Chapter Nineteen
Peter wiped the sweat off his brow as he struggled to catch his breath. "Here, kid." Peter raised his arm as he caught the water bottle that Tony threw at him. They had been working out for three hours since lunch had ended, and Peter had been feeling slightly out of breath. Maybe the Avengers were right, and he was out of shape.
"You were pretty good there, kid." Tony said sounding impressed. "In a few years you will probably be at Roger's level."
Peter smiled at the rush of appreciation. "I'll be better than Captain Rogers."
Steve rolled his eyes. "In your dreams, kid."
The realization dawn on Peter that the day was slowly ending and that he needed to return to Queens instead of eating dinner with the Avengers and curling up and watching a movie. He stood up and informed them. "Guys today was really fun, thanks for teaching me but I really need to head back home. Mr. Stark, do you think that Happy can give me a ride?"
"Are you sure that you don't want to stay for dinner?" Tony asked as he took a sip of water. "You didn't eat much at lunch. You and Wanda were too busy giggling."
"I didn't eat much because I didn't want to feel full for the training session." Peter replied. "And I can't stay for dinner because May is getting her cast off today and I don't want Scott to- "
Tony raised an eyebrow. "You don't want Scott to what?"
Peter stumbled with his answer, how could he be so foolish? "Scott was going to make raspberry and lemon cake for dessert to celebrate that May got her cast remove. I don't want to disappoint them by not being there." He hoped that his lie hadn't been too obvious, but he was surprised by how easily the lie slipped out of his tongue.
"Actually, I can drive you." Dr. Banner spoke up as he came into the training room.
Peter's heart dropped. Great. The last thing that he needed was for Dr. Banner to start asking questions that he obviously hadn't had a chance to ask during lunch. "Oh, Dr. Banner that's ok you don't have too. I'm sure you're busy, Happy can take me back to Queens."
"Not busy at all," Dr. Banner interrupted. "Say your goodbyes and I'll wait for you in the car."
Peter quickly said his goodbyes trying to hide the anxiety that he was feeling from his face. He got into a plain, navy blue car that looked like it was a 2005 model instead of the usual fancy cars that Tony had stacked in his garage. "I didn't know you drove. I never see you."
"I don't really enjoy it," Bruce said sheepishly. "I prefer walking to be honest."
There was an amount of awkward silence as they exited the compound. "How was your training? I heard a lot of shouting going on."
"We got a little over excited." Peter said trying to keep his heart from jumping outside of his chest. "But it went well, if Thanos 2.0 ever shows up I'm sure that I will be able to take him."
Bruce laughed. "Of course, you will. Peter about the pills that Dr. Strange gave you make sure that you are only taking them when you need them. They can be addictive because they're stronger than regular pills."
"I know," Peter said suddenly irritated. Why did the conversation always have to lead back to his injuries or pain pills? Why couldn't Dr. Banner just let it go? "I'm not an idiot. I know that you are only supposed to take the pills when you need them."
Bruce looked surprised at his annoyance. "I never said you were. I'm just telling you to be careful, addiction is not a pretty thing and with your metabolism and everything that you have going on- "
Peter flushed bright pink and he suddenly regretted losing his temper. "I-I'm sorry Dr. Banner I didn't mean to be rude. I guess I'm just a little stressed. I have had people fussing over me, more than usual ever since things turned back to normal, but I'm fine. I don't need people worrying about me."
"That's because people care, Peter you are a great kid," Bruce replied as he raised his left hand in mock surrender. "But I get it I will dial down on the fussing. You're a great kid, Pete I hope that you know that."
Peter was desperate to change the conversation, "Miss Potts told me that you used to be a doctor in India?"
For the rest of the trip back to Queens Bruce rambled on about the work that he did in India while Peter pretended to listen, but the only thing he could think about was his sore muscles. What was wrong with him? He could usually get through a tough training session like today and not feel anything, but right now his body felt practically useless now.
Bruce dropped him off in front of his apartment building. "Have a good evening, Pete."
"Thank you, Dr. Banner and sorry if I was uh-rude earlier."
Dr. Banner winked. "Consider it forgotten, kid."
Peter walked slowly up to his apartment building. He really didn't want to go back to his apartment. He knew that Scott was going to be there and putting on that fake smile was becoming more and more exhausting each time. A welcoming thought entered his head. May's cast was gone which meant that Scott was going back to his own apartment which Peter could only hope.
That placed a smile on Peter's face as he opened the door. He heard May laughing in the kitchen and he saw that Scott and she were toasting with champagne. "Peter," May's eyes were shining. She always got a bit giggly after a few glasses of champagne. "How was Tony's?"
"It was great. What are we celebrating, that your cast got removed?"
May shook her head as she looked at Scott adoringly. "Peter, Scott and I are getting married!" she showed off her engagement ring. It was a gold band with a large diamond in the center. "He proposed while my cast was being taken off. Isn't that romantic?"
Peter's ears were ringing. They were getting married? This meant that Scott would be with Peter until he left for college. They would be living in the same tiny apartment together and Peter would practically have to walk on broken glass around him.
Scott raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you going to congratulate us?"
Peter replied faintly. "Congratulations." May didn't seem to notice his lack of enthusiasm instead she showed Peter her ring while Scott watched them.
Scott didn't stay the night and Peter was grateful for that, as he was getting ready for bed May came in looking both shy and happy. "Ok, Petey be honest with me. Are you happy that I'm getting remarried? Scott will never replace Ben of course- "
Peter nodded as he forced a smile on his face. His aunt looked so happy. He couldn't remember the last time he had seen her this happy. May deserved to be happy after everything Peter had made her go through. He could stand Scott for two more years. Peter pulled May into a hug, his voice cracking. "I'm really happy for you, May."
-End of Chapter Nineteen-
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