- Chapter One: Day One -
"Two weeks!?"
Peter asked, more incredulously than not. How could Aunt May's work ask her to come in for two whole weeks? It seemed she was already living there, and asking her to literally stay at the hospital seemed to be asking too much.
"I know, hun," May responded, and Peter knew she was just as bummed as he was, if not more. "but there are so many unknowns with this knew virus, they want to make sure that the medical staff aren't spreading it. We come into contact with more carriers than anyone else! It was either this or stay home for the next two weeks. I'm really sorry, Peter."
Peter was sitting next to his aunt at the breakfast table, eating what many would refer to as a weekend brunch, except it was a Thursday. They had both slept in, something Peter had no problem getting used to once the schools had closed to prevent the spread of a new virus.
They figured out details all weekend. Peter was to stay either at the apartment or at Ned's; she had gone over the rules with him so often he literally dreamed about them ("no Spider-Manning unless Tony Stark directly gives you permission, and don't stay out later than 10. Fine, 11 pm. And I don't care if you call me, text me, or write letters – just communicate with me").
Throughout the days leading up to her leaving, she'd randomly stop and give him one of her backbreaking hugs; "I'll transfer my love to you now via osmosis, to make our phone calls easier," she explained.
Despite the fun he knew he'd be having over the next 12 days, it didn't compare to how much he was looking forward to her returning.
His heart hurt, and she wasn't even gone yet. He was going to need to keep himself busy to make it through the upcoming weeks.
- Day 1 -
It was no surprise, therefore, that Ned was there less than an hour after May's departure the next day, both of them on their computers scoping out the city.
Peter couldn't resist the relaxed grin that rested on his face as he scrolled recent articles, trying to figure out what kinds of crimes he should be on the lookout for.
"Did you hear about that guy who got arrested for stealing toilet paper? I guess he won't need it if he ends up in prison." Ned talks almost as fast as his fingers whir on the keys, somehow clicking and reading and talking all at once.
"People are doing weird things," Peter agreed, "but I'm pretty sure you don't go to prison for stealing toilet paper."
"Who knows?" Ned shrugged, "anyways, you can Spider-Man all day now! Despite everyone being home, burglaries have spiked! Or maybe it's because they have no creativity and can't think of anything else to do."
Peter smiled and spun around in his chair, "I don't understand it. Who could get bored when the entire internet exists?! Haven't you people heard of YouTube? I mean, learn a language or how to play the ukelele or something." His eyes wandered to the window, where the sunny and empty streets of New York were walking by.
Peter sighed; "I'm going to call Mr. Stark and let him know I'm going out on patrol."
"You guys are still talking?"
"We don't talk any less than before." Peter didn't look at Ned. "Besides, he's kinda in charge of me while Aunt May's gone."
"What?" Ned actually stopped typing; "like your guardian? He agreed to that? You guys are that close?"
Peter sighed; "Not really."
Peter looked down at Happy's text in his phone. Ned was right; there was no call or text history there, only the number which Happy Hogan had probably quite reluctantly forwarded him.
After Peter had turned down Mr. Stark's offer to join the Avengers, they hadn't made much contact. None, actually.
Peter had been thrilled to find the gifted suit, and hoped that Mr. Stark's paper-bag gift was a display of a more relaxed... friendship between them, but Peter wasn't even sure "friendship" was the right word.
He hadn't even gotten a reply from Happy, despite his ever decreasing updates, until last week. Looking at it now, he could read Happy's reluctance to send it:
Happy :): I've attached Tony's number. FOR EMERGENCIES ONLY.
Peter sighed, ignoring the pang in his chest as he called the attached number.
"You're still Spider-Man, right? Even though you turned down the spot?" Ned spoke fast over the ringing.
"Yes, Ned, and I didn't turn down Spider-Man, just a spot on the Avengers. We went over this."
"Right, right, I just didn't know what Tony Stark thought about it."
You and me both, Peter thought.
Ned went on, "Like, you turned down being an Avenger. Is Spider-Man even legal now? Or are you technically a wanted vigilante like Captain America?"
