A Hero's Return

by Annie Walker

Peter Parker finally returns home after being on the run for almost a year. He's excited to live in the Avengers compound with his family and heroes, but everyone knows that it's not easy to adjust to a life in the public eye. Peter may think all is well and great, but his guardians know otherwise. Especially when a person from Peter's parents' past makes a return to the city.

35. Epilogue - Peter Parker

Peter Parker fidgeted in his seat. It was odd to be seated among a sea of blue gowns and caps. Eyes dazzled by the swinging of gold tassels from head sways and nervous jitters as everyone waited with impatient breaths. In front, high up on a makeshift stage, stood Principal Morita and teacher Roger Harrington, among others who seated in the back of the stage.

Principal Morita was dressed in large black robes and cap. He stood by the podium, microphone arched to be near his mouth as he spoke to the large audience in front of him. Mr. Harrington, beard trimmed and hair washed, was dressed in a green-lined checkered shirt with a blue blazer and yellow tie, beaming as another student shook his hand in gratitude. Morita called out another name, and claps could be heard behind the small graduating class as another student walked across the stage to accept their diploma.

Peter Parker fiddled with the vibranium ring, twisting it over and over his finger. It wasn't a class ring. It's a warrior ring given to him by King T'Challa of Wakanda. Ned said it was far better than a stupid class ring, but that wasn't the point. The point was Peter didn't truly belong in this group of graduating seniors. He stopped attending Midtown when he got shot. He never returned to the classes or clubs. The only reason he sat among his former classmates was because he moped about missing graduation to May. Soon, phone calls were made and arrangements taken care of, and Peter was ordered a cap and gown. Principal Morita agreed to let Peter walk across the stage with his former graduating class. Peter found it impossible, but all May said was "Tony talked to him." And that was that.

Still, Peter looked about at his fellow, former classmates. He used to sit next to them in classes. Ate lunch in the same cafeteria. Ran laps around the gymnasium together. Worked on lab projects for midterms or finals. But, since the attack on Midtown Tech, Peter hadn't been able to experience the comradery the rest of his graduating class had with each other. He missed it. He wanted it. Instead, for his junior and senior year, he was homeschooled by the best educators Tony provided.

Ned told him he was being ridiculous. "You came to all the important things."

Peter didn't think a few movie nights counted as important things. He didn't participate in any after-school activities or school spirit. Didn't attend field trips or decathlon trips with them. He showed up to a few of the competitions as an audience member, but not all due to having no one to drive him from the Compound. When Peter met up with his friends and old classmates, he was left clueless on the gossip regarding relationships, projects and things that happened in school. He missed witnessing Jason Ionello make a fool of himself when, on air, he asked Betty Bryant out on a date only to be rejected. He missed Mr. Harrington sitting on his banana and not realizing it for the full period, teaching the class with a soggy bottom. And he missed the epic competition in engineering class where students built their own self-powered racecars and competed on the track.

He missed a lot. But, at least he wasn't going to miss this.

Principal Morita cleared his throat. "Leeds, Ned!"

Peter perked up. Eyes darted to the end of the stage as he watched his best friend shuffle across the platform. Peter clapped, hands smacking hard enough to crack the sound around him. His enhanced hearing also picked up May Parker, whistling and cheering Ned on as he reached the principal. Ned's face burst into an ecstatic grin as he exchanged a handshake for a diploma. Peter hollered as Ned stumbled away, clutching his diploma in his hand.

Ned Leeds was going to be attending Carnegie Mellon University. Peter remembered the enthusiastic call early afternoon, Ned's voice blaring in his ear he shrieked over his acceptance letter. They celebrated by taking the boat out on the lake… until one of the Iron Man suits ordered them to go back. Both kids were grounded for a week for taking the boat without permission, but it was worth it.

Despite his happiness for his best friend, Peter was disappointed Ned would be attending a school so far away from him. May comforted him, reminding him that distance would never hinder their friendship. Ned attended Midtown while Peter stayed upstate, and their friendship remained strong throughout. It cheered Peter up a little.

Peter breathed deep, loosening his limbs underneath his large robes. As he did, he caught someone looking at him.

It was MJ. She already received her diploma early on during the ceremony. She sat a couple rows ahead, looking over her shoulder at him. She mouthed to him. "You're next."

And he was. His row was about to be called. They would line up behind the stage and await for their name to be called by the principal. Climb up the stairs and onto the stage, in front of their peers and families.

MJ noticed his slight shift in his seat, mouthing again, "Nervous?"

Peter nodded.

"It's easy," she mouthed. "Walk and don't trip."

If only it was that easy. Being who he was, walking across a stage required strategy. The simple manner of walking would be scrutinized and judged, torn apart by vultures who don't know him. Peter couldn't slouch or it would appear spoiled. He couldn't keep his head too high or be downgraded to cocky. Peter hated how such menial things became overblown or over-exaggerated. It made Peter's life harder than he wanted.

A teacher directed his row to get up. Peter rose along with his fellow peers to leave. He glanced back at MJ one more time.

"Wish me luck," he mouthed to her.

She smiled before shooting him the middle finger. Peter snorted at the gesture before he followed the student in front of him.

He tilted his head to the side, tipping his cap down to hide his face. He didn't want to rile up the crowd if they spot him. His former classmates may be fine with him joining in on the ceremony, but he didn't know how well the families would take it. Not that he didn't think they would disapprove (well, some people didn't like him being around their children—he wasn't offended by it), but he worried of the sudden hush of whispers or people getting over excited. Though it had been years since everything happened, strangers celebrated him and freaked out when they saw him. His face kept cropping up on newspapers or magazines and television screens. He recently learned HBO was going to produce a TV movie about his traumatic experience. Peter wanted to stop the film, but Tony told him they couldn't shut it down. All they could do is not support it and encourage the public to not watch it, but it would only garner more attention to the film. Peter hated it how the world treated him like he was some eccentric, billionaire superhero. He wasn't.

The teacher escorted them behind the curtain, double-checking that everyone was in the correct order and not hiding anything in their hand. Already, they confiscated gum, silly putty and a marble. Peter crinkled his brow, confused as to the purpose of the marble.

"When your name is called, you go up these stairs," she pointed to the small wooden steps, "and go straight to Principal Morita. You shake his hand, and then go to Mr. Harrington. Then down the steps and back to your seat. Any questions?"

No one voiced a question.

"Good," she declared. "Now—pay attention."

Peter breathed deep, fixing his sleeves and checking that his robe wasn't sticking to any part of him. He straightened his cap, watching the row of students in front of him also check themselves, fixing their caps and tassels.

Suddenly the person in front of him swung around. "Is there anything on my face?"

Bridget O'Neil stood still, waiting for Peter to scan her face and confirm. Peter saw nothing on her face.

"You're good," he told her and she immediately relaxed, turning away and erecting her back to wait her turn.

Peter couldn't help, but think of another person who should be standing beside him. Another student who should be decked out in oversized blue robes, wearing a casual smirk of indifference and rolling his eyes as everyone squirmed in nervousness.

Harry Osborn should be standing where Bridget was, right ahead of Peter. Should be waiting in line with him, talking about their futures and Harry making quips about Peter's nervousness that weren't condescending. But, Harry wasn't there. He vanished from Peter's life right when news broke out on Norman Osborn's death. Peer tried desperately to get a hold of him, called his number multiple times every day, reached out on Instagram and even tried emailing him. MJ told him to not even bother. Harry made it clear he didn't give a damn about them anymore. Ned was encouraging, but when days turned to weeks of no responses, Ned told Peter to forget it.

"He doesn't want to be our friend anymore," said Ned.

Ned and MJ already gave up on Harry. Their last encounter sealed the end of their friendship with Harry. Peter didn't want to give up though. It was his responsibility to make things right. To let Harry know that he didn't blame him for Norman's actions and that he didn't think less of Harry at all. May repeatedly told him it wasn't his fault. All he could do was wait for Harry's reply and if he ever did, to be kind. Until then, he needed to move on. Let go and not dwell on the mistakes and faults made outside his control.

"He made his decision," May told him after a month of staying with the Barton family. "You can't force him to be your friend if he doesn't want to" She rubbed small circles along his spine. "He's missing out, because you are the sweetest person in the world. But… sometimes, we meet the right people at the wrong time."

It hurt Peter that he couldn't help Harry. Peter read in the newspapers and listened to the media talk about Harry like he was a co-conspirator of his father. That he agreed to attend Midtown and to befriend Peter to lure him to his father's evil mechanism. It was all bullshit and Peter wanted to go straight to those news corporations to set the record straight, but everyone—particularly Tony—stopped him. Again, not his responsibility. They ordered him to not make any comments or statements in regards to what happened with Osborn or Thaddeus Ross.

Peter knew it was their attempt to shield him from public scrutiny, but Harry was his friend. As a friend, it was his responsibility to defend him. To shut down the gossip and sneers that painted his friend as a villain in a story where he was as innocent as Peter. Harry wasn't the bad guy. It was Norman. Harry wasn't anything close to his father. They only shared the surname. Nothing else.

That didn't matter to anyone else. The newspapers, magazines and television networks continued to harshly judge Harry and spew incorrect facts about him and their friendship. Not even the students at Midtown, who knew Harry well, spared him of criticisms and condemnation. Ned told him of the gossip spreading around the school about Harry. Ned did his best to put it to rest, but no one listened. And MJ never talked about it. Refused to say anything to anyone.

