Spiderman: Home Is Where The Heart Is
A/N: Sorry for it's taken me so long to update!
I hope you like this chapter! Please comment! As always constructive criticism is welcome!
He'd woken up early in the morning with his girlfriend at the Avengers compound upstate, expecting to spend the day with his MJ, Pepper and Morgan. He was surprised when after he'd had breakfast this morning, Pepper told him that he had to meet with Captain America alone before spending the remainder of the day with them in the city.
Peter was more than happy to meet with Steve Rogers alone, without MJ and Morgan there with him. It made sense with the seriousness of everything the two of them would have to talk about, it would be easier to talk without the innocence and lightness of Morgan Stark around.
And Peter truly didn't want to worry MJ. He knew she was strong and just last night made it very clear, as she had many times before, that she could handle knowing about the dangerous part of his life that was him being Spiderman. Also, their relationship had become strong and they'd learnt to trust each other, so he knew as much he didn't want to worry his girlfriend, he had to tell her about this stuff.
This morning he told MJ it was just to get on the same page about how the Avengers were going to move forward in the world. Though Peter suspected that today would be the beginning of his Spiderman life becoming more complicated than it already was, or at least, than it had been in the past four months since the situation with Mysterio in London.
In a way, Peter felt like he was overreacting. Today was just a conversation with Captain America. After a year of having no contact with the Avengers, Peter actually thought it would be good to speak with someone who was living a life, like the one he himself was living. Someone who experienced the Infinity War, as the Avengers, The Guardians and others had come to call it.
Someone who lost Tony, just like he did.
Pepper asked him where he wanted to meet with Cap and he decided at Mr Delmars corner store. He could talk to Mr Delmar while waiting for World War II veteran and think about what he wanted to say to the man. Pete had a lot of questions he wanted to ask him.
Pepper decided they wanted to get an early start on the day after they finished breakfast, Happy drove them into the city, Pete and MJ playing I-Spy with Morgan. They eventually dropped Peter off at his and Mays apartment, MJ kissing him goodbye chastely, earning a 'gross' from Morgan and a smile from her mother.
"May, I'm home!" Peter called out, entering through the front door of his home. Not receiving an answer, he walked up the hallway to the kitchen, noticing a note left on the kitchen bench.
"Just in case you come home and I'm not here, I've gone back down to F.E.A.S.T, they're a bit short staffed. I'll call you later if you're not home when I get back.
Love you kid – May
Peter smiled, his Aunt was working back down at the F.E.A.S.T centre, one of the shelters that had been set up in city to help the people who were hadn't found there family's or had lost their homes because of the blip. Peter loved how his Aunt worked every day to help people, like he did, both in their own ways.
Peter looked at the time on his phone and saw that it was only ten o clock in the morning. He still had two hours before his meeting with Cap.
"Might as well go out for out for a quick patrol." He thought, grabbing his suit from his closet and changing into it. He looked down at the mask in his hand.
Months ago before the disaster that was his school trip to Europe, being Spiderman had began to start feeling like a chore. He wasn't enjoying his patrols as much and was at the time wishing he didn't have the responsibility of being Spiderman. He'd felt like the world was in search for the new Iron Man and Peter truly didn't think he could ever become that.
Peter hated how his trip was ruined by Mysterio but it was because of him and his manipulations that Peter began to feel comfortable with the responsibility of being Spiderman again. Happy told him on the plane when the older man picked him in the Netherlands, that he would never be the next Iron Man, that he could never live up to Tony Stark's place in the world. But he also reminded him that his friends were in danger, Beck was a villain that was out there and even though he couldn't be the next Iron Man, he had to do something.
Happy made him realise the responsibility was still there, even if he didn't feel good enough for it.
But it was what MJ told him in the days after London that made him relish in the feeling of being Spiderman again.
They'd talked when they got home and Peter told her all about how he just wanted to enjoy his vacation away and tell he that he liked her. He also told her how Beck was able to manipulate him into giving him Tony's glasses because Peter didn't think he was good enough for them, not good enough to be the next Iron Man.
MJ had looked at him with her classic deadpan expression before calling him a total idiot, he remembered her words exactly.
"You're an idiot, you know that?"
Peter looked down, embarrassed. "I know I was stupid, I shouldn't have given him those glasses…."
"That's not what I'm talking about Peter."
Peter looked back up at his girlfriend, eyes widened.
