"So," Tony said as he drove into the underground car park. "want to meet the team? Or at least, whoever's staying with us?"
Peter wasn't paying attention. He was under the Stark Tower!
"Pete?" Tony said looking behind him. No response. Steve turned and saw the awe in Peter's eyes. Even in the car park, Peter was taking in every detail.
"Peter." Steve said. Peter's head snapped towards the Captain. "Do you want to meet Bruce Banner and Pepper Potts or would you rather unpack?"
Peter looked almost guilty when he considered his choices. Tony finally parked the car and both men had turned in their seats to look at the teen.
"Do you mind if I unpack first?" Peter asked nervously. He really did want to meet Bruce Banner, and Tony had nattered away about Pepper so he wouldn't mind meeting her but his head was still spinning. In less than an hour his life had changed drastically. He had found out his only living relative was Captain America. He was currently underneath and going to be living in one of the only buildings he would ever die to see. He had met Tony Stark and was going to meet Bruce Banner before the day was up. It was crazy! And here he thought being Spiderman was as weird as it got.
"Don't look so nervous kid!" Tony criticised. The man then got out the car and opened the car's boot before hauling one of the three boxes out of the car. Steve grabbed the other two leaving Peter to feel rather lost on what to do with his empty hands. Instead, he slung his bag over his shoulder and carried his skateboard in two hands to make him feel like he was being helpful. They stepped into a large elevator. Tony showed his mirth at Peter's gawping expression all over his face. Steve just gave an encouraging smile. He knew this was all weird and new but the shock on Peter's face was still amusing. Peter couldn't help it. He had to comment.
"I didn't know lifts came in this size!" he exclaimed. Tony wanted to boast or explain but decided to give Peter another shock.
"Jarvis, floor seven." Tony said to the closing door. Steve rolled his eyes; he knew Tony was just showing off. The arrogance was loud and clear in his voice.
"Of course, sir." A voice rang through the large lift. Peter jumped out of his skin.
"Oh yeah," Tony practically boasted, "That's my AI, Jarvis. If you need anything, just ask him."
Peter's jaw dropped further.
"You have an AI? Is he rigged throughout the building? And if so, is he on in the bathroom?" Peter asked. The last question was asked sceptically as Peter looked at Tony.
The door pinged and Tony and Steve lead the way out.
"Yes I do have an AI, he is rigged in every room, including the bathroom but there is only recording equipment in the living rooms. That means that Jarvis can tell you if someone is asking for you while you're in the shower and you can reply but no one can hack in and listen to you singing in the shower. Same with the bedroom. Are you interested in science?" Tony asked.
"I'm top of my class in science. I've always enjoyed it." Peter said modestly. Steve eyed him as if to remember their conversation earlier. Peter could believe that Tony would annoy Steve forever if he found out that he was one of the people Peter idolised.
"Great! Another science buddy!" Tony exclaimed. "We have a four science floors, 13-17. Feel free to drop in anytime. We have loads of toys!"
"Is there a reason they're on the top floor?" Peter asked, he knew there had to be a reason.
"Yeah, things like to go boom so might as well put them near the top where it's least likely to topple the building over." Tony explained.
"You must have strong curtains or blinds upstairs then, I mean, if the sun is glaring in, surely that can either cause a reaction or disturb the results by an increase in temperature." Peter pointed out.
Tony started explaining the quality and the material of the blinds and Steve tuned out. This was way above his science knowledge. He knew that adding heat can sometimes cause a reaction but that was about it. Then they started mentioning chemical names and Steve decided it was pointless even trying to listen in.
"Anyway," Tony concluded, "we can continue this once you're settled in. I think gramps is having a brain melt down with all this sciencey stuff."
Tony grinned and Peter looked over to his great grandpa. He had this glazed look in his eyes. He came back into focus when he noticed they had stopped talking.
"Have a nice daydream?" Tony taunted as he called for the lift.
"Very funny Stark." Steve muttered.
"Anyway, see you later." Tony said before stepping into the lift and waving at Peter followed by a mock salute to Steve. Steve just rolled his eyes and waited for the lift doors to slide shut leaving Peter and Steve in an awkward silence.
"So..." Peter started. Steve then realised he was supposed to actually do something.