It angered Peter that he couldn't set the record straight. Pepper tried to comfort him, saying Osborn's press secretary probably already had a plan to shelter Harry from the torrent of accusations and smeared reputation. Pepper was probably right. She was always right. Peter hadn't heard Harry make a comment or statement either. Not since he yelled and insulted Ned and MJ. No one has heard from him since that day.

Eventually, Rhodey informed Peter of what happened to Harry. He moved in with his maternal uncle across the pond, living in the United Kingdom and attending boarding school. "A few friends of mine told me his uncle took custody of him," he told Peter one night after he caught Peter re-watching videos he, Ned and Harry made. "They thought it was best he got out of the country permanently. He's okay, Peter. He's with family."

Peter was happy that Harry was with family, but he wished the two had talked.

"Parker, Peter."

Peter blinked. He hadn't realized he now stood in front of the stairs. Bridget already gone and gotten her diploma. It was his turn to climb up, walk across the stage. He gathered his bearings and started his ascent. Already, he heard a shudder of whispers, people questioning that they heard correctly.

"Parker? As in… Peter Parker?"

"Spider-man is here!"

"What? Are you sure… no. That's not… but how?"

All those awed and puzzled voices were drowned out the moment Peter stepped out from behind the curtain.

A series of cheers, claps and whistles erupted like an auditory volcano. It was all quiet, hushed whispers before it became almost deafening with his enhanced hearing. The cackling of applause almost sounded like Thor arrived in the center of the ceremony. Peter slowed his steps as he turned to the noise.

There, taking up two and half rows, was Peter's entourage.

Taking up half a row was Natasha Romanoff, her hair returned to its natural color of blood red. On her lap was Nathaniel, copying Nat's hand-clapping motions. Next to her was Laura Barton, enthusiastically whistling her happiness of seeing him decked in a cap and gown. Beside her was her husband and famed archer, Clint Barton. He too whistled, interchanging with hearty applause while his daughter Lila jumped out of her seat, screaming her head off. Cooper rolled his eyes at her antics. Being fifteen years old now, Cooper tried to act nonchalant, thinking it made him more mature. Nonetheless, he clapped respectfully, like "the adult he think he is" (Clint's words).

In the next row, Sam Wilson and Steve Rogers sat side-by-side. Well, they did before they stood up, clapping proudly at his achievement. Sam did a fist pump in his direction, to which Peter subtly returned. Steve gave him a proud smile, eyes glimmering with esteem. Peter wondered if this was a big accomplishment in his eyes. For a man who grew up in the Great Depression followed by World War II, Peter wondered if Captain Rogers ever graduated from high school. Did he even attend high school? Peter never asked.

Down the row, Wanda and Vision sat, clapping politely and whispering to each other. Peter was surprised they wanted to come to the graduation. He knew Vision and Wanda, got to know them better over the two years they lived in the Compound. But, he didn't think they would want to attend his graduation ceremony. A long and tedious event that he wouldn't think they would enjoy. Perhaps Vision wanted to experience a human milestone? Vision learned to hide his android appearance, looking like a human with fair blonde hair and blue eyes. He blended in well. No one would think he was an android. Vision watched him intensely, his unnatural gaze unblinking. It made Peter feel more like a bug under a magnifying glass. He knew Vision didn't mean to and, admitting, Vision has grown and learned to be more humanlike, thanks to Wanda's teaching. When they caught him looking, they smiled and Vision gave him a thumbs up. Peter couldn't help, but chuckled at the gesture. At least the gesture was accurate. Last time Vision mistakenly gave Peter the middle finger.

Beside the odd couple was Happy Hogan and Colonel James Rhodes. Like Falcon and Captain America, Rhodey was on his feet, clapping and whistling. Happy stood up too, clapping and giving an approving nod. Big loud claps erupted as Happy's hands smacked together, following the beat around him. Rhodey shouted to Peter, "WAY TO GO PETE!"

Peter blushed at the sentiment. He rolled his lips, trying to not let the redness creep up his cheeks. His face always burned red whenever someone complimented him.

In the next row, Peter saw his aunt. May Parker was on her feet, showing off her homemade shirt. It was a picture of Peter. As a baby. Above the embarrassing photo were letterings that read: My Baby Graduated. Peter had begged May not to wear it, but May said she was the adult and overruled him. However, to prove she's a sweet and loving aunt, she compromised by wearing a fancy cardigan to cover it up when he wasn't walking across the stage.

May held Mary's camera, snapping multiple pictures as she cheer him on. "YAH PETER!" she cried, and she was crying. Even this far away, Peter saw tears falling off her eyebrows at every blink. Her cheeks turned rosy, flushed with pride at seeing Peter walking in flowing blue robes, across a stage.

Another person got up, wrapping an arm around her waist to pull her into a comforting hold. Everett Ross held his aunt close and beamed a large smile up at Peter. It took Peter some time to get over the fact that his aunt was dating, and decided to date Everett Ross. Everett was now his aunt's boyfriend. Peter liked Everett and approved the match, but sometimes seeing Everett at the breakfast nook when Peter woke up in the morning startled him.

Sitting in the chair next to May and Everett was Pepper Potts. Unlike his aunt, she wore a sundress appropriate for a ceremony or church service. Like everyone else, she clapped and cheered. But, most of the time, she was helping Maria clap along. Maria sat in her mother's lap, stunned by the sudden noise erupting from all sides. Pepper held her little hands in her own, teaching her to clap along with everyone else. Maria looked confused, but happy to smack her hands around and make noise without being reprimanded.

Maria reminded Peter of Tony Stark. Her hair was dark brown like Tony's and her eyes were round and dark, like Tony's eyes. Even her smile resembled more like Tony's mischievous smirk. Although, Pepper insisted Maria had her cheekbones and nose. Maria was a proud Stark, representing the very best of her parents.

Peter's eyes shifted to the next and final seat in the row.

Tony Stark.

Unlike everyone else, Tony didn't clap or whistle or stand on his feet screaming like a maniac. He stayed seated, reclined in the plastic chair, arms crossed. Sunglasses hid his eyes and most of his face, but Peter knew Tony was watching him accept his diploma.

"Congratulations Peter," Principal Morita said with a smile, pulling Peter's focus to him. They exchanged handshakes. "It's good to have you here."

"Same," Peter agreed and he meant it. There were days when he was on the run that he thought he may never reach this moment. Never get the chance to have a graduation. "Thank you for letting me walk."

"No problem at all," Principal Morita said, handing Peter a diploma.

Peter wondered if it was a real diploma, with Midtown's seal embossed on the paper and his name printed across the sheet.

He walked over to Mr. Harrington, who held out a hand to shake. Peter glanced at the hand. "I think we are far past handshakes," Peter hugged the teacher who risked his life to save his. "You're a good teacher, Mr. Harrington."

Mr. Harrington clapped Peter's back. "And you're a good student, Peter," he said, parting from the hug. "It was good to have you as one of my students, if only for two years."

Peter laughed as he turned away to clear the stage. Before he went down the steps, Peter gave one last look to his family and friends. They were all ecstatic and bursting with pride, grinning ear-to-ear, snapping pictures, clapping and whistling, and ignoring all the onlookers gaping at their rowdy bunch.

Except for Tony.

The sunglasses were gone. His face exposed. Eyes bright red and puffy, filled with tears until they overflowed down his cheeks. Peter's hearing picked up a sniffle from Tony. Pepper immediately passed him a tissue. When Tony realized Peter was staring, Tony radiated with pride in one single expression. His smile stretched long, reaching up to his eyes where they crinkled and brightened.

Tony Stark looked a mess and he didn't care.

It warmed Peter's heart to see Tony be proud of him. Even on something as menial as a high school graduation. Tony's high school lasted a year, and thought Peter was ready for college at fifteen anyway like he himself was at that age. Peter wasn't expecting Tony to get emotional at all. Yet, there he sat, tears streaming down his face and holding biggest smile Peter had ever seen.

Peter descended down the stairs off the stage and was ushered back to his seat. The rumbustious clapping faded as the next person's name was called. Peter returned to his seat, clutching onto the diploma resting on his lap. MJ turned around again, throwing a mocked eyebrow up before mouthing,

"Someone is popular."

Peter rolled his eyes. He could still hear a few whispers about him and the Avengers who all gathered in the back. And he bet that if he turned around to look at the audience, a few necks would be craning out to get a glimpse of either himself or one of the Avengers.

The ceremony continued. Once all the names were called and the last speech about the future was wrapped up, Principal Morita announced to the crowd of students they may not switch their tassels to the other side of their cap.

Peter plucked his gold and white strand and moved it from right to left.

"Congratulations, Class of 2020," Principal Morita's voice rang out from the microphone. "You are hereby graduates of Midtown School of Science and Technology."

The students all lurched from their seats, throwing their caps high up into air alongside screams of victory and freedom. People hugged one another. Other clapped each other on their shoulders or backs. They congratulated every person around them.

Peter jumped over his seat, making his way to MJ and Ned, who squeezed himself between students to reach them. The three of them met, glancing at one another with growing and glowing smiles.