"Don't get me wrong, giving away those glasses was stupid but Beck tricked you. He made you think he was your friend, he manipulated you. That could happen to anyone."
"No you're an idiot because of these stupid expectations your putting on yourself. You're not supposed to be the next Iron Man. You're not supposed to do what Tony Stark would have done."
Peter opened his mouth to interrupt but she cut him off before he could speak.
"Just shut up and listen to me, loser." MJ told him, firmly.
"You're not Iron Man. you're not meant to be Iron Man. I know it hurts Pete but Iron Mans time is over. He did his part, the world doesn't need him anymore. It needs the heroes who are still here, to keep fighting. It needs you to be your own hero."
"The world needs you to be Spiderman."
It took a while for Peter to fully understand what MJ meant by what she told him that day. But later on that week he'd saved a little girl on the road, who had ran across the street without looking as a bus drove towards her. He'd swung down low to the ground and scooped her up out of harms way. The girl and her parents had been so grateful, saying 'thank you Spiderman' repeatedly.
He'd realised in that moment that his girlfriend was right, as she usually was. Peter did his best as a superhero when he was being himself and not trying to be his mentor. When he'd grasped that, it felt good to be Spiderman again.
Peter shook himself out of his thoughts, sliding his mask on over his head and launching himself gracefully out of the window of his apartment, not sensing anyone outside who would see where he left from.
"Hey Karen." Peter greeted his A.I.
"Hello Peter." Karen responded, the A.I.'s voice sweet as usual, "how are you today Peter?"
"I'm great, Karen. I told MJ I loved her last night."
"That's good, Peter. Did she return your feelings?"
"She did, Karen." Peter told his A.I. smiling.
"Are you sure Michelle is as smart you say she is?"
"Haha, thanks Karen." Peter rolled his eyes, amused at her programmed sarcasm and humour.
"Your welcome Peter."
"Run scans for any crimes or emergencies in the city, please Karen."
Unlike yesterday, Peter found very little criminals out in the open this Saturday morning.
Not that he was complaining, he was really enjoying just swinging and leaping around the city. It was fun and He found that most of the people of New York loved him even more his heroics yesterday, everyone who saw him on the streets were asking for a picture, a young mother was grateful for catching and returning her sons ballon which had flown away and the food stand on the side of a street in Brooklyn gave him a free Hot Dog.
Landing on the roof of a building not far away from Mr Delmars Bodega, Peter checked the alleyway to the to the side of the small building on the corner block, making sure no one was there before dropping down to the ground, behind a garbage dumpster.
"Karen, shut down any cameras in the area that could see me get changed and leave the alley."
"All surveillance and mobile cameras in your area are temporarily deactivated Peter."
"Thanks Karen."
After changing quickly into clothes he'd brought with him in his backpack, Peter threw his backup and webbed it to the wall. He'd learned one too many times, not to web his backpacks to any more garbage dumpsters, having lost eight bags in total now. After losing the last one, MJ told him that he was the biggest idiot and didn't get how he could be so smart and so stupid. He had to agree with her when he couldn't answer her when she asked why he didn't simply web his bag up high on a building where no one could get to it and no garbage truck was going to pick it up.
Shaking his head, with a smile Peter walked out of the alley to the entrance of Delmar's bodega.
Opening the door, Peter saw Mr Delmar leaning on the counter of his new store. The elder man smiled brightly at him.
"Good morning, Peter!" Mr Delmar greeted, tapping his counter, "How are you doing, young lad?"
"Really good Mr Delmar! How are you?"
"Can't complain, Pete, nobody listens anyway." Mr Delmar chuckled, "Where's that girlfriend of yours, don't often see you without her anymore."
"MJ's good," Peter replied, smiling at Mr Delmars mentioning MJ and the elder mans observation of them, "She's out with some friends of ours right now. I'm meant to be meeting a friend of mine here soon."
"Glad to hear, boy, you treat that girl right you hear me? A smart girl like that, who lets you wear those science pun t-shirts, you don't want let her go any time soon."
"Don't plan on it, Mr Delmar." Peter said, grinning wide. He loved the shopkeepers words of advice for him and he definitely intended to follow it. He had no intention of letting MJ go.
Ever.
"Good man. Can I get you anything?"
"I'll just grab a chocolate milkshake, please, while I'm waiting." Peter said pulling out his wallet but the shopkeeper waved him off.
"On the house for you today boy."
"But…. Peter resisted but Mr Delmar gave him a pointed look.
