Comfortember #9 A Day Out #12 Concern

Rash Decisions

"What makes you think that's going to keep anyone from recognizing you?" Peter asked his mentor with a flat look. "Plus, it's not even that cold outside today."

Tony Stark was decked out in a nondescript gray hoodie, a dark blue slouch beanie, and sunglasses. "It works every time, Pete."

"I just don't see why we have to go anywhere, anyway," Peter almost whined. "I have homework. Or I should be working on those college applications."

"I'm worried about you, kid, and so is your aunt."

Peter looked annoyed. "Why?"

"You've been moping around all week, not eating enough, and generally kinda quiet and grouchy. We're going out."

Peter obediently put his coat on, but rolled his eyes and huffed through the process.

They stepped out the front doors of Stark Tower (after drawing a few very confused looks from the security team and receptionists as they exited the VIP elevator) and Tony started walking. "Where are we even going, Mr. Stark?"

"Central Park. You could use some fresh-ish air and nature. Crap like that."

"That's like a twenty minute walk!" Peter objected, stopping in his tracks.

"Well, better put a little pep in your step, Spiderling, or it's going to be a long afternoon."

Peter rolled his eyes again, but his scowl had an amused tilt to it. It was a little entertaining to see his mentor tapping into the more playful parts of his personality. And, other than the goatee (which was a little less carefully manicured than usual, thankfully) he kind of did look more like a homeless person than like Tony Stark right now. Or maybe an eccentric uncle. Peter huffed what just might have been a laugh and hurried after the man, who hadn't even checked behind him to see if Peter was coming. He probably needed to at least keep an eye on him to make sure no one tried to mug him.

They arrived at Central Park in good time, and having reached his destination, Tony slowed down and started positively strolling along the sidewalks, hands clasped behind his back. Peter eyed his sudden change of pace doubtfully but matched his speed.

"So, tell me what's going on."

"Huh?" Peter wiped his hands on his jean pockets awkwardly.

"Why are you moping around this week? Did you and Ned have a fight? Did you forget to renew your Star Wars fan club annual registration?"

He was ridiculous. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Did you get a 'B' on a test?"

"No."

"Have you been hacking Karen and doing something I don't know about?"

Peter sighed and shook his head.

"Was someone mean to you on patrol?"

"Tony."

"Did you have a fight with Michelle?"

Silence.

"Ah."

Peter glared at the ground, hands stuffed firmly in his coat pockets as they walked.

"I don't want to talk about it."

"But maybe you should, bud. I know I'm not the best at relationships,"

Peter scoffed, and bumped the older man's shoulder with his own. "You've had your moments, but you and Pepper are doing pretty well."

"But, I can listen, and it sounds like you probably need to talk," he continued, as if Peter hadn't spoken.

Peter walked in silence for a few minutes. Tony, for once, kept his mouth shut and gave him a few minutes.

"She's mad at me because I told her we should break up."

Tony stopped, and Peter had to stop, too, or leave him behind. "Do you want to break up with her?"

"Of course not. But we had that scare last week where it seemed like my identity was going to get out, and it made me think. If it did, and she was my girlfriend at the time, it would put her in danger."

It was Tony's turn to roll his eyes. "So, are you gonna to stop hanging out with Ned, so people don't think you're friends? Gonna move out of May's apartment, so she's a less obvious connection?"

Peter looked solidly at Tony in a way that was very much not a "no."

Tony squared his shoulders and got that look on his face. "Peter Benjamin Parker, don't you dare start making idiotic decisions for other people based on fear."

Peter's eyes widened. Tony didn't often speak to him that way. He wasn't yelling, but it was just a notch or two below, and it made him take a step back. Then he narrowed his eyes. "It's my decision, Tony."

"Kind of. In a relationship, you're only half of the decision. And you can't just decide to cut people out of your life because they might be in danger because of you."

Peter knew he probably had a stubborn look on his face, but he was trying, really trying, to think about what Tony said. He started walking again, as if he could walk away from the possibilities that scared him so much. "But Mr. Stark, what if something does happen to her, because of me?"

"Pete, that could be true in any relationship. We can't control all the outcomes, and you'll just drive yourself, and everyone else, crazy trying to do it."

Peter sighed, and Tony reached over and hooked his arm around Peter's shoulders, squeezing gently.

"And if your identity did get out, we have plans in place, kid. There are things we can do, for your aunt, for your friends, and for you, to help protect you. It won't just be a free-for-all, bud, and you won't be on your own. I promise.

Peter stopped walking, and Tony stopped with him. Peter turned into the older man, hugging him tightly, then stepping back while sniffing a little bit and wiping at his eyes.

"How did you do it? How did you not just worry all the time about someone trying to hurt, or take Pepper, Morgan, or even Rhodey?"

"Or even you?" Tony was looking at him that soft way that he never understood, but really liked.

"You worry about someone taking me?"

"That, or hurting you."

"But I'm Spiderman!"

"All the more reason to worry. You're more of a target. Should I try to make you stop being Spiderman, or make you stop seeing me because I worry about people targeting you as Peter or as Spidey, because both of you can be connected to me?"

"That's ridiculous."

"Is it?" Tony eyed him, then started walking forwards again.

Peter sighed again. "Fi-i-ine. I will try to stop worrying about it so much. But I might want to see those plans you were talking about, if someone did figure it out."

"Of course, Pete." Tony squeezed his shoulder again as they walked. He picked his phone up and sent a text message. "Now, if you think you're ready to revisit that conversation, there's a certain young lady who'd like to talk to you. Apparently she's had a crappy week, too, and she was hoping this conversation would go the way it did."

"What? MJ asked you to talk to me? I thought you didn't know why I was upset."

"I didn't. She didn't give me any information; just asked me to talk some sense into you. She left me to flounder through the rest on my own."

"Yeah, that sounds about right," Peter said, grinning at the path in front of them as they walked.

"Well, she's right over there," Tony said, stopping Peter by his arm and pointing at a park bench in the distance.

Peter sighed nervously. "Here goes nothing."

"You've got this kid. This time, listen to her, instead of telling her what you think is best for her, okay? That never works out, I promise."

Peter grinned. "Right. Wish me luck."

"You don't need it. She seems pretty crazy about you."