Peter grinned as the line rang; "Why do you think Spider-Man only shows up at night?"
"Because Spider-Man has homework," Ned teased.
Peter gave him an unamused expression, "It was a joke."
All of a sudden, Tony's voice spoke up:
"What was a joke?"
"Mr. Stark!" Peter kicked himself for sounding surprised. He didn't know why he felt nervous about talking to Mr. Stark.
"Hi Mr. Stark, how are you?"
"A joke, apparently." Tony's voice was full of its usual sarcasm.
"No-no-no-no, that was for something else! Ned and I were talking about Spider-Man, and he said that-"
"Kid! You're good. Sheesh, I was also joking," Peter waited a beat, trying not to focus on his friend's starstruck face.
"What's up, kid? You called me for something, and I hope it's not cuz you're lonely. Aunt Hottie can't have been gone for... what, an hour tops? Have you and your friend already gotten in trouble? If so, please call Happy for those things, he's really good at handling problems."
"Yes Mr. Stark! I mean, No? I just, Aunt May said I needed to let you know when I am going to go on patrol, so, I was calling to let you know I am going on patrol."
He could hear Tony sigh over the phone. For a hot second he thought he was about to be turned down, and his nerves flashed at the thought of not being able to patrol for two entire weeks.
"Sure, like I told your Aunt, I don't care when you go out. You're your own thing, and I respect that." Peter took that as an affirmative, and he gave Ned an excited thumbs up as he made his way to the closet to get the suit out.
"But it makes her feel better, and you've got my number now, so please feel free to text when you're going out. Save the calls for Emergency Only. Capisce?"
"Capace, Mr. Stark! Thank you so much! I really appreciate it, thank you again for being willing to step in while-"
"I'ma stop you right there, kiddo. It's no problem, honest. But I'm being summoned, so have fun, stay safe, wear sunscreen, say no to drugs, yada yada yada. I trust you to make the right call. That's okay, right?"
"Yes sir, I just-"
"Perfecto. Ciao kid!"
Peter tossed his phone onto the bed and he and Ned began their adventure, day one.
Tony could practically hear the kid bouncing; he reassured himself that none of Peter's excitement was for Tony himself, but rather his freedom to be Spider-Man. Hell, Tony would be that excited if the government would tell him to just text them whenever Iron Man would be making an appearance.
Peter's aunt had reached out to him, asking Tony to be there for Peter. She apparently knew of his alternate identity now, a development Tony hadn't known about. Maybe Happy had forgotten to tell him, or it was recent.
Not that it mattered to him, of course. Of course not. Why would it? Peter was running his own gig now, and didn't want or need Tony, he told himself.
He was pulled from his thoughts as Pepper knocked again at his car window, facing her wrist towards him to emphasize the time on her watch.
He stepped out of the car, stepping in line with Pepper, who somehow kept everything she managed under perfect control: the company, her beautiful appearance, and the people she worked with. That is, everything except Tony. He knew he was the biggest problem in her smooth, flawless system, and he figured he was the only flaw keeping her from reaching perfection.
Her words were sharp, but her tone kind; "who was that on the phone? I hope they were important enough to make us late for this meeting."
"I thought I surrendered these meetings when I gave you the company," Tony responded, ignoring her question. They walked into he building, using her key card to get in and down a hall.
"You surrendered these meetings when you turned over the company," she said, holding up a folder thick with paperwork; "this meeting, however," she held up a pamphlet as a representation of the importance of the meeting, "is one I can't go to for you. It has something to do with SHIELD."
Tony stopped in his tracks, and gave Pepper a sour expression.
She rolled her eyes at him, to which he scowled; "Please," she said, leading him to the next door on the right, "they said it's important you were there; you know I'd have gotten you out of it otherwise."
Tony knew she was right and knew better than to get on SHIELD's bad side, so he went in and was met with immediate regret.
His first mistake.
Tony's second mistake was forgetting about Peter, as he began discussing legal changes with SHIELD Agents concerning the distracting presences in the room: the Rogue Avengers.
Author's Note: I hope you liked this chapter! There is much, muchmore to come… Everything is about to change for Tony and Peter.