"Free today, Peter. Just keep telling your friends about my awesome sandwiches." Mr Delmar said, moving behind the counter to make the milkshake.
Peter shook his head but accepted the older mans generosity putting his wallet back in his pocket.
As he stood waiting patiently, the newspapers on the stand at the side of the counter caught his eye. Or more the front page headlines did.
The first newspaper was of the New York Times. Peter looked closely at it, reading the headline: SPIDER-MAN – Day of Heroics
Peter read through the front page story, the article going into full details of his activities yesterday, how he saved a baby from a burning building, how he took down a car jacked over in Brooklyn, stopped several muggers while also mentions sightings of him swinging around the city, giving directions to people in Queens and rescuing a cat from a tree in Central Park.
The article even included an interview with the mother of the baby he saved. Peter smiled reading the grateful words.
"If it weren't for Spiderman….. I would've lost my baby." She said, "He is my hero and a hero to this city. God bless him."
Peter laughed to himself quietly. Being Spiderman was a responsibility that was given to him, he loved helping people but he didn't do it for the praise. But he had to admit, it felt good to have New York City love him so much.
"He's really doing some good around here, isn't he?" Mr Delmar, pulling away from his thoughts, placing his milkshake on the counter in front of him.
"He tries his best to help out, I guess." Peter replied.
"He does help out." Mr Delmar insisted, "Queens feels a lot safer with Spiderman out there. I feel better letting my daughter walk to school knowing he's out there. I don't worry as much about getting robbed or having any trouble around here. They should be giving him the key to the city."
Peter smiled again, loving that Mr Delmar, who was very respected and loved in the neighbourhood of Queens was glad to have Spiderman around. It was honestly one of Peter's greatest fears that Queens and the rest of New York wouldn't want him around anymore.
Peter understood now more than ever, after speaking with Pepper
last night that the public loving him was important in there fight against reinstating the Sokovia Accords. He would do everything in his power to protect the people of New York, to let them know he was her for them and that they could trust him to keep them safe. For them and the rest of the world.
"He does a great job for this city but I don't think he'd accept the key to it." Peter said, taking his milkshake, "I don't think that's why he does this stuff."
"I guess but the city definitely does appreciate him. Though not everyone is smart enough to see the good he does." Mr Delmar said, rolling his eyes, pointing to another newspaper on the stand below the New York Times.
It was the Daily Bugle and its front page showed a photo of Spiderman, standing next to a parked convertible, a man bound by webs in the backseat, the carjacker he'd stopped yesterday in Brooklyn. The headline was very different: MASKED MENACE SPIDERMAN's DAY Of TERROR.
"The Bugle hates Spiderman, though I have no idea why." Mr Delmar sighed, "He hasn't done anything but help this city but Jameson won't stop bashing him every day."
"The Daily Bugle is just a newspaper version of Fox News, Mr Delmar." Peter told his older friend, "Playing on people's biases. The only people who actually believe the crap Jameson puts out are the ones who have always hated Spiderman and the other superheroes. They don't accept that the world has changed."
"Yeah, well they should. Losing half of the world and getting them back isn't something we're all just going to forget about." The older man grumbled, turning around to continue his work.
Peter could see his point.
He understood why so many people wanted to get back to how things used to be. People spent five years living without their wives, children, mothers, fathers and siblings, and five years was a long time. It was long enough for the people who didn't blip to accept the reality of the snap and begin to move on with their lives.
Getting their loved ones back was an extraordinary thing and Peter was sure their wasn't a single person on Earth who regretted getting everyone they'd lost back but it still through the whole world into chaos. Everyone's lives were thrown into complete turmoil.
The people who didn't blip had to find the people they'd lost and adjust to having them back in their lives.
The ones who blipped had to learn they'd been gone for half a decade and adjust to being people out of their own time.
He'd talked to May, Ned and MJ about this before. About how they've Had to adjust and were still adjusting to living in a world that had lived on for five years without them. In the end they all came to agree on one thing.
Things were never going to go back to the way they were.
For anyone.
Moving to sit in one of the booths, Peter thought about his own situation with the blip. After the battle with Thanos, losing Tony and finding out everything about the blip, Peter didn't know if he should feel guilty or not but he was actually relieved that May, Ned and MJ blipped along with him.
He didn't know how he would've dealt with May living her life with out him for five years, if she would've even been in New York when he was brought back.