"Oh, yes. We have this floor to ourselves. It's supposed to be one floor per person but Tony didn't plan to have you here." Steve said. He then noticed that he had made Peter a little uncomfortable so he rushed to correct himself. "To be honest, I don't want a floor to myself. I've spent one night here and it's too quiet and large. It needs more people."
He gave Peter a small smile which Peter returned.
Steve then took Peter on a tour of the floor. It was amazing! Peter listened as Steve and his very limited knowledge of technology tried to explain where things were and how they worked. With seconds Peter knew how to use the TV and even had Steve accessing the most basic channels.
Steve then showed Peter his room, gave him a towel and expressed that he could cover the walls in anything he wanted. Steve then left the room to Peter and his three boxes.
Peter slouched on his bed testing the springs. Steve seemed nice, if a little robotic. Tony was eccentric, if a little crazy and Peter was fine with it all, if a little home sick.
Peter lay down for over five minutes just staring at the ceiling. This was a lot to take in, it was starting to hurt his head. Not only that but his thoughts started to wander. He had been off school all week since he had been too emotionally ill to go. Was he supposed to go in on Monday? Would he still attend Midtown? And what about Gwen? How did he tell her any of this? Question after question presented itself to Peter but one stuck out more prominently than any other: what happens to Spiderman?
Of course Peter would never consider giving up as Spidey but was Spidey on holiday/temporarily leave and about to resume work as normal or extend his break?
And did he tell Steve? Peter had this nagging feeling that he didn't want to yet. Peter groaned before deciding to distract himself. He rolled over and started unpacking his clothes into his wardrobe and draws. He looked out of the window in his room and was shocked how high up he was. If he had been afraid of heights he would be a crumpled mess on the floor. Even though he wasn't it still gave him the butterfly feeling in his stomach, especially because he didn't have his web shooters attached to his wrists.
His equipment!
Peter ran over to the box he had just emptied and saw his dad's brief case as well as his box with his costume and other essentials to his vigilante life.
"Hey Jarvis." Peter called out feeling really stupid.
"Yes sir?" a voice responded. Peter wasn't sure where to look, it felt like it was surround sound so it sounded like it came from left, right and centre.
"Is there anywhere to hide anything in this room?" Peter questioned cautiously. He was afraid that Tony would find out he had asked that and then would come snooping.
"Mr Stark has included a small hiding space behind the left bedside table." Jarvis responded.
"Will Mr Stark know I've asked you this or that I've put something inside the hiding space?"
"If you ask directly, I won't tell him you asked in case he asks a question. He will not know that you've put something in there unless you tell him or he inspects it which is unlikely." Jarvis explained.
"Then, don't tell Stark I asked for a hiding place and warn me if he is about to check my safe." Peter ordered. It still felt strange having a conversation with thin air, then again, not many could say that the air responded. Even then, in most cases you should get that checked out.
Peter ran to what he presumed was the left side and moved the table out of the way. He tapped the wall but nothing happened. Since Peter had never had a double bed before he didn't know how the left and right side worked with beds. Peter vaulted over the bed and onto the other side. He moved the small table, careful not to knock the light or radio off and noticed a square panel that was almost as high as the bed with the mattress on top and equally wide. Peter pushed on the right side of the square and there was a soft click as it slowly swung open. Inside was a vault with a scanner on the front and a handle. Since Peter hadn't done anything to create an entrance lock, he pulled on the vault door and it heaved open. The vault was a cube. It could easily fit the tatty briefcase and the box. Peter was about to shove his items in when he noticed a piece of paper on the floor of the vault. It was instructions to set the eye scanner. Peter read them through carefully before taking action. He lay flat on his stomach and activated the scanner so it knew to scan him to set the lock. Once he was sure he hadn't screwed up, Peter shut the vault and covered it up again before checking his other boxes. Once everything was in a decent place, Peter looked around.
He owned a floor with Captain America and was currently living at the St – Avengers Tower (Tony had corrected him) with complete access to Stark equipment and resources. Just think what he could do to his web shooters!
Once Peter was done he walked out of his room and into the living space he shared with Steve. Steve wasn't there so he knocked on Steve's door. There was no answer.
"Jarvis," Peter called out. "Where is everyone?"
"They are all on the communal floor on floor five." Jarvis announced. Peter thanked the AI and then called the lift.
Once Steve had left Peter's room, he stood in the living room wondering what to do. He was contemplating reading or going to the gym, maybe hit a few punch bags. Steve decided that the latter idea was the way to go so he headed to his room to get changed. Just as he took off his shirt Jarvis's voice spoke clearly in the room.
