Title: My Favorite Weakness (is You)
Summary: To Eat or Not To Eat
Rating: T (for violence)
A/N: Thank you for the reviews! I appreciate anything you have to say: thoughts, ideas, feedback... constructive criticism! Now, sit back and enjoy!
- Chapter Four: The Fastest Way to a Friend's Heart... - -
Tony had arrived while Peter was already in the operating room. And they didn't even let. him. in.
"There's no point," they had said, "he's already under. Mr. Hogan only told us he was enhanced, so it took us a few tries to keep him under. He really gave the anesthesiologist a run for his money!" Tony didn't laugh.
They explained the ordeal to him, explaining what had happened. Apparently after the knife had been forced in, almost protruding out the front, his body had tried to begin healing around it. The surgeons were confused when they had to cut through freshly healed muscle in order to remove the blade. Otherwise, there were no signs of infection, and sleepiness was to be expected while his body healed. There was probably a bunch of other details, but as long as Peter was going to be okay, Tony would be okay.
Tony felt so stupid for shutting off all contact. When he'd seen the kid had called him SIX TIMES after the attack was thought to have happened, Tony felt guiltier than he had in a long time.
He didn't want to admit that he had forgotten he was partially responsible for a teenager when he'd decided to turn off communication.
"Only for emergencies" he had told the kid, and then he wasn't there. How Howard of him. Tony paused, thinking, "did I just compare myself to my father in terms of this kid?" He must have had more to drink than he'd thought.
When the surgery was over later that afternoon (thank Odin Happy had thought to leave the kid's mask on), Tony got rid of everyone and pulled up a chair. Dr. Cho said she expected Peter be sedated overnight until Sunday morning, so Tony decided to try to get a good ol' chair's night of shut eye.
That "night" ended up being a few hours, however, when Tony was awoken by Peter that same evening. The kid had to be in pain.
However, Peter denied it, no matter how Tony or Dr. Cho asked. Tony got the feeling the kid was hiding something from him; he supposed Peter was probably mad at him for being so unreliable. Hell, the kid's single guardian had left him, and trusted Tony. And Tony let him down the one time he'd needed it.
Then he'd let his feelings cause him to treat Peter like he did when Peter had woken up. Some support he had shown the kid.
Tony honestly wouldn't blame him if Peter never wanted to talk to him again. But he knew Peter was better than that, better than him.
Technically, he thought, this isn't the first time you weren't there. There was the whole vulture-guy thing last month (was it last month, or longer?). And sure, Tony hadn't reached out to the kid since then, but the kid was fine. He'd been the Spider-king of Queens, according to his spidey-suit's AI report. Peter was there for New York.
And Tony wasn't there for Peter.
And he wanted to be there, now.
If only Thy Very Own Captain America Himself weren't downstairs.
Tony promised himself to make it up to the kid, somehow, later. No, sometime soon. Besides, he had a feeling he would be able to use the distraction. He had Happy drop the suit off with the kid.
On his way out, Dr. Cho stopped him.
"My nephew is a big fan of Spider-Man, so I often hear about the amazing - and dangerous - things he is doing to protect those around him. I only say this to make sure you realize that he is a child."
No shit, Sherlock. Why was everyone doubting him all the time?
Tony got all caught up on what was going on with the Rogue's before he met them in person. This would be the second time he's seen them, the first was at that surprise meeting.
Tony officially hates surprises.
However, his next surprise is a pleasant one, though he wouldn't admit it. Steve Rogers hardly said a word, despite Tony's tired snappiness throughout the entire House Welcoming speech thing Tony gave, and Natasha Romanoff didn't speak to him at all. Who knew where Barton was. Oh, yes, and the Winter Murderer, here was somewhere around here too, unfortunately.
Sure, it wasn't the warmest house welcoming, especially by Tony's standards, nor the best ice breaker (if it could count as one at all), but Tony was the good Samaritan here, right? Besides, it was late. And Tony was running with neither enough caffeine nor sleep to last through anything confrontational.
The only good news was that the Rogues (someone had told him to stop calling them that) would be going back and forth from the tower to the compound, so with a little planning and strategy, Tony would be able to avoid them.
This was the longest weekend Tony could remember having for a while, and he hoped that the week was getting all of its terribleness out in this weekend before.
- Day 3 -
Peter figures he shouldn't have been surprised to find the suit the next morning, already fixed, in the bag that he'd carried home his stuff from Mr. Stark's medical wing. It was folded in a black zipper bag thingy this time, with a note that read, "FEEL BETTER FIRST" then in smaller letters, "Queens needs a living Spider-Man."