Didn't know what he would've done if Ned, his best friend, graduated high school and moved on to college and MIT without him.
Or how heartbroken he would've been if he never got the chance to tell MJ how he felt about her and had graduated and moved on to become a world acclaimed author or journalist. He would've been a seventeen year old boy with a high school crush on someone who was now a twenty two year old woman, who had grown up and matured beyond him.
Peter didn't know what he would've done if he had come back to her saying, 'Glad you're back little Parker. Sorry I won't be able to protect you from Flash in Decathlon."
He honestly thought that would've killed him.
He'd never told her or anyone about that small nagging feeling of relief he felt that he didn't have to go through that. He hated himself for even feeling it.
"I like this place you picked to meet kid." A voice behind him brought him out of his thoughts, "It definitely says 'Queens'."
Peter turned around and saw the man who's shield he'd stolen the day they'd met and was now the closest thing he had to a friend who understood the life he now lived.
Captain Steve Rogers looked different to the last time Peter saw him but that was mostly because the last time they'd seen each other was at Tony's funeral, he'd been wearing a suit and a constant grim expression.
Now he was wearing black sneakers, casual denim jeans and a plain grey, long sleeved dress shirt, with a black baseball cap, which Peter actually thought made Captain America look dorky and he could literally hear MJ's voice in his head, "Coming from you, that's saying a lot."
Peter moved to stand up but the older man gestured for him to sit down as he moved to sit opposite to Peter at the table booth.
"Good to see you, Queens." Steve greeted, holding his hand out, which Peter shook firmly.
"You to Cap."
Peter didn't know what else to say. He suddenly felt awkward and uncomfortable. He and Captain America didn't know each other very well.
"What's with the hat?" Peter wanted to crawl in a hole and die at what slipped past his lips but the Avenger just laughed softly.
"I'm trying not to be noticeable." Steve explained, looking around the small diner, before looking back to Peter, "People know my face, I don't want to attract a crowd."
Peter nodded, "I didn't think of that. I should've picked somewhere else away from crowds to meet."
"I wanted to meet wherever you felt comfortable kid. And this place is good. Not to busy and not somewhere people would keep an eye out for celebrities."
Peter smiled, noticing the way annoyed edge to the Captain's last word. It was obvious to Peter the fame of his identity was annoying to the older Avenger.
"Listen kid," Steve began, softly, "I'm sorry I haven't reached out since the funeral. I know Tony was important to you and I shouldn't have just—"
"No Cap, don't apologise for that." Peter said, cutting the Avenger off, "Seriously don't worry about that. After the blip and Tony and everything that happened, it was probably for the best. We all had to deal with everything in our own way."
Steve smiled, sadly, "You sound wise kid. Still I shouldn't have just left you alone."
"I wasn't alone." Peter said, voice wavering at the thought of even being alone after the blip.
"Still, I'm the Captain. It's my job to make sure you're okay. Make sure all of you okay."
Peter wanted to argue but seeing the look in the Captains eyes, he thought better of it. He didn't think he would win.
"It's okay, Cap." He said, seriously, "Really."
Steve nodded, "I've seen a lot of you in the papers lately. You're doing a really good job for the city Queens."
"Thanks." Peter said, chuckling uncomfortably. It felt strange being complimented but Captain America on being a superhero.
"Pepper told me your doing really well."
Peter raised an eyebrow at that statement from the older man. He could tell he wasn't talking about how he was doing as Spiderman.
"I am."
Steve eyed with him a look that made Peter feel like he was being analysed. Eventually the older man nodded.
"That's good, Queens. Tony would be proud of you."
"Thanks Cap." Peter smiled, sadly, before looking down, "I miss him. I can't believe it's been over a year since…." He trailed off, not knowing how to finish his sentence.
Steve bowed his head, "Yeah I miss him too kid. What he did for all of us was….. brave and selfless. But I swear if I only could've gotten that glove…. I…." He cut himself off, sighing and looking away from Peter.
Peter could see in the Captains expression and the similar words that he himself had said to himself in the months after the blip and Tony's death.
Guilt.
The guilt of not being able to save guilt of not being able to save Black Widow.
The guilt of being a survivor.
Survivors guilt plagued Peter for months after the blip, every time he thought about Tony and how he wouldn't be there to watch his daughter grow up. It felt like Tony was someone Peter couldn't save. He knew it was unhealthy and after long conversations with his Aunt he finally was able to let go if it, as May taught him she had to let go of her own after his Uncle Ben died. The guilt of being survivor is an unjust feeling and not something you can bury but have to let of.