"Mr Stark wishes to speak with you on floor five." Jarvis announced.
Steve sighed before putting his shirt back on and calling the lift. Once he got down there he saw Bruce and Tony lounging on the couch.
"Capsicle, come and join us!" Tony shouted raising his glass. Steve wasn't sure what alcoholic beverage was in it but he knew it was too early to be drinking.
"Are you sure you should be drinking before lunch?" Steve sighed as he walked over.
"Nonsense. I'm sure some people consider having lunch at around eleven!" Tony argued.
Bruce stared at Steve with eyes that begged him to just leave it be. Steve gave Bruce a small nod and sat down.
"You called." Steve announced as he sunk into the white leather chair.
"Is there anything wrong with wanting a chat?" Tony asked innocently.
Bruce looked over at Steve.
"So, what's Peter like?" he asked.
"He's a really nice kid." Steve said. He was about to say more when Tony butted in.
"He likes science!" Tony cried.
"I know, Tony. You've mentioned it a few times." Bruce sighed.
"Yeah, but a relative of Cap's is good at science." Tony said like it explained everything.
"Anyway, he's a nice kid. He's a little quiet but I look forwards to getting to know him." Steve told Bruce.
"Quiet? He barely spoke on the journey home!" Tony butted in again.
"I think he's just in shock. It's one thing to hear you have a relative who's still alive after everyone you know has died and it's a whole other thing to find out that relative is Captain America." Bruce theorised. Steve nodded in agreement.
"Or," Tony exaggerated, "he was just in awe of my presence. I mean, he likes science so he probably thinks I'm awesome. What would you do if he looked up to me more then you?"
Steve groaned. Tony could sometimes be obnoxious but he was only this bad if he had drunken too much. That appeared to be the case. Tony took another swig of his drink only to find that there wasn't even a drip left. He stood up and walked towards the bar which had shelves of colourful liquids.
"I think that's enough." Steve stated firmly. The authority in Steve's voice made Tony pause.
"And why is that?" Tony asked dramatically spinning around.
"We now have a minor in the house." Steve stated. Tony didn't look convinced and was about to add to his alcohol intake when Steve continued. "If he does look up to you as you claim, what is he going to think when his idol is rat-arsed? How's he going to react when he finds out the man who he spent years idolising is not as he expected but a drunk?"
Bruce was surprised with the forcefulness in the Captain's voice but waited for Tony to react. He could do anything when he was drunk.
"Are you admitting that your great grandson idolises me?" Tony asked delighted. Although he would never admit it, what Steve had said go to him. That was seen when he put his glass on the bar counter and walked back to the sofa.
"I only said if." Steve corrected.
Tony raised an eyebrow, not believing him for a second but he dropped it. The three men sat in silence for a moment.
"So does he idolise me?" Tony asked. He might have dropped the subject but he was bored. Steve held in a grown and he could see that Bruce was trying to as well.
"Why is it so important?" Bruce asked.
"Because I want to know!" Tony moaned and then stared intently at Steve. "It also means that I'll have a fan in the building and have to pull my act together."
Steve sat there in a dilemma. He could tell Tony the truth and be taunted endlessly. This option would improve Tony's health and not ruin Peter's childhood image of an idol. Or he could lie and expose Peter to a drunk man and destroy his childish fantasies. Steve had been raised by a mother and occasionally experienced the temper and odour of his drunken father*. He didn't want Peter to have to have a similar experience.
"You're his fourth favourite." Steve said staring at Tony straight in the eyes. Tony spluttered.
"Fourth! Only fourth?!" Tony complained. "Who's before me?"
"Well, there's Erskine and that other scientist from around World War 2 beginning with E... What was it?" Steve mumbled.
"Einstein?" Bruce supplied helpfully.
"That's the one." Steve confirmed. He left one out just begging for Tony to ask.
"Who was the other one?" Tony asked indignantly.
"Oh, that's Dr Banner here." Steve said innocently. Tony was lost for words.
Just as he was about to come up with comeback the elevator doors slid open and out stepped Peter.
Tony was going red. He was unbelievably drunk, more so then Steve had ever seen him before, and now he was outraged. Steve looked between his friend and his great grandson. Something could go horribly wrong...
*Captain America comics in dimension Z
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