And then, MJ wrapped her arms around their necks and pulled Peter and Ned in for a hug. Peter did the same, hugging his two friends close to him. They didn't say anything, but the hug they shared was enough.

They did it. They made it through the turbulence of high school. They studied their brains out. Tried out for clubs. Competed in decathlon meets. Ignored bullies. Went to dances. Went on dates. Worried over pimples. Worried over midterms and finals. Survived armed military attacks. Participated in civil outrage. Warded off reporters and investigators. Gained a friend and lost a friend.

They went through a lot in those four years. And through it all, they stuck by each other. Never wavering or faulting. They survived high school. Made it through everything, through thick and thin. The good times and the bad times. They overcame everything life threw at them and won.

They did it.

---

"I am so proud of you!"

May pulled Peter into a hug the second she could. It took a while to clear the students out to the reception area. When MJ, Ned and Peter entered the gymnasium with the rest of the graduating class, May was quick to find him and snared him into her tight embrace.

"I can tell," Peter gestured to the shirt that showed off his baby picture when she finally let him go. "Hard to miss."

May smiled, wiping a few stray tears from her eyes. "Oh… I'm so glad we did this. You deserve it. Don't you think?" she asked. "Anyone give you a hard time about it?"

"Nope. It was like I never left the school."

"You wouldn't have if it wasn't for Ross and Osborn."

"Aunt May!" Peter hushed, checking around them. No one seemed to have heard. "Let's not… talk about that here."

He hated talking about what conspired. How his life got tied up into Osborn's madness and Ross's obsession. People constantly approached him, wanting to know his thoughts and Peter didn't want to even think about it anymore. Osborn was dead and Ross would forever be in a high-security prison. Peter and his parents got their justice. Only Peter wished it never had to come to that at all.

"Okay, I won't," May promised, fixing his hair from where his cap flattened it. She let out a happy sigh, face smiling, but eyes reminiscing. "Your parents would be proud. Ben too."

Hearing of his parents and Uncle Ben always garnered a smile from him. Love swelling in memories of Uncle Ben at the kitchen table, encouraging and helping Peter with his projects. He cherished the stories of his parents May told of him or the few pictures in his possession. Unfortunately, that brief happiness always popped when reminded no more memories could be shared with his parents or uncle. He couldn't show his diploma to Uncle Ben or have a snapshot of him in his cap and gown with his parents at his side.

May must have noticed the droop in his expression, because she enveloped him into another loving hug. Peter rested his chin on her shoulder, using the moment to calm himself. May rubbed his back, and gently patted him.

"C'mon," she said, looping her arm around Peter's shoulders, "everyone else is waiting for you."

She led Peter to their little section of the gymnasium. The Avengers and their families took up a small portion of the gymnasium, separated from the rest of the students' families who intermingled others, boasting about which college their graduate would attend in the fall. A few other people trickled over to the Avengers, asking for photographs or autographs. But, when Peter arrived in tow with Aunt May, the Avengers ignored them to huddle around him.

"Congratulations, Peter," Captain America praised. "That's a big achievement."

"Let's see it," ordered Natasha, taking his diploma. She opened it and a little smirk appeared. "They actually gave you a real diploma."

"Peter! Peter! Peter!" Lila cried, tugging on his robes. "Did you see me? Did you hear me?"

Peter cracked a grin. "Oh course I heard you. You were the loudest one in the bunch," he said, playfully swiping under her chin. "Loved the dance moves too."

Lila beamed with giddy excitement before shooting Cooper a nasty look. "See! I told you he would like it."

Cooper was exasperated by his sister's antics and Peter playfully ribbed him, bantering a little with the kid. Cooper wanted to get back to the Compound to play hoops. Captain America promised a pick-up game between him and Wilson versus Peter and Cooper.

"We're all very proud of you, Peter," Laura Barton said, planting a kiss on his cheek while Clint good-naturedly ruffled his hair up. "You looked so happy up there."

"I was! I had fun," Peter admitted. He liked that he got to graduate with his former classmates. "I'm glad you came. I honestly didn't think you would."

He sent an invitation to the Barton family, but he expected they would only send him a card. After all, Clint kept his family hidden for a reason. No need to expose them to the public and be drawn into the dangerous world of the Avengers.

But, to his surprise, they packed up their vehicle and drove all the way down to New York. Peter was happy, but fretted over the possible exposure. Laura and Clint didn't seem to care. They wanted to see Peter graduate.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world," Clint replied. "You're one of us, kid. Gotta show up for family."

"And you are family, Peter. To all of us," Pepper said, adjusting Maria on her hip, but the toddler was having none of it. Her little arms kept making grabbing motions toward Peter, wanting to be held by him.

Pepper gave up and Peter took Maria in his arms, bouncing her a little as she gurgled in excitement. She started babbling and demonstrating to Peter how she clapped. They were soft against her baby fat hands, but Peter acted wowed and even faked a wince to make it appear her clap was loud.

Peter looked at the faces around him. Someone was missing. "Where's Tony?"

Pepper took Maria back into her arms, half-shrugging. "He gave some flimsy lie about needing to check something," she said. "Don't worry. He's around somewhere."

"All right," May cut through the group's chatter, clapping loud once to draw attention. "Time for pictures. Who wants to be the first one?"

The next half hour consisted of Peter taking multiple photographs with different members of the Avengers. He photographed with the Barton family first. They gathered around him, Laura and Clint on either side of him. Cooper standing in front of his father and Lila squeezing between her mother and Peter. Nathaniel didn't want to be held by his mother and chose to stand right in front of Peter, grabbing a fistful of his robes.

The Bartons had additional photos taken. One of just the kids, and then with the parents. And one more with just Clint, both posing in archer stance in the last photo taken.

Next up was Natasha Romanoff. She strutted over, sharing a sly smile at Peter. "Need another picture of me and my son, right Tom?"

Peter laughed, recalling their day out where he pretended to be Tom Holland, and Natasha as his mother, Natalie Holland. Both wore disguises back then. That itchy blonde wig that made his scalp red and she dyed her hair to a silver tone that looked way better than his wig.

"As long as I don't have to wear a wig," Peter remarked as he roped his arm around Nat and she did the same.

May took the picture. Nat swiped underneath Peter's chin.

"Don't go wasting popcorn on petulant bullies when you get to college," she said, making Peter blush in embarrassment at the memory of what occurred in the theater nearly three years ago.

Sam Wilson went next, sweeping Peter off his feet for a picture. Unlike the others, Sam had Peter in a piggyback, claiming he was helping Peter feel tall. Peter poked him in the ribs, but enjoyed the lift, spreading his arms out wide like he was the king of the world.

Captain America was the opposite of Sam Wilson. He didn't tackle Peter. He roped an arm around the kid's shoulder, relaxed, as May snapped a few photos.

"You earned this," Captain America said. "I never had a ceremony when I graduated from high school."

"You went to high school?"

Captain America nodded. "George Washington High School. With the Great Depression and everything happening in Europe, no one got to really celebrate or even graduate from high school. I got lucky, but that's because I had, at the time, nothing else going for me.

"But you," Captain America smiled down on him, "you have a lot of doors open for you. Take your time. Figure yourself out and what you want to do. Because, whatever it is you do, you'll be great at it."

Peter was certain his cheeks were red. Burning red. "T-Thanks, Cap. That means a lot."

Captain America still held his smile. "Like I said, you earned it."

The great hero comfortingly patted his back as Vision and Wanda came up to take a photo. Vision asked question after question on the protocols of a graduation photo. Wanda kept telling him all he needed to do was smile. Peter countered it with telling him to make funny faces. So, there was a picture of Wanda and Peter smiling like normal, and Vision making silly faces at the camera. The other picture, where all there smiled, had the stone in the center of Vision's forehead glow, causing a streak across the photograph.

Rhodes was next, standing next to Peter with such military rigid that Peter automatically mimicked his pose. Both arms clasped behind their backs, chest boasted out and smiles sealed. Pepper was aghast, as well as May, about the posture. They retook the photograph, relaxed more with Rhodey's hand resting on Peter's shoulder and Peter beaming like he did in the other photos.

Happy replaced Rhodey. He didn't loop an arm around Peter or rest a hand on his shoulder. He stood close to Peter, making him feel incredibly small by the man's broad physique. Happy threw up a large smile. It surprised Peter, making him stunned for a few seconds as he takes in Happy's face. Happy never smiled. And if he did, it was more like a muscular twitch.

"You're smiling," Peter noted.

Happy flickered a befuddled look down at him. "We're taking a picture."

"You don't smile for pictures."

"I'll smile for your picture. You've graduated. Off to bigger and better things—"

"So, what you're saying is that you're happy," Peter said, suppressing a smirk. "You're happy for me."

And Happy's smile fell right off as he groaned. "Jesus—take the picture, May!"

Peter laughed, and that was the photograph the two received. Peter laughing and Happy grumbling.

"What did I tell you about stressing Happy out, kid?"

Peter snapped his head in the direction of the voice. Tony Stark stood right beside Pepper, watching in the wings as everyone got their photo taken with the graduate. His sunglasses were on his face again, hiding his eyes. Hiding his emotions away from everyone. Including Peter.

Tony's mouth curled into a knowing smirk as he continued, "His heart can't handle this," he joked. "It'll break."