"There's nothing down that road, Cap."
Steve's eyes widened, in surprise. He looked at Peter curiously before smiling, "That's a good line, Queens."
"It's my Aunts." Peter smirked, "She didn't told me that on New Years Eve last year. I felt like I could've saved Tony. My Aunt made me see that as much as I wish it all happened another way, Tony did what he thought was best."
"He always did kid." Peter could hear a hint of sarcasm in the older mans words.
"You know, Tony was my friend." Steve said, after a moment, "He was my friend for a really long time. After everything that happened with the Accords and Germany and the Snap, I'm glad we were able to make things right with us again."
"Pepper told me that you guys patched things up after the snap." Peter frowned. He knew Tony and Captain America had their differences on the Accords and over what happened in Germany. But he got the feeling there was a lot more to it than that.
"We did but it took a while we had a lot to say to each other. Tony blamed me for…." Steve stopped talking as Mr Delmar approached them.
"Good morning, anything I can get you son?" The older man asked him. Peter tried not laugh, as the thought that Captain America was around three times Mr Delmars age popped into his head.
"Ah…." Steve began, "Can I get a coffee? Black please?" He reached into his pocket for his wallet but the older man waved him off like he did with Peter.
"Don't worry about it. I haven't seen you here before and you're here with Peter. First ones on the house." Mr Delmar said, waking off before either Peter or Steve could argue with them.
"He's a good man."
"Yes, he is." Peter agreed, "What were you saying about you and Tony?"
"Ah…." Steve hesitated, "You know what kid, you probably don't want to know about mine and Tony's issues."
"Tony was my mentor." Peter said, quickly, looking around to make sure no one was near them or listening to them, "Look it's not my business. But Tony was my mentor and you…well….ah…." Peter stuttered, awkwardly, thinking of the words, "I'm a new Avenger and you're the leader of the Avengers. You're the closest thing to a teacher I have now. If there's anything I need to know about you and Tony, you should tell me."
Steve eyed him for moment and Peter felt uncomfortable under his stare. Captain America had an aura of the authority around him and Peter could feel it.
"Tony blamed me for the snap."
Peter's eyes widened. He wasn't expecting that.
"Tony blamed you…. Why would he blame you?"
"He blamed me for not being there." Steve said, solemnly, "For not signing the Accords, for not supporting him with his dream of 'a suit of armour' around the world. Tony wanted to protect the world so badly, he never thought about what he could turn the world into."
"Freedom is too high a price to pay for and Tony could never agree on that."
Peter thought for a moment, on the Captains words. Freedom or security…. That was a tough choice to make. But a disagreement like that was a far cry for blaming someone for losing half the universe.
"The Snap wasn't your fault, Cap."
"No it wasn't." Steve replied, before Peter could even grab how stupid his words were, "It wasn't Tony's either. It wasn't Thor's or Wanda's or anyone's other Thanos."
"But Tony was never able to live with not seeing the fault pinned on someone."
Mr Delmar appeared next to them, handing Steve his coffee and leaving them alone once again after checking if Peter wanted anything else.
Steve took a sip of his coffee, before continuing, Peter listening intently.
Flashback: Three months Post-Snap
"What the hell are you doing here Rogers?" Tony asked.
"We need to talk."
"I've got nothing more to say to you."
"Good, than you can finally shut your mouth and let someone else speak for once."
If looks could kill, Steve Rogers was sure he may have dropped dead right there on the deck of the house but the lake. But they couldn't and Steve Rogers wasn't a man that could be intimidated.
Tony opened the door and made way for the taller man to enter. He walked in but neither broke eye contact as Tony shut the door.
"Nice place you've got here." Steve said, casually.
What do you want, Rogers?"
Steve's eyes narrowed, "It's been three months, Tony. You've been going everywhere but the compound. What the hell have you been doing?"
"What the hell is it to you?"
"After everything that has happened, you still can't drop your ego for one single conversation?" Steve asked, incredulously.
"I've been every nook and cranny of this Earth for someone who could undo this mess, Captain." Tony shot back, the last word dripping with judgement, "Its none of your business where I go, Rogers."