Peter knew he shouldn't go out on patrol Sunday, being the day after surgery, which of course ensured that that was the only thing he wanted to do. He scarfed down a bowl of cereal and headed out, and a slow morning allowed him to call May and Ned.
Everything seemed to be going well; the only thing was that he felt weak and dizzy at times, even when he was doing minimal work, but that could be expected the day after surgery.
He was eating a hot dog that an elderly couple bought him after he stopped someone from stealing the old lady's purse, when his suit alerted him to a call; Peter was surprised to see who it was, and he had Karen patch it through (as if he had a choice).
"Out again so soon?" Tony Stark's voice met him with his friendly but accusative voice.
Peter's mouth was full, but he answered anyway, assuming Tony could hear him with the bottom of the mask pulled up (he was right). "Uh, Queens needed her Spider-Man?"
"Mm-hmm." Peter could hear the disbelief in his voice; but then he went on. "So I was thinking, I've got a few things I'm working on and thought you might be interested in, I don't know, being like a trainee or something for a day."
It wasn't a question, but Peter answered anyway, "that would be awesome Mr. Stark, I'd love to!"
"Alright, I'll pick you up when you get down here."
Peter looked down, not sure what he was looking for.
"A little to the left," Mr. Stark said. Peter followed and recognized Mr. Stark's car immediately - not because he'd seen it before, but because the bright red car stood out more on the streets than his red and blue did in the sky.
"I see you," Peter exclaimed, before jumping off the wall, catching himself and landing right next to the car. Mr. Stark didn't let him in, though.
Looking at him through the open window, with his sunglasses on, Tony said, "say, why don't we meet at the tower, for your identity's sake," he gestured to the interested onlookers who, understandably, were gazing curiously at The Spider-Man approaching the multi-million dollar vehicle. Peter didn't understand how Spider-Man hanging out with Iron Man could give Peter Parker away, since the two of them didn't hang out as is (with either identity), but it sounded promising to him so he agreed. Peter would have appreciated the car ride, though, since his dizziness and tiredness were rapidly transforming into nausea and weakness; his arm didn't hurt, however. He didn't say anything about it to Mr. Stark, though, and headed off for Stark Tower.
Once they arrived, they make small talk as Tony leads him upstairs. Peter took in everything he'd missed when he had last been here.
When they got off the elevator, FRIDAY's intruding voice caused Peter to jump. "Welcome back, boss. And who's your friend?"
Tony motioned to Peter while he walked, though Peter couldn't see anyone in the room. "FRIDAY, meet Peter, Peter meet FRIDAY."
"Hello Peter, it's nice to meet you," she said.
"Where is she?" Peter asked, looking at the ceiling.
"She's AI."
"Like Karen," Peter nodded in understanding.
"Who?" It was Tony's turn to be confused.
Peter's cheeks tinged pink. "Um, that's what I named my suit's AI."
Tony smirked. "After someone you know?"
Peter groaned, "ew, absolutely not; that would be weird."
Tony, "I guess it would depend on who you're naming it after. By the way, you've got normal clothes on under that suit, right?"
"um..." Peter looked down.
"That's okay, I've got backup."
One embarrassing outfit later, Peter found himself wearing clothes he'd never be caught dead in at school; that, and the outfit together probably cost more than a month's rent on their apartment. Peter walked out, speechless.
"You look like a puppy in a costume."
"Do not."
"Do too."
"Shut up."
"Ouch, that hurt. Are you saying you don't like my style?"
"No-NoNoNo - I just mean that your style isn't exactly... my style."
"You're just being nice."
Peter followed him up another level and down a hallway; then they turned a corner, and Peter froze. This was Tony Stark's lab. Peter could have fainted; in fact he had to move, otherwise he might have.
"Whatchya think? A little bit of an upgrade from even Midtown's, if I dare say so myself." Tony smiled at how in-awe the boy was, his eyes big and hands shaking.
Peter laughed, walking in circles now in an attempt to take everything in, "Yeah, a little." Even the feelings of weakness and dizziness subsided as his brain just focused on what he was looking at.
He turned back to Tony; "What did you say you needed help with?"
Tony smiled, "a distraction. Where would you like to begin? I have your current suit's blueprint right here, I'd love to hear your ideas on any upgrades; I promise I'll at least consider them."
A couple hours passed, and Peter was working on trying to make the suit material on his hands more comfortable; he was working a few feet (about a meter) down from Tony at the same table - he'd insisted on staying close despite Tony telling him he was free to roam. Tony had music on, playing lower volume than he'd normally set it for the sake of Peter's young and enhanced ears, which also enabled them to hear the moment someone began dialing the keypad to come enter.