Happy groaned again, not enjoying the teasing as much as Peter and Tony. "Yeah, yeah, okay Tony," he grunted. "Your next."

"Oh, I don't think—"

"No, it is," May insisted. "Everyone else had a go. Starks are up."

Pepper stepped in front of the camera willingly, with Tony following her because she had her hand on his arm. Like the Bartons, they flanked Peter. Tony was ordered to take his sunglasses off. Pepper had Maria on her hip, who once again tried to wiggle free so she could get into Peter's arms. Eventually, Pepper passed Maria over to Peter to hold so they could get a clear photo and not a blurry photo of Maria moving.

With Maria back in Peter's arms, the little Stark babbled more nonsense. It caused Tony, Peter and Pepper to laugh and May took a snapshot of it. And then Peter pointed to his mother's camera and told Maria, "Hey, M&M? Look at the camera. Okay?"

"Don't listen to him," Tony countered. "Your name is Maria."

Maria shot up a toothy grin at her father. "M&M. M&M. M&M."

And like a mantra, she kept repeating it over and over and over again.

Tony resigned. "We need a new babysitter," he grumbled under his breath as May took another photo.

May took a few more photos, and the Starks were about to step out and away, when May call Tony back. "We need photos of the two of you," she insisted.

Tony back-stepped right next to Peter. "Okay, kid… revenge time."

And it became a war on ruining the picture for the other person. Tony used Peter's diploma to cover up the kid's face. Peter jumped in front of Tony, waving his hands up, diploma in hand. Tony turned his back in one snapshot. And Peter did an obnoxious, bored yawn in another.

"Real mature you guys," Pepper remarked. "Can't you take a decent photo?"

They tried, but it never ended up happening. Eventually, the best photograph turned out to be the two of them, holding the diploma upside down, while trying to put bunny ears on each other.

Finally, it was May's turn. She passed the camera over to Captain America as she hurried to stand beside her kid. With her cardigan wide open so Peter's baby picture could be seen.

Peter moaned. "C'mon, Aunt May—"

"Just smile, Pete," she ordered. And he did. Because he would do anything for his aunt.

The two of them took multiples. Different styles and expressions, so that at least one of them would make May happy. May also dragged Everett into the photoshoot, having him on Peter's other side as they took a few more photos.

After a stream of photo-ops, Peter swore his vision changed again. All he could see were bright dots glittering around the gymnasium.

But, in moments like this, photo-ops are infinite. Endless, because someone shouted out his name from across the gymnasium floor.

"PARKER!" Flash Thompson yelled, waving his hands for attention. "Get over here! Decathlon team pic!"

Peter was about to decline, seeing as he was no longer a member of Midtown's Decathlon, but May pushed him along to hurry. "Go on, Peter," she urged. "Be with your friends!"

"I don't—"

"Go on ahead," May insisted, pushing Peter toward his awaiting friends. "Have fun, kid. We'll be right here when you get back."

Peter handed May his diploma to hold, thanking her. He jogged over to where MJ, Ned and the rest of the Decathlon team sat on the bleachers, Mr. Harrington in tow too, as a flock of parents waited for the graduates to get settled before taking multiple snapshots.

As Peter slid into the spot next to MJ and behind Ned, he snuck a glimpse back to Aunt May. Four years ago, Peter's family diminished to one. Ben died and only May survived to be Peter's sole family member. They were each other's last family. They had no one else. No one to care or love. And Peter believed it would always be just the two of them.

Now, looking back, he saw not only May standing off to the side, bursting with pride and joy, but several people. All wearing similar expressions as they mingled and talked, some glancing back at him, smiles inching up their faces.

The Avengers. The team. Four years ago, like the Parkers, the Avengers were a broken family. Scattered, separated and distrustful of one another to the point it seemed unlikely they would ever unite again. Now, they were talking, laughing and swapping jokes.

They regrouped again. Became a family again. For Peter.

All of them readily adopted Peter as their kid, integrating him into their lives, hobbies and personal celebrations. He practiced archery with Clint. He worked on his motorcycle with Captain America. Played basketball with Sam Wilson. Learned to cook with Wanda (& Vision as a fellow student). Practiced hand-to-hand combat with Natasha. Built new and exciting inventions with Tony. Peter didn't only have May now. His family tripled. He got new uncles and aunts. Siblings too. All of them joining together to support him.

Peter smiled as he took in the makeshift group of superheroes, soldiers and CIA agents. His family. His newfound family. In all the chaos, dangers and heartbreaks that happened, the one good thing Peter got was them. All of them. The Starks, the Bartons, Happy Hogan, T'Challa and Shuri, Colonel Rhodes, Natasha Romanoff, Steve Rogers, Sam Wilson, Wanda and Vision, and, of course, Everett Ross.

Peter may not be related by blood to any of them, but he loved them. And they loved him back.

Because they were family. His family. No matter what.

---

"This is it," MJ announced. "We're done with this place."

Peter, MJ and Ned managed to sequester themselves to a nearby staircase without anyone noticing. Peter guessed the Avengers knew he left, but chose to give them privacy. They trusted him to not do something completely reckless.

MJ already disrobed and sported her yellow dress that her mother made her wear. Her robes were scrunched into a messy ball beside her on the steps. "No more classes. No more announcements. No more boring drills."

Ned looked left and right down the hallway. "Yeah, we no longer go here anymore."

"Kind of the aim after four years," MJ said, but she didn't smile. "Had some good times here. Like… right over there is where Flash called you 'Penis Parker' for the first time."

MJ was right. Peter remembered it clearly how he stood by the drinking fountain only to have Flash cut in front of him to it. When Peter protested, Flash said, "Shut it, Penis." And the nickname stayed throughout freshman year and half-way through sophomore year. Funny, Flash was now a good friend of Peter's. Fourteen year old Peter would have snorted at the prospect of him and Flash ever being friends.

"So weird that I am invited to his graduation party on Sunday," said Peter.

"So weird," MJ agreed.

They swapped stories of their times in Midtown. They teased one another, laughing at the faux-paus each one made as they grew out of awkward pre-teen to young adult in a matter of four years. They discussed their achievements, their regrets and their confusion as to how Coach Wilson was their gym teacher. He never did anything remotely active.

Ned sighed in content after re-sharing memories. "I'm going to miss this."

Both Peter and MJ arched their brows at him. "Miss what?" MJ questioned. "High school?"

"No, I mean… us," Ned gestured to the three of them. "Us—getting together like this. It won't be the same."

"Not with you going to Carnegie Mellon," Peter teased his friend to which Ned rolled his eyes. "But, I'm not helping either. Only MJ is staying true to our roots."

"Not even," MJ countered, dropping her chin into her palm. "NYU is located in Manhattan. And I have to stay in a dorm there for my first year. Which is going to be a big chunk out of my parents' bank. I already heard my dad praise God that my brothers got full-rides for basketball. Didn't know if he could pay for tuition for all of his children."

MJ got into New York University. Her first choice to study sociology and African studies. Her internship with the Wakanda Outreach program got her interested in participating in organizations that help minority and poverty-stricken communities. She wanted to really help the people than those "flying around in machines," she joked. Peter was proud and happy for her. He understood the feeling of needing and wanting to help the little guy out.

"At least your family is close by," Ned commented. "If anything happens, they can help you. I'm hours away from home. I'm alone."

"Same," Peter added.

MJ snorted dismissively at Peter. "Please—with everything the Avengers have, you can call them and they'll be at your doorstep in ten minutes."

Peter thought about it. If he was in dire trouble, Tony's Iron Man would arrive in ten minutes to assist. "I guess that's valid," he said. "But, I'm still four hours away. If it's not a life or death situation, it will take some time."

Although, Tony would probably still take a suit to race over to his dormitory. Peter hoped Pepper restrained him from helicoptering when he leaves the Compound for college. He didn't need Iron Man arriving unexpectantly on campus. That would garner too much attention for Peter to be comfortable with. He already had to deal with the fact people would stare at him for being both Peter Parker and Spider-man. He didn't want Iron Man or any other Avengers to show up to cause a scene.

MJ gently swatted Peter's arm to get his attention. "Is Stark letting you be Spider-man when you go?"

That was still a sore topic among the Avengers. While the New Accords allowed Peter to be Spider-man under another Avenger's guidance and limited engagement (five hours a week), he was not allowed to do patrols without supervision. Meaning, Iron Man, Captain America or even Black Widow had to accompany him when he went out to save people. He didn't mind so much having a babysitter with him as Captain America and Iron Man mostly let him do his own thing, but then Sam Wilson was assigned as his babysitter and it was the worst night ever. Especially when Sam packed a juice box and handed it to him for being, "cranky without his sugar." He never so much wanted to tackle the Falcon off a rooftop.

When Peter asked about going out as Spider-man while attending college, he got a stern look and a hard pass. The Avengers would be too far away to keep coming up every night or whatever night to join him on patrols. Peter tried to negotiate, arguing he could patrol on his own on some nights, but the Avengers flashed the New Accords at him. The New Accords reminded Peter he couldn't go out on his own until he turned twenty-one years old. Besides, they argued, Peter should focus on his studies and college life more than his superhero life. Spider-man could wait, was what they all said.

"No," Peter replied with a huff. Peter was itching to return to Spider-man full time. "Even though I am capable of taking care of myself."

