake. Steve told us to try and figure it out, while he did some research. I was in a meeting at 1 pm, when it hit me that possibly Collateral Damage might know something.
He mentioned an event that resulted in people passing out, and I had not seen anything about it on the news. So, I snuck my phone out of my pocket to text him, after the meeting of course, as Pepper would have confiscated my phone otherwise.
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Me
Hey, CD, what's up?
Collateral Damage
Hey.
Why are you texting at 7 am?
Me
Its two pm where I am.
Do you live in a different time zone?
Collateral Damage
Yeah, last time you texted it was 9 am.
At least where I am.
Me
Must be used to getting up early with the three kids you have.
Collateral Damage
You have no idea.
13yo often wakes up at 5 am.
At that, I had to do a double take.
Me
5 am?!
Collateral Damage
Yeah, thankfully she can be quiet, despite how hard it is for her to control her vocal volume.
Don't need 6yo up too.
Me
How come she has a hard time with volume control?
Collateral Damage
13yo has autism. Same as 6yo, but on different levels.
My cousin Amanda is a doctor, she likes to say the autism spectrum is like a cake with differently flavored levels.
13yo can verbally speak, 6yo needs a talking tablet.
Me
Oh, the 15yo normal then?
Collateral Damage
No, he has dyslexia, and adhd, with PTSD to boot.
Me
PTSD!?
Collateral Damage
Happens when your mother dies from a hotel collapse, you sister dies from a robot falling on her when she went on a desert trip, go on a trip through a place of death, and your first friend who accepted your sexuality dies.
He found happiness with me taking him in, however. And I'm planning to ensure he lives a normal life.
#######################################################################################################
I winced with sympathy for his oldest. No kid deserves that kind of life. At least he got to live with a man who accepted him, from the sounds of it.
Pepper then called me to have tea with her and Morgan, my daughter.
I texted him bye before I went to go hang out with my family.
Peter Parkers POV
Step one of Operation: Phone Peek was handled.
Mr. Stark had been texting some person, and we all wanted to know who he was texting, as they may be an enemy. Even though Mr. Stark seemed less stressed texting them.
So, we devised a plan: get him away from the phone, sneak a peek at the contacts, write down the mystery persons number, and text them later.
I got in his phone thanks to Pepper giving me his password.
I found a person with a weird nickname, that I realized was who he was texting, and took a pic of the number before sneaking back into the vents. I decided to get Ned to text with them with me later.
The next day, we put step three into action.
Ned and I met up at a sandwich shop after my patrol. We got out the number picture. Then we punched it in my phone.
"Why do you think Mr. Stark is texting this guy anyway?" Ned asked.
"No idea. But he does seem less stressed when talking to them." I answered.
Amos Kanes POV
I woke up at 6 am to Adrian climbing on me.
"Whatcha doing on top of me, Adrian?" I asked.
"Want pancakes." Adrians tablet said after a beat.
"I will make you some, after you get off."
Adrian climbed off of me and helped me into my wheelchair.
My phone went off. Adrian grabbed it for me.
I had a text from an unknown number, reading out who are you? How do you know my friend that calls you Collateral Damage? I decided to see what they wanted.
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Me
Who is this?
?
An enemy, or a friend depending on if you answer my statement.
Me
Oh really?
Not giving my name, but I can tell you I am trustworthy.
Some people know me for my music, some know me as the adoptive father of a dragon mage and a necromancer, and most know me for the fact I was the second in command of a person who led people to fight a great enemy who wanted the world destroyed. Your friend knows me from my accidentally texting him while trying to reach my nephew.
Ok, I said that save the world bit because I thought it would convince them I was trustworthy. Lots of villains in Marvel comics often wanted the world destroyed, and DeLaynie told me about the whole paraphernalia known as Marvel Universe, as her ex-family had been avid fans, so it didn't seem far-fetched.
?
Really?
Me
Yes really. Feel free to give me a nickname, assuming you want to save me in your contacts.
?
Wait was?
Me
I left when I adopted my middle child, the dragon mage, and the other two I only recently took into permanent custody.
Can we play 20 questions?
Would help me get to know you.
?