They both looked up to see Pepper at the door, and the music dimmed even more as it opened. Peter looked at Mr. Stark, who shrugged at him in response; Peter stood up.
She apparently did not see him at first, because she spoke directly to Tony.
"Tony, we talked about this, you can't just-"
"Pepper, how are you?"
"I'm swamped with your neglected work. We just talked last night- Who's this?" Pepper froze, noticing Peter, who was looking not-okay.
"This is my intern, Peter. Mr. Parker this is Pepper."
Peter was doing his best to stand and act normal. But in truth something was wrong.
As soon as he'd stood up, it'd felt like all the blood had left him, and its grounding mechanism as well. His vision was splotchy like a lava lamp, and he could only catch glimpses of Ms. Pepper Potts the Pepper Potts between black globs.
The world seemed to spin, and next thing he knew he was on the floor again. He heard their footsteps rushing over to him as he struggled to sit up. He cursed himself in his head.
"Tony-" he heard Ms. Potts say, concerned.
"I'm okay, Ms. Potts," Peter groaned and sat up. the splotches were gone for the time being, but had been replaced by pain in his stomach.
"He wasn't even that excited to meet me," Tony chipped, kneeling down next to him, "you should feel honored," he said to Pepper. Peter knew he'd be getting an earful from Mr. Stark later, but could feel his cheeks turn pink anyway.
"Tony." Pepper gave him a disapproving look before turning back to the boy on the floor. "Peter, are you alright?"
"Yes, I just," he tried to process what caused that to happen, and realized his stomach hurt. "I think I'm hungry?"
Pepper spoke to him, but looked at Tony. "We'll make sure you get some food. Any responsible adult knows teenagers get hungry."
Tony looked guilty and rolled his eyes, "you assume I'm an adult."
"I hold on to the hope, for some reason" Pepper returned, reaching for Peter's hand to help him up.
Peter jumped up, instead, to show that he was alright, holding onto the table for extra support.
"Why don't I bring him to get food, and you-" Tony started.
"- and you will meet me right back in the conference room. The one close to the kitchen."
She could tell by Tony's face he wasn't for it, but he could tell she wasn't joking. "Sounds great, Ms. Potts," he replied sarcastically but submitting in his own way.
After Mr. Stark and Peter were in the kitchen alone, Mr. Stark sat him down on a stool. Peter felt like he was about to be interrogated; turns out, he wasn't exactly wrong.
"Pray, tell me," Mr. Stark began, facing him opposite of the kitchen's bar-style counter, "When was the last time you've eaten?"
"I had a hotdog today around noon, right before you called me!" Peter defended himself.
"And before that?"
"I had breakfast."
"Composed of?"
"Cereal."
"Hot cereal?"
"Corn flakes."
Tony raised an eyebrow, and turned towards the cabinets, beginning his first quest to Find Peter Food.Ⓡ
"So you weren't just star-struck by Pepper?"
Peter blushed again, and black splotches returned to his vision with the shift in blood.
Tony continued, "And dinner last night?"
Peter thought for a moment. He had, had lunch yesterday, but then there was the whole stabbing incident, the med-bay visit, and then Happy had dropped him off. He had forgotten to eat before bed in his excitement, talking with Ned.
Tony interrupted his thoughts: "What did you have for dinner?" He asked again, thinking maybe he didn't hear.
"Um, nothing?"
Tony turned to him, placing a plate filled with a Pop tart, a small bag of chips, a cheese stick, a banana, a pack of crackers, and a couple of Eggos in front of him.
Peter looked at the interesting array of food; "do you always eat like a 12-year-old, Mr. Stark?"
Tony rolled his eyes. "This is to boost your blood glucose. The nutritive stuff will come next. Kid, look; I just found out you have some super crazy hungry metabolism from the way you blew through those medications yesterday, but I know you're smart enough to have known. I'm not going to ask why you didn't say anything or why you didn't eat yesterday, but surely you know you have to keep eating more to keep up with what your body requires. You know that, right?"
Peter thought about how he'd started eating more, but he tried not to run Aunt May out of her budget. This wasn't the first time he'd been hungry, he was sad to admit. It was usually little snacks throughout the day that kept him going. He looked up, Mr. Stark was watching him. "I know." Too late. Mr. Stark had a similar expression on his face to when Peter'd said he wasn't in pain, yesterday; like he knew Peter was keeping something from him. Aunt May always said Peter was a bad liar.
Just then Tony's phone buzzed; it was a reminder message from Pepper, saying she was waiting for him. Tony silenced it and stuffed it back in his pocket. "I'm not leaving 'til you eat all that."