Ned and MJ shot him a look. "You know what I mean! I'm Spider-man! I can stop a car with my bare hands and hold up an entire building on my own. I think I can go a few days of patrol by myself," Peter argued. "But, they said I should just focus on my studies. Be a regular kid."

"You should," MJ agreed. "You didn't exactly have a normal high school experience. Maybe you can get a normal college experience?"

"Doubt it," Peter countered, crossing his arms. "Normalcy kind of flew right out the door a while back. Paparazzi are going to harass me and all my classmates are going to stare. And I can't exactly do anything about it."

"Maybe Mr. Stark can help?" Ned suggested. "I mean… he can pull some strings to make sure the paps can't get onto campus? And I bet he knows a few people at the school who can help you out. If, you know, things get weird or confusing, you know who you can trust?"

"Yeah, maybe. I don't know." Peter didn't really want to get Tony involved with anymore of his problems, but Ned had an excellent point. Be nice to know who he could trust on campus if things get out of hand before May or the Avengers showed up.

"Probably should find out if Stark knows anyone on campus anyway, just so you know who to avoid," MJ remarked, which earned her confused looks. "What? All I'm saying is that Stark was notorious back then. I'm sure he pissed off a lot of people in the academic world. And I bet if they saw you in their class, they'll be hard on you by association. Some food for thought."

Peter hadn't thought of that. Maybe he should talk to Tony about which professors hated him. "Great—something else to worry about while I go to school."

"You're scared?" Ned sounded surprise. Why wouldn't Peter be scared? He was going to a school where he knew nobody and live in a town he hardly knew. Plus, with the media covering his life daily, it would even be harder for him to fit in with his peers. All of them knowing who and what he was. And who he was friends with.

Making new friends was going to be a challenge.

"A little," Peter softly confessed.

"I'm scared," MJ announced, drawing the attention away from Peter. "I mean, I know I'm still in New York, but… I'll be by myself and… you know me, I struggle to make friends and keeping them."

"You used to struggle to make friends," Peter corrected MJ. "Not so much anymore."

MJ curled her nose at the cheesy line, shoving her hand in Peter's cheek to wipe away his silly grin. Peter lolled his head away, chuckling, but he meant it. MJ may have been too tense and too serious when they first met, but her guarded walls faded and she became a close confidant. Someone Peter could be honest with and get an honest response in return. While Ned was great to fanboy over superhero things, MJ was someone to bring Peter back to reality, reminding him of his humanity and responsibilities. MJ became Peter's anchor and he couldn't imagine living a life without her.

A sharp notification beep echoed among them. Ned ruffled through his pockets, pulling out his phone. "Oh man... I gotta go," he groaned, shuffling up to his feet. "Mom is making pot roast."

Peter and MJ hugged Ned goodbye. Peter promised Ned a bunch of summer adventures together, including taking the boat out again on the Avengers lake.

"Sounds good, man," Ned said, beaming with excitement about returning to the Compound again. "We gotta hang-out a lot more this summer since this will be it and all."

"The world's not ending, Ned," Peter reminded him. "Just high school."

Ned shrugged and then stuck out his hand. Peter knew exactly what to do. They completed their bro-handshake and when their hands dropped to the side, Peter felt nostalgic. He was going to miss having Ned around. Someone he trusted and counted on through everything that happened in his crazy, unbelievable life. The best friend who stayed at his side and braved the dangers Spider-man brought into their young lives. Aunt May swore he was going to make close friends in college, but Peter doubted they would match up to Ned Leeds. Friends like him were unreplaceable.

Ned was gone and only Peter and MJ remained at the stairs. He turned away from Ned's retreating form and found MJ's dark eyes staring right at him.

"What?"

MJ half-shrugged. "Nothing."

"You're staring at me," Peter pointed out. "Why? Do I have something on my face?"

"No, I just like looking at you."

Peter's chest warmed. "Awwww."

MJ rolled her eyes, garnering Peter to laugh. "You got a lot of plans with Ned over the summer," she noted. "Any plans with me?"

Peter pressed his lips together in mock thought. "I have a few ideas."

"Like what?"

"Tony said he owed us a trip to Paris. We could start there and see where it leads us."

MJ snorted, arms crossed over her stomach as she shook her head at the absurdity. "Paris?"

"Yeah, he said something about promising you a trip with me," Peter stepped closer to MJ that her perfume tickled his nose. She smelled like flowers. Like a bed of wildflowers. "I want to uphold my end of the bargain."

MJ's eyes fell into questioning glare. "You're serious?"

"It's our last summer together before college," Peter said, undoing MJ's arms to hold her hands in his. Soft and warm as he cradled them. "I want to spend it with you before we can't do it anymore"

MJ's gaze softened. "Peter—"

They have already discussed their relationship. They spent hours debating what to do when summer ended and they go off to different colleges. In different states. They heard the old warnings before. Long-distance relationships hardly last.

Peter wanted it to last. MJ was one of the best people in his life. She made him feel normal. Made him feel like the Peter Parker before chaos reigned over him. The Peter Parker no one cared to know or pay attention to, but she did. She always did.

"You know… long-distances have turned out all right," Peter started, although he struggled to come up with names to validate his point. "Some people end up marrying their high school sweethearts. We can be one of those sweethearts."

"Peter," MJ said, voice sounding regretful. "We talked about this. You agreed!"

"I was being stupid." That was the truth. He didn't want to break it off with MJ. Not even for a little while to see if they still had feelings for one another after the first semester. "I don't want to lose you."

"You're not losing me," MJ insisted. "We're still friends! And, who knows? We may find out that we prefer to take the pain of not being close to the pain of not having each other at all."

Peter scrunched his face. "Is that a quote?"

"Seriously, Peter," MJ ignored his inquiry, but the pain in her voice expressed how hard it was for her too. "It's best we go on a break. College is going to be stressful on all of us with all the changes and... I don't want us to lose each other because of it. I've watched Josh get his heartbroken over a long-distance relationship. I don't want that and I know you don't either."

Peter sighed, dropping his head. He didn't like it, but she had a point. MJ told him the story about her oldest brother and his high school sweetheart. The distance caused stress, jealousy and bitterness that unraveled all the love they shared. It ruined them for good.

Peter didn't want that for them. He didn't want his love for MJ to unravel and go sour. Maybe he made a mistake in his college decision. He should have stayed in New York, accepted Columbia or NYU or even Empire State! But, if he did that, MJ would have murdered him. For her, throwing away his dreams and opportunities for her was the equivalent of an insult. MJ didn't want to be the reason Peter missed chances that he would later regret. And Peter didn't want to be that for her. Neither of them wanted to sabotage the other's future.

A drawn, remorseful sigh escaped his lips. MJ was right. She always was.

"I guess, then, I should give this to you," Peter reached deep into his robe's pocket. He felt the familiar small pouch. He'd been carrying it for a long time, taking it everywhere he went with MJ. "I've been wanting to give this to you on a special occasion, but I think now is appropriate."

He pulled out a little fabric bag and handed it over to MJ. She took the tiny pouch, studying it. "What is it?"

"Open it."

Peter watched MJ undo the string, digging her fingers into the pouch to pull out a small glass pendant in the shape of a black dahlia.

MJ sucked in a breath, admiring the shimmering necklace. Her gaze lifted from the necklace to him. "Where did you get this?"

"Venice," Peter answered, smiling more as he noticed her eyes crinkle in admiration. "There was a man who could make beautiful glass jewelry and I had to get one for you... do you like it?"

"I love it," MJ murmured, still in awe. "The black dahlia. You know, it's my favorite flower because—"

"Of the Black Dahlia murder," Peter finished, a wry grin directed at MJ's stunned face. "I know."

MJ returned an appreciative smile and held the necklace out for Peter to take. He took it from her as she spun around, holding her curly hair up to allow him to clip it around her neck. The black dahlia rested on her skin, gleaming in perfection.

MJ turned back to Peter. "I love you."

"I know."

MJ scoffed at the reference before going in for a kiss. Peter reciprocated. The school hallway fell away. Her lips were soft and comforting in ways that Peter didn't have words for. He pulled her closer, allowing her essence to flood his senses. Her fingers brushed up the back of his head, drawing him further to her and sinking together. Even their hearts started to beat simultaneously, together and getting stronger.

They broke away, breathing each other in as they rested their foreheads rested together. Best to not get too carried away when open and vulnerable to a flash of a picture.

They lingered close together, enjoying their close proximity. MJ fluttered her eyes up to him, a mirthful smile appearing. "So… Paris?"

"Yeah?"

"Can we go to the Eiffel Tower?"

"We can go anywhere you want."

Peter wouldn't have it any other way.

"Hey, Shelly!"

MJ jolted backwards, almost pushing Peter aside. She would have if he wasn't Spider-man, but he kept his balance and spun around to see a tall, athletic-built man make a beeline toward them.

"Mom and Dad said it's time to go," the young man announced as he strolled right up to their group. "Whadup, Pete?"

Marcus Jones was MJ's older brother. Her oldest, Joshua, couldn't attend her graduation ceremony, but MJ didn't care if they came or not. According to MJ, graduation was more for the parents than herself. She didn't originally want to attend a drawn-out ceremony. But, Marcus returned for the event, claiming he had an obligation to attend her ceremony as she attended his. Peter liked the Jones Brothers, as he dubbed them. Both were athletic and enjoyed sports, particularly basketball. They were older than MJ by at least five years and regarded her as the baby that needed protection, especially more so since she started dating Peter.