"We're all looking for a way to bring them back, Tony." Steve said, crossing his arms in front of him, "You think were all just sitting around? Thor and Bruce are God knows where talking to everyone Thor has ever said hello to. Natasha's going every S.H.I.E.L.D file looking for something. Clint is still missing. Why aren't you working with us?"
"What so you can fuck this up to?" Tony snapped, "Slow me down with all your stupid freedom speeches. I'm gonna fix this and you're not going to get in my way."
Steve shook his head, "I didn't come here to be your punching bag again, Tony,"
"This is your fault, Cap." Tony said, stepping close to him. Steve didn't back away and simply looked down into his former friends eyes, eyes that held judgement and anger. Steve was sad to think he could see hate in them as well but didn't dwell on that thought.
"There's plenty of blame to go around, Tony." Steve said, solemnly, "I've accepted my part of it."
"I told you, that bastard was gonna come back. I told you we need to be ready, that we need a suit of armour around the world or we would lose. We lost Cap." Tony threw his hands up, "And this is the world we have now because of it."
Tony turned his back on Steve, taking a glass of the small kitchen bench and getting water from the overly advanced refrigerator, that Steve thought looked ridiculous next to the old worn walls of the large lake house.
Tony didn't offer him a drink and Steve was never going to ask for one.
"I failed to stop Thanos in Wakanda." Steve stated, simply, "I lost that fight. You lost that fight on Titan. Thor lost before Thanos even got to Earth. We all lost, Tony."
"I told you we would."
"I told you we would win together, Tony." Steve snapped, letting anger through, "we didn't fight together, Tony."
"And who's fault is that, Cap?"
"Yours." Steve snapped, gritting his teeth, "And mine. And Ross's. And everyone else who was part of the reason the Avengers we were torn a part."
Tony through the glass he was holding at the wall beside him. It smashed and glass shattered across the room.
Tony seethed and Steve uncrossed his arms, preparing for a fight he would end quickly.
"You left, Rogers." Tony growled, "You ran away. Because you couldn't play by the rules the world needed us to follow."
"You lied to me in that room." Steve shot back, "You lied about getting the Accords amended. They were never going to change them, Tony."
"We needed to be kept in check!" Tony shouted, "People were dying because of us, Rogers!"
"We were saving people Tony!" Steve shouted back, "We didn't bring Loki to New York. We didn't send Rumlow to Lagos. We didn't release those hellecarriers in Washington. We stopped them Tony!"
Tony scoffed, "People died in those battles Cap."
"I know, Tony!" Steve exclaimed, voice dripping with anger, "You don't think I lose sleep over all the people we couldn't save."
"A hundred and seventy seven people died in Sokovia, Tony." Steve continued, "Seventy four died in New York. Twenty six people died in Lagos. They all haunt me, Tony but the whole world was at stake. They were wars and wars have casualties. We saved more people than we lost."
"And that just makes all that death and destruction okay?"
"No it doesn't make it okay!" Steve bellowed, "It just means we saved more than we lost! That's all that we can ask for Tony!"
"They blamed us, Rogers." Tony groaned, "They blamed us for everything. We were responsible for all of it."
"We were responsible for stopping it Tony."
"You don't take responsibility for the people we lost Cap." Tony shook his head, looking at Steve in disbelief, "We needed to be held accountable. We needed oversight."
"The Accords weren't oversight, Tony." Steve said, firmly, "They were enslaving us. You think I would've waited for permission when Thanos showed up? Did you?"
Steve would be lying if he did feel slightly satisfied at the look on Tony's face. He didn't wait for permission in New York the day the children of Thanos attacked.
"We're not normal soldiers. The things we deal with, theirs no time for political approval." Steve stressed, "And the Accords said, the identity's of the Avengers had to be public. What were you going to do when that kid from Queens joined Tony? What were you gonna do, if he didn't want everyone out there knowing who he was?"
Sadness came across the billionaires face at the mention of his young intern and Steve almost felt guilty for bringing the boy up. But these were words that needed to be said.
"He would've dealt with it." Tony said, finally.
"Would he have understood what he was dealing with?" Steve asked, incredulously, "Would he have understood his friends at school, his parents, everyone who knew him would've been a target?"
"He didn't have parents." Tony replied, "And don't talk about him, Cap. He's none of your business."
Steve scoffed, "I met that kid in Germany. I never even saw his face and I could tell he he had more heart than anyone I ever met. And I think, that once he learned what he was signing up for, he wouldn't want to have been a part of it."