"Mr. Stark, please."
"Is it too much? Not enough? I was planning on a second serving of actual food, but I don't have to. Do you not like it? Are you allergic?"
"No, it's not that, the food's fine, really, and I don't have allergies anymore."
Tony considered what that meant for a second. He pulled up a stool anyways; "I'll just start work then, from here."
All of a sudden Pepper turned the corner, and smiled at him. "Hi Peter, sorry to interrupt."
"Hi Ms. Potts!"
"Please, call me Pepper." Peter swore he could hear Tony's eyes roll this time and decided he liked her. He'd seen on TV how people treated Mr. Stark weirdly, and Ms. Potts seemed like the kind of person who gave everyone an equal chance to prove who they were; she seemed honest with Mr. Stark, and didn't automatically treat Peter like a kid, which many adults do.
"As much as I'd hate to interrupt the first session of work you've voluntarily sat down to do, Tony, I need to discuss some things with you first."
Tony stood up, "I know." He looked back at Peter, pointing at him while continuing walking away. "You, eat as much as you want. There's food in there, and I promise I can get more if you eat it all. If there's something missing you'd like, just let me-"
"I'm good, Mr. Stark, thank you!"
Tony gave him a thumbs up, and Peter smiled until their backs were tuned. After the door closed, he could hear their voices fade as they walked away. "First of all, Tony, you don't have time for an intern. And where did you find him? He seems like a genuinely good kid."
Whatever Mr. Stark responded, Peter couldn't hear. They were out of range by the next time Pepper must have spoken, because Peter found himself accompanied by silence and food. He pulled out his phone as he began eating, more than excited to tell Ned about Tony Stark's Lab.
Peter: NED ARE YOU THERE
Ned: OF COURSE
Ned: Where are you?
Peter: I got to work in TONY STARK'S LAB
Peter: like his actual workshop !
All of a sudden Peter's spider-sense alerted him to... someone? He looked up, and made eye contact with the big person standing still in the door. Peter didn't recognize him at first; probably because of the normal "street clothes" he was wearing. The guy obviously had no idea who Peter was, and was just standing there staring at him. Not that Peter was doing any different. But Peter spoke, quietly, as if amazed.
"You're the Winter Soldier."
The Winter Soldier shifted; Peter couldn't tell what he was thinking. Peter spoke again.
"I'm Peter. Do you need the kitchen? Do you want me to leave? I can go somewhere else. Or you can just come in, though you don't need my permission, of course. I don't mind if you want to eat, I just hope I'm not in your way. I don't know where anything is but I could help you look if you want."
Peter stared at the Winter Soldier. What was his name again? Peter remembered reading about him somewhere. Barnes, right? John. no James Barnes.
He just stood there for a minute, and they both stared at each other in silence; Peter was internally mad at himself for running his mouth. How typical Peter Parker of him.
Peter's stomach broke the silence, and he figured if Mr. Barnes wasn't going to do anything than he might as well continue eating, which he did.
"I know."
Peter paused mid chew, and looked up, wondering what that was supposed to mean. Then he explained himself.
"Your name. I heard Pepper call you Peter."
Peter paused, then nodded in understanding and continued eating his Pop tart. Mr. Barnes came further in the kitchen, actually in the room now, just on the other side. He was still facing Peter when he spoke again.
"I also heard Stark say you had an enhanced metabolism?" Peter froze. No one knew of his powers except Ned, Mr. Stark, and most recently Aunt May. He looked back at Mr. Barnes, clearly more fearful this time. Mr. Barnes could apparently pick up on it, though Peter knew he was probably easy to read.
"I won't tell anyone, if it's a private thing." Peter didn't know what to say, so he just nodded to affirm the statement. Mr. Barnes nodded in return, shifting his stance again as if uncomfortable; his eyes wouldn't meet Peter's now, as if he felt out of place.
"I won't tell anyone," he repeated, "I just wanted to offer some help with the diet thing. I've got... a faster metabolism also. So I get it."
Peter nodded again, this time mad at himself for not being able to come up with something to say.
Mr. Barnes looked even more uncomfortable, which Peter thought was weird considering he was one of the coolest guys in existence. He couldn't wait to tell Ned.
"Do you... can I... may I offer some suggestions? I'd be happy to let you try some samples, if you'd like."
"You can cook?" Peter asked this before he thought about it; he mentally kicked himself again. The picture in his head of the Winter Soldier cooking initially just seemed funny to him.
But Mr. Barnes just smiled back, "more or less."