When Peter first met them, the Jones Brothers gave him a hard time. They sat Peter on an ottoman in their living room, interrogating him over and over for nearly thirty minutes while MJ stewed at their behavior. Peter must have passed their inspection because afterwards, they welcomed him warmly into their homes, jesting him and limiting their questions about Spider-man and the Avengers. Probably because MJ threatened them to not pester him about his life as Spider-man or being with the Avengers. Nonetheless, Peter got along with the Jones Brothers well enough to not feel uncomfortable in their presence, despite their towering statues reminded Peter of being underneath Captain America's shadow.

"I'm good," Peter replied to Marcus's earlier question, giving the man a good handshake. "It's great to see you again. How's your new job going?"

Marcus shrugged. "It's going alright... it's going," he said, sounding disinterested. "It's an entry job, but hopefully I can move up the ranks. Get my career rolling and all, you know?"

"Not really," Peter said, uncertain what he meant. "But, I'm glad it's, um… going well… I think."

Marcus laughed before he turned back to his sister. "Hey, Shelly," he addressed his scowling sister. "It's time to go. Been calling and texting—"

"My phone is off," MJ responded, hotly. "And don't call me Shelly!"

It was the Jones's nickname for MJ. Michelle Jones was fondly called Shelly by her brothers and father. Her mother rarely used it, knowing her daughter was embarrassed by the nickname. Her father politely only called it in their home, but the brothers used it often, even in public.

"Fine! Michelle," Marcus groaned with an exaggerated eye roll that screamed MJ. Guess she learned it from him. "Where're your robes? You know we have to return it."

MJ picked up her discarded robes off the staircase. "I'm going to say goodbye to Peter. I'll see you outside."

Marcus shrugged, walking back down the hallway after giving Peter a good thump on the back as a goodbye. MJ frowned at her brother's retreating form. "God—he knows I hate being called that."

"I think it's endearing," Peter offered.

MJ turned her scowl onto him. "You like it when Stark calls you Underoos in public?"

"Fair point," Peter acquiesced, cheeks tinting red at remembering video cameras capturing Tony shouting 'Underoos' at him and having that name headlined over his head for weeks. It was humiliating.

MJ gingerly touched the black dahlia pendant. "Thank you for the necklace," she said, taking a moment to compose herself. Peter could see her eyelashes glistering from an increase in her eyes' wetness. "You're my best friend... you know that, right?"

Peter did and they gave each other one last hug for the day. Their face nestling in the crooks of their necks, breathing each other in and relaxed. Both feeling safe in the other ones' arms. Peter never wanted to let her go.

But, MJ pulled away first and he allowed his hands to slip right off her.

"I'll see you in Paris," MJ said, walking passed him and down the hallway where Marcus waited by the doors for her.

Peter lingered, watching MJ exit out the school and into the afternoon sun. The doors opened and closed on her. Peter let out a strangled, somber breath. He reminded himself they still had the summer. Three more months to spend his time with MJ and Ned. His friends and probably his last true friends he would ever make. He had to make the summer count before they all go their separate ways.

Peter retreated back to the gymnasium, where Aunt May and Everett waited for him. The rest of the group already left to return to the Compound. Aunt May, Everett and Peter climbed into Everett's car, pulling out of Midtown's property one last time. Peter didn't dare to glance back for there was nothing for him to look at.

"Did you have a good time, Peter?" Aunt May asked, looking at him through the rearview mirror.

Peter nodded. "Yeah."

Her brows furrowed in concern. "Is everything all right?"

"Yeah, it's just over, you know?" Peter said, thinking again of everything he went through while he was at Midtown. "An epilogue."

"More like an end to a chapter, sweetheart," Aunt May corrected, reaching back to rub his knee. "You have quite a few more chapters ahead of you."

Maybe so, but Peter quite enjoyed the ones he already experienced. He loved all the characters and their adventures, wishing it didn't have to end. But, as Uncle Ben used to say whenever Peter was afraid of changes, "What feels like the end is simply another beginning."

It certainly felt that way as they drove further away from Midtown and Queens. Despite the melancholy, Peter was ready for the next beginning. He had his newfound family and, hopefully, still have Ned and MJ as he faced the next journey.

"Peter?"

Peter blinked back to focus. His aunt stared at him with an odd, concerned look. "You okay?"

He nodded. "Yeah," he stated. "Yeah, I'm good."

"You sure?"

"Yeah," Peter lifted a hopeful smile. "Just… looking forward."

---

The festivities didn't end at the gymnasium.

Everett took a long time getting back to the Compound. Peter's been in the car with Everett before, and knew the man wasn't a slow driver. And his sudden need for coffee, which delayed them more on the return. By the time they got back to the Compound, everyone else beat them by an hour.

Which, Peter guessed was the point.

Peter walked into the residential wing with Aunt May and Everett, thinking they were going to go to their apartment, but Aunt May clicked on the button that led to the communal space.

Before Peter could question why they were going there, the doors opened and he was greeted to a scream of congratulations. Everyone was there, waiting for him, with ecstatic grins and happy eyes. The kids had party horns, blowing hard to get the sound and the paper to unravel. Massive balloons and colorful streams crowded the elevator doors as Peter walked through, amazed by everything.

They all smiled, laughing at his flabbergasted expression.

"Wh—What?" Peter muttered in disbelief. "What are you… what's going on?"

May snuck up behind him. "You surprised?" she asked. "They wanted to do a little something for you. Wanted it to be a surprise."

"But… I," Peter looked around at everyone. "You guys already did so much."

They did. They saved him. Protected him and his aunt. Took care of him and his aunt. Provided whatever they needed. Allowed Peter to hang-out with the Avengers despite being a teenager. They did so much for him, at the cost of their own lives and freedoms. And, now they lavished him with a party for graduating high school.

"And we'll do a little more," Pepper said, ushering Peter further into the room. "You deserve it. Kids have graduation parties. Why not you?"

"Come! You gotta see the cake," added Laura Barton. "Lila helped me make it."

"I did!" Lila was suddenly at Peter's side. "I helped Mom with the baking and icing."

They got to the countertop where he saw two square cakes. One cake bore Midtown's logo, in blue and yellow icing, with the words 'Midtown Class of 2020' written in Laura's precise lettering. A chocolate bridge made out of Kit-Kats linked the Midtown cake to the second cake. A beaver's head took up a corner of the cake, drawing a wide smile that must have taken Laura ages to get perfect. Underneath the beaver was a message that read: Up Next… MIT!

Because that's where Peter would be attending in the fall.

MIT.

Since Peter started senior year and started applying to colleges, Tony did nothing but talked nonstop about MIT. He slid it into almost every conversation he had with Peter, telling Peter about how great the engineer program MIT had, including their physics and biophysics. He spoke about the best pizza joints on campus. The great clubs offered at the school. Tony even invited a professor and someone from the administration to come to the Compound to speak to Peter (under the disguise of "visiting old friends"). And when Tony caught Peter looking at other schools, he scoffed and mocked the other universities as inadequate and subpar.

"I have pull at MIT," Tony said. "One call and you'll be in. No worries whatsoever."

"Um… thanks, but, I would rather not rely on nepotism to get into college."

Tony rolled his eyes, but continued to pressure Peter to apply. Tony wasn't the only one who tried to convince him either. Rhodey, Pepper and even Happy all nudged him in applying to MIT too. Rhodey often relayed fun stories to him about his college days with Tony to entice Peter to apply. Peter listened, but whenever MIT was brought up, he acted dismissive. He told everyone he wasn't quite sure if MIT was the right fit for him.

But, that was a lie.

MIT was the first school Peter applied to, long before Tony's constant pressure. He wanted to apply like a regular student, without Tony's influence, so he did it behind everyone's back. Except May, but she swore not to tell anyone. Peter applied to other schools as well: Stanford, John Hopkins, Chicago, Cal Tech and UCLA. When Peter showed Tony his list (excluding MIT), he thought the man's heart died out.

As the school year went on, emails trickled into Peter's account. He was accepted into every school he applied to, including MIT. All without Tony's influence or, at least, with minor influence considering Peter became famous due to his connection with Tony and Spider-man. After a long week of debating and decision-making process with Aunt May's assistance and support, Peter decided on a school.

It was over breakfast one morning that Peter finally revealed his chosen school to Tony. He passed his acceptance letter from the university.

It took Tony a long time to compute, and when he did, he only asked one thing. "Are you?"

Peter nodded. "Yeah."

Then all hell broke loose. In less than three minutes, the whole Compound congratulated on Peter's choice of school. Tony broke out the special stash of coffee to make a pot for everyone while Pepper ordered in a breakfast buffet. It was a celebration!

And now, it was official. The cake said it all. His next destination was to Boston to become an undergraduate at MIT. Tony's and Rhodey's old stomping ground. Already, the old friends started making a list of things Peter needed to see and do when he was at MIT. A list Pepper assured May that she would review before it was given to him.

Natasha pulled out two candles and lit them both. One candle for each cake. "Make a wish," she said.