Tony shook his head, defiantly, "Go to hell, Rogers." The billionaire moved to the front door of his home and opened it. He held it open.
"Get out."
"You're kicking me out because I'm telling you things you don't want to hear."
"Get out, Rogers."
"You're a coward, Tony." Steve said, gravely, walking closer to his former friend and looking into his eyes, "You say you were for the Accords because you wanted oversight but I know the truth and so do you. You wanted the Accords because you were so scared of making the wrong the decision. And the Accords made sure you didn't make the decision at all."
Steve held Eye contact with Tony, letting his words land on the other man, who gave no hint that they had any effect. After a moment, Steve shook his head and moved to leave but turned around in the doorway.
Tony looked back at him with and Steve saw nothing but contempt on his face.
"You know," Steve began, looking at the surroundings of the house, "You've said over and over, that I don't take responsibility for the lives that we've lost. But what about you Tony?" He asked, stepping forward, looking into the anger filled eyes of his former friend, "Charlie Spencer's mother. The woman at the State Department? The one who blamed you for her sons death?"
Steve paused, preparing himself to say the things he'd wanted to say for over two years now, "She was right. His death was your fault. The one hundred and seventy-seven people who died in Sokovia, they're on you Tony. You built Ultron. You messed with things you didn't have any clue about and you didn't care about what anyone else thought. Everything that Ultron did, that's because of you."
Steve watched the emotion on Tony's face, at what he was saying, one of the hardest things he'd ever had to say in his life. Anger, hate, sadness, guilt, all of it them were shown in the eyes of Tony Stark.
Steve stepped back and looked over the peaceful surrounding of the lake house, "This is a nice place you've got here Tony. If you want to hide out and work alone in the shadows to undo everything that has happened, go ahead. But me and the others, we've accepted the mistakes we've made. And we're moving on."
"We forgave you, Tony, for Ultron, because we knew you were trying to do what was best." Steve told him, with finality, "You need to forgive yourself."
Peter listened intently as Captain America told him the story behind his than, broken friendship, with Tony Stark. He explained the creation of Ultron and Sokovia, why they were on opposite sides of the Sokovia Accords and Steve's mistake of keeping the truth about Tony's parents from him.
"I'm not telling you all this, to explain myself or Tony, kid." Steve said, seriously, "Me and Tony eventually reconciled and we sorted our issues out. I'm telling you this because, you and me are the only ones that are in this at the moment. We need to trust each other."
Peter nodded. The truth was, even though he didn't know Captain America very well, he did trust him. He was someone who fought beside Tony and knew the troubles that came with the lives they lived. He lived by the belief in doing the right thing, that if you can stop something bad from happening and don't, that bad thing is your fault.
And Peter knew, that despite the differences they had at one point, Tony died trusting Steve Rogers. With the future of the Avengers and with looking after his family. Morgan had told him many times about 'Uncle Steve'.
"I trust you, Cap," Peter said, confident, "and I'm in this. 100%."
Steve smiled, at the young kid in front of him. He was brave and ready to fight he could see what Tony saw in the by.
"What are we gonna do about Ross?" Peter asked, suddenly, remembering his conversation with Pepper last night, which was probably the most important thing that he and the Captain had to talk about."
Steve sat up straighter and moved his now empty cup of coffee to the side of the table. "Pepper told you about Ross?"
"She told me he was planning on running for president." Peter explained, worriedly, "that he was going to announce soon."
"He is." Steve confirmed, "Pepper found out yesterday morning and she told me right away. I don't know if you've heard but the election is going to be soon."
"I didn't know that."
Steve nodded, understandingly, "Because of the blip and the world still working out the economy after everyone coming back and with the President wanting to retire, the want to the election soon. Usually it would've happened this month but nobody wanted to run. As soon as Ross announces, Pepper thinks they'll schedule an election within months."
"He can't become President, Cap." Peter exclaimed, loudly, making Steve look around to make sure nowone was watching them.
"Calm down, kid."
"Sorry," Peter said, quietly, fear still in his voice, "But Ross can't be President. He reinstate the Accords and that can't happen. I can't reveal my identity to the world."
Steve smiled sadly. He had to admit to himself, there was a part of him who didn't want this kid in front of him to be an Avenger. He was just a kid and Steve didn't want someone so young to be putting himself in danger all the time or to be worried about whether the next President of the United States was going to persecute him.