It ended up being more, as Mr. Barnes set some form of delicious smelling chicken in front of Peter not even 20 minutes later after having a discussion on vitamins, minerals, how one could take supplements but only if necessary; preferably one should eat a balanced diet, amplified to their body's needs. Peter was in awe of what was just placed in front of him; it smelled like how the food in magazines looked like they would.
"For example, chicken is a good source of protein, several of the vitamin B's, iron, and phosphorous," Bucky explained, concluding their discussion. Peter quickly replaced his half-eaten bag of chips with the fresh chicken Mr. Barnes set in front of him.
"Mr. Barnes this is amazing!"
"Please call me Bucky."
"Bucky this is amazing!"
Bucky smiled. "Thank you. And if you eat slower, you'll have a better reading of when you actually get full."
Peter ate the second half of the meal slower than the first half.
"Where'd you learn to cook?" he asked, after the plate was clean; he picked up the bag of crackers to continue his meal.
"Mostly from my mother." Bucky had taken a seat a few seats down from Peter after he'd made another serving for himself.
"Do you teach classes," Peter asked, "because you could." He ate the banana next.
"Nothing planned yet," Bucky replied, "but it seems someone may have to, for you. It actually is important to eat better than a twelve year old, like you said before. Especially if your body needs more than the average Guy. Which it definitely seems like yours does, considering it looks like you could probably give Steve a run for his money, just from what I've seen so far."
"Steve- Steve Rogers?" Peter traded the banana peel for an Eggo.
"The one and only." Peter was too interested in what Bucky was saying to see how fascinated Bucky was with what Peter was eating.
"Is Captain America here?"
"Somewhere. But really, Peter, you should be eating an avocado rather than that bread thing. It's just empty sugar, it won't fill you up nor give you any essential nutrients."
"I don't like avocados."
Bucky feigned offense, but smiled; "I'm sorry but you would - you just obviously haven't tried any I've prepared."
"Clearly not. But I'd be down." Peter smiled.
Just then he turned towards the door; he could hear footsteps approaching. It had been almost an hour since Mr. Stark had gone, so he figured they were his. Peter turned back to Bucky, only to find him on the other side of the counter already, putting his dishes in the sink. "I'll get those later," he said quietly, and was out the side door half a second before Mr. Stark opened the door. Peter didn't say anything, still confused by the sudden disappearance of Bucky.
"Only on the Eggos, I see." Mr. Stark prompted as he entered the room, taking in Peter's plate.
Peter smiled. Apparently not convincing enough.
"Were they really that bad?" Mr. Stark looked hurt, "I can make something else."
"No, thanks. How was your meeting?"
"48 minutes longer than I prefer them." He turned, noticing the dishes in the sink. "Who else was in here?"
Peter paused, considering for just a second that he knew Bucky obviously hadn't wanted to see Mr. Stark. But he wasn't here now, and Peter didn't know see why not, so he answered truthfully. "Bucky came in and made some chicken."
Mr. Stark kept his back turned on Peter for a couple seconds before turning back to him. He looked at the kitchen's side door, as if he knew that's where Bucky had come from. He walked over to it and slid the door shut.
Then, returning to Peter he asked (almost demanded), "what did he tell you?"
Peter shrugged. "He was nice. He talked about what I should be eating to maintain a healthy diet. He made extra chicken for me, too."
"He made you chicken."
"It was really good."
"Did he talk about anything else, maybe not concerning food?"
"No…... oh, only that Captain America is also here!"
"And..."
"No that's it. Did you know he was here? I mean, of course you did. Is he not-illegal anymore?"
"Hm. I know."
Peter thought that was a weird response, but he didn't say anything else.
Mr. Stark looked at him, thoughtfully. "This is what my meetings have been about."
"That 'problem' you needed a distraction from?"
"Hm."
Peter took that as a yes. He didn't know why Captain America and some of the other Avengers all of a sudden became fugitives, other than what had shown up on the news. But he was excited they were back. Apparently Mr. Stark, not so much.
"Can I help with anything?" Peter asked.
Tony was leaning on his elbows on the counter, facing Peter. He came out of his thoughts, and looked back at Peter again.
"Just keep doin' what you're doing."
That didn't answer Peter's question, but he didn't push more.
"I'm sorry," Mr. Stark said.
"What? Why?" Peter was really confused, now, but Mr. Stark again didn't answer him.
"I was thinking we could go back to the workshop for a few hours, then pick something up for Sunday dinner before I bring you home. How does that sound?"
"Sounds great!"
"Wonderful."
So that's what they did, this time free from any calls, AI, visitors, or hunger.
A/N: What do you think? Ready for some more? (some more... what?)