Peter thought. He didn't need a wish. All he ever wanted was to not be alone. To not lose any more family. And he didn't. He gained family. People he never imagined he would considered aunts and uncles. Eleven year old Peter Parker's mind would have shattered into pieces if he knew the people in the sky, fighting aliens, would become family. His family.

As Peter leaned in to blow the candles out, he decided not to wish for anything. He inhaled big and blew, thanking whoever controlled the fates for expanding his family.

Everyone clapped and Laura started to cut squares for everyone. They all sat around together, giving Peter advice about college life like need to work hard to play hard. Don't drink more than your weight. Never barf on a girl. Don't wear the lanyard around the neck. Be friendly with the roommate and try not to overwhelm them. Do laundry during the odd hours. Same with showering. There's always availability at those times.

"Most importantly," May interrupted Rhodey on another ridiculous advice, "is be yourself."

Gifts came along to the party too. Peter was surprised by the massive pile that awaited to be unwrapped. Each gift was perfect. From Captain America's messenger bag to Colonel Rhodes's laptop cooling pad to the Barton's laundry bag and detergent, Peter felt ready to set up his dorm room. He even received a gift from Shuri, which was a box full of parts he needed to assemble to figure out it was. Peter imagined it was a new prototype to another invention Shuri was currently designing.

His favorite gift was receiving Tony's old MIT sweater. His fingers ran across the crimson cotton, tracing the white print letters that spelled MIT. Peter recognized the sweater from pictures off of magazines like Popular Mechanics and MIT Technology Review. And now, it belonged to him to wear around campus.

The celebrations continued on until the sun melted into the horizon, and darkness took the scape. Pepper turned in first to put Maria to bed. The Bartons went next, heading to their family suite to sleep. Soon, all the others started to trickle back to their apartments to go to bed. Peter returned to his apartment with May and Everett, carrying all his new things back to his room. DUMBO tooted excitedly at their return, happy to see its creator.

May hugged him, reiterated how proud she was, before she headed off to bed. Everett placed the diploma on the bookcase, displaying it in front so everyone could see. He said good-night to Peter as well before heading to the Master bedroom to sleep.

Peter went to his bedroom, rearranging his gifts to a corner of the room. DUMBO assisted, carrying the lighter items to wherever Peter directed. Done, Peter used the StarkPad to check Instagram, seeing pictures of him and all his friends at their graduation. Of course, the press got a hold of ceremony and bought photographs onlookers took of him, and of the Avengers sitting in the audience. It annoyed him that even a graduation ceremony spurred the interest of the public. What did it matter to them that he graduated?

Peter sighed and shut off the tablet. He checked his watch. The watch Everett gifted to him on his sixteenth birthday. It was almost two in the morning. He should be tired. He woke extremely early to arrive at Midterm by 8:00 am for the ceremony, and the day had been nonstop of festivities since then. He should be exhausted and; yet, he was wide awake.

And when wide awake, Peter always went to the labs to tinker.

A bit chilly, Peter grabbed the sweater Tony gifted him and pulled it over his head. It fit perfectly and warmed Peter freezing limbs. He left DUMBO in charge to guard the apartment as he went down to the labs, thinking about tinkering on his pet-project revolving his web fluid design and medical bandages.

He reached the level, but found it was not dark at all. One of the laboratories was alit. Peter walked down the long corridor, right to the massive, glass-encased lab that belonged to Tony Stark. The man was inside, tinkering away with his inventions and machinery late in the night. His nose was deep into his machinery, the holograms surrounding him made his skin look more humanoid than human.

He didn't need to knock. Peter had security clearance to enter. After all, on nights like these, Peter often joined Tony in the lab.

FRIDAY granted him access and when he stepped through, Tony looked right up at him. "Hey, kid," he greeted, eyeing Peter as he walked into the lab. "Already in school spirit, huh?"

He gestured to Peter's sweater, formerly Tony's old MIT sweater.

"It's a bit cold," Peter said, hugging his body to keep warm.

"Well, it looks good on you," Tony observed. "Fits perfectly. Knew you were about the same size I was at that age." He smiled and nudged his head, inviting Peter to join the workbench. "So—what are you doing up?"

"Can't sleep," Peter replied walking through the holograms to join Tony.

"Got something on your mind?"

Peter shook his head, sitting on a stool at the workbench. "No, just… still riding from the excitement from today's festivities."

Tony lightly chuckled. "You had a good time then?"

"The best," Peter returned with a happy smile. "I always have fun with my family."

"Family?" Tony probed, looking hard at Peter that it made the boy nervous.

"Well, um, yeah. I-I consider you guys my family," Peter said, squirming underneath the man's gaze. "You know… I got my cool uncle, my fun uncle, grumpy uncle, responsible uncle, a proud grandpa, a badass aunt, lovable aunt, powerful aunt, and Aunt May who is all three. Plus, my two weird cousins and my four awesome siblings."

Tony low whistled at the long description. "That definitely sounds like a family," he chuckled, eyes beaming. "So, I get the 'cool uncle' title then, huh?"

"Oh, no," Peter shook his head. "You're not the cool uncle."

A ghost of hurt shadowed Tony's eyes for a second before being repurposed into realization. "Oh, so I'm the fun uncle," he guessed. "Well, I'll take it. Better than being grumpy! Which, I'm assuming is Happy."

"You're not the fun uncle either," Peter said, anxious suddenly. His fingers twisting the ring. Tony stopped moving, looking at him… waiting… "You're, um…"

Say it, Peter berated himself. Just say it!

"You're…" Peter swallowed, realizing his throat had tightened because he squeaked out, "…my dad."

Peter braced himself. Shoulders tensed. Hands squeezed together, ready to hear Tony contradict it or laugh it off. He even expected the stunned expression Tony was giving him. The man's eyes widened, digesting the unloaded confession. Peter could practically hear the cogs of Tony's mind work in overdrive, processing it and backtracking…

Shit. Peter made a mistake. It was too much for Tony. Too much emotional outpour for a man who is not used to an abundance of feelings. He got it, of course. Peter needed to backpedal, take back control to avoid either feelings being hurt further than they already were.

Right as Tony opened to reply, Peter cut him off. "I didn't mean it! I mean… not like 'oh, you're my dad!' I mean, more like, um… my favorite uncle. Yeah! Like that, you know? I don't expect like anything from you. I mean, you already gave so much and I'm grateful. Really, really—"

"No, kid… kid," Tony started waving his hands to silence Peter's ramblings. "No. Stop, stop."

Peter closed his mouth. Cheeks burned red in anticipation as he watched Tony lower his arms. Peter became stiff and tentative, waiting for Tony to gently reject it.

Tony took a breath. "I'm honored."

Peter's heart lifted up, back straightening as the tension shed off his shoulders. "Y-You… you are?"

"Pete—you've always been my kid," Tony said, amused by Peter's surprise at the declaration. "Everyone jokes how you're my oldest."

Everyone? Peter cocked his head, confused as he never heard anyone tease him about being Tony's "oldest". Sometimes May teased him hanging out with his second family, but Peter assumed she meant the Avengers in general and not just Tony.

"You've been like a son to me for years now. Even gave me the confidence to be a dad to Maria," Tony continued on. "Although, I did back off for a bit after that argument we had—"

Peter's face furrowed. "What argument?"

He had no recollection of an argument with Tony that resulted in the man taking a step back from his life. Retreating from being a surrogate father to Peter.

"You know… the argument that made you run away back to Queens?" Tony said to jog Peter's memory. "You told me to stop acting like a dad? Got Stars and Spangles racing down to us… ring any bells?"

Peter kind of remembered the fight. It was two years ago, when his whole life was chaotic. Everything blurred into one, wild circus. He remembered being frustrated at being cooped up at the Compound and listening to lame excuses why he had to stay. He was angry at Tony for grounding him, but he couldn't remember everything he said to the man.

"Oh… I'm sorry," Peter said, embarrassed and ashamed for whatever he said to Tony. "I didn't mean it. I was just angry at everyth—"

"I know. I know," Tony said, not seeming at all offended by Peter's past mistakes. "It's all done, kid. Forgiven and forgotten." He pulled Peter into a half-hug, arm slung over the shoulders so he could plant a kiss right on top of his head. "That's what fathers do, right?"

Peter huffed out a short laugh as he fell against Tony's side. "Yeah, I think so."

Tony gave a comforting squeeze before he ruffled Peter's hair into a messier state of curls. "So, what's my nickname? What do I get?"

"Huh?"

"You listed off uncles as fun, cool and grumpy. Gotta have a nickname for myself," Tony said, twirling up the screwdriver as he pondered. "Hmmm, how about… Iron Dad?"

Peter snorted. "You're kidding?"

Tony smiled ingratiatingly. "It's got a great ring! I am Iron Dad," he pressed on, pointing the screwdriver at himself before flipping it to point at Peter, "… and Spider-son!"

Peter's eyes bulged. "No! Absolutely not—"

Tony wasn't listening to him. He replaced the screwdriver with his mobile. "It's perfect. Sums us up nicely," he said, fingers tapping the screens in rapid movements. "Sent it to our PR. The world is going to eat it up. It'll be trending on Twitter and all the social media sites kids lurk on. Iron Dad and Spider-son."

Peter buried his head into his palms, groaning aloud. "That's what I need right before I go to school," he complained. "Being a trend!"