No, last time I played, things escalated into an intense pillow fight and a lecture. So, no.
Me
How did that happen?
?
Steve asked what the craziest situation we got into was.
Some of the others were scuffling with pillows after Clint admitted he had a secret candy stash, which was escalating quickly.
I accidentally admitted about how I got a building to fall on me.
Me
A BUILDING WHAT NOW!?
?
I got out of it, calm down I was completely fine.
But spilling got me a lecture from the man you know as whatever you call him.
Me
Lord of Annoyance, and you're lucky I am on the other side of the world from you, or you'd be toast.
*************** saved you in contacts as Musical Hero Dad
Me
Nice nickname choice.
You going to give me your name?
?
Not to some stranger, my aunt would kill me.
Me
You live with your aunt?
?
Yeah, since my parents passed, just her and my uncle until he was shot several years ago.
Me
Sorry to hear that.
My mom had to raise me with her sister's family so my father wouldn't be able to abuse me emotionally.
He still found me though.
He is dead now, thankfully.
I do not need him hurting his grandkids.
?
That sounds crazy.
Like a superhero's origin story.
Me
You a fan of superheroes or something?
?
Yeah, Ironman is my favorite.
You have saved **************** as Teenage superhero Superfan
Teenage superhero Superfan
Really?
Me
You give me that type of energy, like Caleb from my nephew and nieces neighbor area.
Teenage superhero Superfan
Not cool.
Me
Did I get that whole thing right as a good short version of your character?
Teenage superhero Superfan
Yeah, you did.
Me
I have to go now; my kids need food.
Teenage superhero Superfan
Bye.
#######################################################################################################
I went and helped my older children make breakfast. I couldn't help wondering about the kid I texted and wondered if he was ok. I also wondered how he knew Lord of Annoyance. I decided to press him later.
In case anyone is wondering, Carter and Sadie are fine, just feeling sick. Which was why I was plannng to have them over for a week, so they could rest.
Peter Parkers POV
Me and Ned left the sandwich shop grinning. Mr. Stark was talking to a superhero.
"Dude! Mr. Stark knows another world saving hero!" Ned said.
"I know! What do you think he can do?" I asked.
"I have no idea! I can't wait to text him more later!"
I left and went to go to where Happy was waiting with his car, and where Clint, Bucky, and Bruce were waiting.
"You kids find out anything good?" Bruce asked.
"Yeah: The dude is a dad, saved the world, and knows Mr. Stark due to a wrong number text. He also calls Mr. Stark Lord of Annoyance!" I exclaimed.
"You get his number and name?" Clint asked.
"I saved his number in my contacts, and he refused to give his real name."
"Why save it?" Happy asked.
"Hes awesome. And he seems cool. Was second in command of a buncha people who saved the world before he left to raise his daughter."
They all looked at each other at that.
I sat back and watched the view move by.
Tony Starks POV
My phone went off with a text from Collateral Damage
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Collateral Damage
Hey, so your friend who I've decided dub Teenage superhero Superfan, texted me out of concern for you, so be extra nice to him.
Me
Wait, kid texted you?
Collateral Damage
Yeah, was concerned about who you were texting.
He tried to threaten me, but I have been intimidated by far worse.
Me
By what?
Collateral Damage
My own father. And a far more vicious enemy, who my niece and nephew defeated.
And how did you know automatically who texted me?
Me
The nickname is a perfect assessment of his personality.
And your niece and nephew defeated a horrible enemy?
Collateral Damage
Yes, they were the only ones who knew how.
Me
Amazing, how did they do it?
Collateral Damage
Best I don't say.
I have a feeling your better off not knowing.
Now, I have to go: my daughter is going on a date, and I want to help her get ready.
Me
Sweet. I will let you get to it.
#######################################################################################################
I then called Peter.
"Hey, what's up?" Peter asked.
"Why did you go through my contacts?" I asked.
"Mr. Stark, we had to know why you seemed less stressed when you were texting, so I had to."
"I will let it slide. But don't text him, he is my pal, not yours. Understood?"
"Understood."
Peter parkers POV
After Mr. Stark hung up, I decided not to listen to him, and maybe track down this guy. He was so cool.