This kid shouldn't have the world on his shoulders but Steve knew that he wouldn't able to stop this young man from doing his part in saving the world. He could see being a hero was who he was and that he would protect the people he cares about no matter what.
"Queens, I get it." Steve said, seriously, "I get it. We're gonna do everything we can okay? You're not going to have to take off your mask."
"How can you be sure?"
Steve grinned, "Pepper and I have came up with an idea. If it works, we'll be okay and we'll figure out a place for the Avengers in the world okay. We're gonna be fine."
Peter's eyebrows raised in confusion. Pepper didn't tell him about any plan to deal with Ross. "What's the plan?"
Steve shook his head, "Don't worry about that yet."
"Maybe I can help!"
"Kid, you are helping." Steve stressed, "We'll tell you what the plan is after we work some more stuff out. Right now, all I need you to do, is to keep doing great work in the city. Everyone's loving you right now. That helps us a lot. Just keep yourself in the public's good books, okay?"
Peter wanted to argue, annoyed at being kept in the dark. He was annoyed that Pepper and Captain America had come up with an idea to deal with Ross and his plans to ruin the Avengers, Pepper hadn't told him about it and the leader of the Avengers wasn't telling him right now.
But Peter could see the look in the Captains eyes and could feel again, the sense of authority around the older man. Eventually he nodded, "Okay."
"I appreciate you trusting me, Queens. Really, I do and I'll tell you the plan soon."
Peter nodded again. They sat their for a moment, Peter feeling awkward, like their meeting come to a strange end before he remembered another question he wanted to ask the Captain.
"Where have you been, Cap?" Peter asked, curiously, "What have you been doing for the last year?"
Steve looked surprised. He rubbed his hand over his face and thought for a moment. Eventually he said, "Tony once told me that I needed to get a life for myself. A life outside of being Captain America."
Peter smiled, he could totally imagine his mentor telling the older man that. "Did you get it?"
Steve smiled, looking down at his hands, "I did."
Peter recognised the look on the mans face, "You got yourself a girlfriend, Cap?"
Peter thought it was funny that the grown man in front of him would look embarrassed but could understand. A man who'd been frozen for seventy years and then woke up to a life of being a superhero didn't think a lot about relationships.
"How'd you know?"
"Because, I recognise that look on your face," Peter told him, smiling, "You have someone who makes you happy. I found someone too, I know the look."
"Good for you kid."
Peter could tell that was a friendly way of ending the conversation there. He wasn't being reprimanded but the older man didn't want to talk about his relationship right now. He wasn't ready too.
Peter could understand that.
Suddenly Peter's phone rang in his pocket and quickly pulled it out, intending to turn it off but the caller I.D. was 'Pepper'.
"It's Pepper." He told Steve, who nodded.
"Hello?" Peter answered.
"Hey loser." He heard MJ's voice on the line.
"Hey." Peter greeted, smiling, "What are you doing with Peppers phone?"
"Mine's gone flat," MJ told him, "and Pepper wanted me to call, to see how you two are doing. Everything good?"
"Yeah," Peter answered, smiling, "Everything's good.
"Good." MJ said and Peter could hear something like relief in his girlfriends voice, "We're in Central Park right now if you two wanted to meet up with us."
"We'll head over soon."
"Okay." MJ said and Peter could hear Morgan in the background calling out 'MJ! MJ!', "I gotta go, Morgan's calling out for me."
"Okay, I'll see you soon."
"Love you loser."
Peter smiled, he would never get used to hearing those words from his girlfriend, "Love you too."
The line went dead and looked up to Steve who was grinning at him.
"My girlfriend," Peter said, before he could ask, "She's with Pepper and Morgan now. They're at Central Park, waiting for us."
Steve nodded, "Let's go." He said standing up, looking at his watch and pressing a button on the side of it.
Peter looked at the older man, quizzically. "Frequency disruptor." Steve said, showing him the watch on his left wrist, "Rhodey gave it to me. I switched it on to make sure weren't being recorded while we were talking."
Peter looked shocked. After a moment, he began to feel pretty stupid. They were meeting at a diner in Queens, talking about stuff being super hero's and world security and he hadn't thought about….
"Don't worry, Queens." Steve said, smiling, seeing the look on his face, "I'll get you taught soon enough. Let's go."
Peter shook his head at himself, standing up to follow the leader of the Avengers out the door.
A/N: Sorry for it's taken me so long to update!
I hope you like this chapter! Please comment! As always constructive criticism is welcome!