Tony laughed. "Oh… don't you worry about school. It's two months away," he said. "Besides everyone in MIT is too focused on being the next best engineer and scientist. They won't be stalking the gossip pages."

That was good to know. It comforted him to know that there was a possibility of blending in with his peers. "So, no one ever bothered you when you were at MIT?"

"Me?" Tony shook his head. "No, I was everywhere. But, I was also a riot and an asshole. A smug asshole at that. Everyone kind of knew me, but I did that to myself… along with my father's influences.

"But, you're different," Tony shrugged, nonchalant, acting unworried for Peter. It kind of relaxed the brewing nervousness in Peter's stomach. "You don't go out to seek attention. You're friendly. Easy to get along. Not arrogant or a show-off. So, you'll do fine. Way better than me when I was stomping those grounds. Just be yourself and you'll do great."

"I hope so," Peter remarked, hands wrangling together. "I have big shoes to fill."

"You mean your own shoes to fill?" Tony countered, throwing a deliberate look at him. "Don't be like me, kid. Be yourself. It's way better than me, and all those kids and professors there are going to know it. They're going to be amazed!"

"I think you put me up on too high of a pedestal," Peter stated, knowing he didn't deserve such high praise. Especially since he hadn't done anything heroic due to the whole Accords being re-worked and him needing a babysitter (co-hero, as everyone else calls it) when he went out on patrols.

Tony shook his head. "Nope. I just have more faith than you do."

Peter rolled eyes, but his attention caught the glare of holograms. Distracted, he leaned forward to study the designs. "What are you working on?"

"Oh, this?" Tony waved at the hologram, making it spin in quick circles right before their eyes. "It's your graduation gift."

"Another one?" Peter received hordes of gifts upon their return from the graduation ceremony. Everyone got him something that he could use for college or adult life in general. Sam Wilson got him a My Little Pony lunch box and an electric razor to shave off "those peach fuzz you claim you're getting". Tony and Pepper, however, unloaded on him with three gifts, including the MIT sweater he was currently wearing. "You don't have to get me more things."

"Oh—this isn't your high school graduation gift," Tony clarified, letting out a tired breath. "I mean, it was going to be your high school graduation gift, but Pepper and May teamed up together and said no. Had to push it back to college graduation. You'll have to wait until then."

Peter's brows drew closer at the design, intrigued with what Tony wanted to give him that his aunt and Pepper put their foot down. "What is it? If… if that's okay to ask?"

Tony considered. "Well, since you asked nicely and wielding those puppy eyes…"

Tony gestured again, causing all the holograms surrounding them to absorb into one, final hologram in front of Peter. He nudged his head to the hologram. "Take a look."

Peter absorbed it. All of it. And… he couldn't believe it. "Is that—"

"A new Spider-man suit?" Tony filled in for him. "Why, yes it is."

Peter's mouth flopped open. No words came rambling out of him as he took in the magnificence of the design. It was composed of nanites, with features like a neural-reactive interface allowing the suit to respond to mental input, self-contained environment protection that protected him from harmful environments and poisonous gases, and, to Peter's wonderment, the suit included four spider-legs that could be deployed from the back.

"I… I… is this real?" Peter queried, gaping at every inch of the sleek design. "Like, is this an actual suit?"

"Wanna see it?" Tony offered with an artful grin.

Peter eagerly nodded, and Tony asked FRIDAY to bring up Item 17A. One of the wall panels parted, revealing a glistening, metallic red, gold and navy suit. It looked form-fitted, slim in the arms and legs and in the center of the chest was a gigantic spider-logo.

Peter gasped, tripping over the stool as he hurried over to the open panel. "Oh my God… is this… is this really mine?"

Tony followed Peter, nodding his head. "Yep, well—when you graduate college it'll be yours."

Peter hyperventilated with excitement. The suit shined and twinkled in his wide eyes. Every time he tried to speak, words broke and crumbled into a mess of nonsense words and sounds. The suit was perfect! It had everything he ever dreamed of for a suit, and then more! He looked it over from head to toe, taking in every inch of the nanite-made suit until he spied the notes in the bottom corner of the panel.

"Iron… Spider," Peter muttered aloud, excitement hitched in his voice. "Iron Spider? That's a way cooler name than Spider-son!"

"Hardly!" Tony replied, leaning against one of the workbenches as he watched Peter coo over the suit. "You like it?"

"Like it? Are you kidding me?" Peter exclaimed, eyes doubling in size. Star-struck! "This… this is… wow! Tony, it's amazing! It's perfect!"

"Good to know," Tony sounded pleased at the approval.

"Can I try it on?"

"Maybe another time."

Peter's face fell as Tony ordered FRIDAY to retract the suit and seal the panel. "It's late and I don't want you to get any ideas of sneaking it out," Tony said after catching Peter's conniving gaze on the suit. "Pepper and May will have my head if they knew I showed this to you."

The panels closed and Peter lost his Iron Spider suit as quickly as he saw it. "I can't wait until I graduate again," he expressed, keenly. "I hope the next four years go by quick—"

"Slow down, Crockett," Tony piped up, tone soothing to calm Peter's excited nerves. "Spider-man will happen again, in that suit too, but not right now. Okay? You only get one chance at being young and stupid. Don't waste it on rushing off to become an Avenger." He ruffled Peter's mop of curls as he walked past. "Enjoy being young before taking on superhero and worldly responsibilities. Got it?"

Peter hated it, but he understood. "Got it."

"Don't pout," Tony counselled the sullen teenager, playfully swiped Peter's chin. "You'll be Spider-man soon enough, Underoos."

Tony finished putting most of the tools away while Peter daydreamed of fitting in the suit, swinging around Queens When Tony declared the workbench clean enough, he ushered Peter off the stool and to the doors. "We should head off to bed. You have a few graduation parties to attend for your friends, right? When's the first one? Eleven?"

"Yeah, eleven," Peter confirmed with a mopey expression, eyes lingering on the panel that hid and locked away his new suit. "Can I see the suit again sometime? Just, you know, to go over the specs?"

"Sure," Tony escorted Peter out of the lab, hand right between his shoulder blades to ensure Peter walked along. "As long as you don't rat us out, I see no harm in it."

Peter beamed at the prospect of being able to see the suit again and have the chance to tinker. Something to do over the summer holiday. Tony ordered FRIDAY to shut down the lab, and Peter heard the lights flicker out and the machines whirl into a shut-down or sleep mode.

Except, there was an odd sound he head. His ears perked up. A crackling of fire that grew louder caused him to hesitate in his step, giving him pause. Tony must have heard it too, because the man's hand slid up to Peter's shoulder, gripping it tight.

They both glanced at each other, questioning if the other recognized the sound. They didn't.

Curious, they rotated to see what was happening behind them. Peter felt Tony's hand grip tighter and heard the slight whirling of a Tony's watch reforming into a miniature gauntlet on the man's other hand. Peter, while tense, checked his spidey-sense. He felt no prodding in the back of his head. No itching desire to run or dodge. In fact, he felt no sense of fear or dread as a sparkle of a firework took shape in the middle of Tony's lab.

Tony yanked Peter backwards. "Get behind me!"

Peter refused to be shoved away. He shrugged Tony's grip off him and stood his ground, not wanting Tony to face the threat alone.

The firework circled into a ring of fire like the ones seen at circus performances. A swirling portal forming in midair as a tall, lean figure, drabbed in blue robes and a red cape, stepped out. The man wore a goatee similar to Tony's, but small and less intricate in design. A single black curl rested on his forehead, right above inquisitive, cold blue-grey eyes.

The man reminded Peter of a storybook character from his fantasy novels. Someone from an ancient, powerful cult, possessed with power and magic. Like a powerful sorcerer.

The sorcerer stood tall and spoke clearly. "Tony Stark."

Tony flicked his gauntlet hand up. "Who's asking?"

The sorcerer showed no signs of distress or even fear at Tony's threat. "My name is Dr. Stephen Strange," he revealed. "We need your help."

Peter scrunched his brows together, assessing the sorcerer and who he referred to when he said 'we'. Tony appeared to be on the same wavelength as Peter.

"Yeah? Who's we?" Tony challenged, distrustful of the man.

The sorcerer stepped aside as another figure came barreling out of the portal. "Tony!"

Peter inhaled sharply as the newcomer collapsed into Tony, weeping and hugging onto Tony for dear life. Even Tony was gobsmacked as he kept his hands up, staring in complete disbelief that his long-lost friend was hugging him and crying.

"B-Bruce?" Tony uttered, sounding soft and worried.

Bruce Banner stood up and Peter recognized the famed scientists from his books. He looked haggard with his hair sticking out in different angles, the shirt too big and the pants too long. His face was dirty. His skin covered in a thin film of dirt and dust, like he crash-landed at a construction site. His eyes were pleading and wide, and his lower lip wouldn't stop trembling as he spoke.

"Tony! Tony—he's coming! Thanos is coming!"

Peter didn't recognize the name at all. Befuddled, he turned to Tony for an explanation. Tony looked confused by the name as well, but from the widening of his eyes and slight tremor in the man's hands, Peter suspected Tony knew who Bruce was referring to.

Looked like Peter would need to rush into becoming an Avenger sooner than Tony and the others hoped.

Time for Spider-man to make his return.