Hey friends, here's a new chapter for you! It's time to meet a new character, someone many of you have been waiting for. Come on, read and find out who it is!
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Disclaimer: no, I don't own Marvel. I wish.
Peter feels nervous. Like a lot. He feels like he's suffocating. The luxurious, huge Stark residence doesn't feel big enough anymore. No, it feels like a tiny hole and he needs to get out. He wants to run to the window and leap off the ledge, he wants to shoot a web to a neighboring building and swing away. It doesn't matter where, just away from here. As far as possible, as quickly as possible, never looking back.
The day started perfectly, though. He had another nice breakfast with Mr. Stark, which has become one of his favorite new traditions. Mr. Stark made pancakes this time. Tons of pancakes with chocolate chips. He was sitting there in the kitchen, shoveling food into his mouth and feeling happy because it was Sunday morning and Mr. Stark had promised to spend the day with him in the lab, trying out a few upgrades that Peter had suggested for the Iron Man suit. Peter felt like he was in heaven.
Until Mr. Stark matter-of-factly mentioned that Colonel Rhodes would drop by after breakfast. He had just arrived from DC and Mr. Stark wanted to introduce him to Peter. But first Mr. Stark wanted to speak to his friend privately. Peter understood what that meant. Mr. Stark needed to break the news to the Colonel. That he had adopted the boy. Then Peter would meet Colonel Rhodes and then lab time. That was the new plan.
But no matter how happy Peter had been feeling before, now that he knew about the arrival of the Colonel, he quickly forgot about the lab and the upgrades and the Iron Man armor. All he could think of was that serious conversation between Mr. Stark and Colonel Rhodes. He was sitting there frozen, staring blankly at Mr. Stark across the table.
He hadn't met the Colonel yet, but he knew that he had been Mr. Stark's best friend – sometimes his only friend – for ages and Mr. Stark trusted him the most. So if he had disapproved of the adoption, Mr. Stark would have stepped back. Was it possible to do that? Mr. Stark had probably the best lawyers in the world, so it might have been an option for him.
So Peter was just sitting there, unable to speak and unable to eat anymore. He didn't know what to do or what to say. But he didn't think he could do or say anything, his only option was to wait. And hope the Colonel wouldn't tell Mr. Stark that the adoption was stupid and he needed to undo it.
Then Friday announced the Colonel's arrival and told that he was waiting in a conference room just a floor under them. Mr. Stark gave Peter a concerned look but then set down his coffee mug on the table and got to his feet.
"See you soon, kid," he said and ruffled Peter's hair on his way to the elevator.
And here is Peter now, anxiously pacing up and down between the couch and the TV. Every now and then he stops and tries to eavesdrop but despite his super hearing he can't hear anything, no matter how hard he tries. So he always gives up and starts pacing again.
He has tried everything. Watching a movie. Reading a book. Texting Ned. Trying to find a scientific question that Friday is unable to answer. He even started doing homework. But nothing has worked.
He just can't focus. He is unable not to think about the conversation that is going on between Mr. Stark and Colonel Rhodes a floor under.
What could the Colonel possibly tell Mr. Stark? Does he think it's been a good idea to adopt Peter? Or is he calling his friend irresponsible and foolish in this very moment? Peter still remembers Ms. Potts did something like that. Mr. Stark told him and he also said that he actually agreed with her when she didn't think taking in Peter was a good decision. And back then, they didn't even talk about even adoption.
Well, thanks to that information Peter is still afraid of meeting Ms. Potts. Yes, he remembers that Mr. Stark said she wasn't worried about Peter being a good kid. She was worried that Mr. Stark couldn't be a good parent. Which is stupid according to Peter. And he's not sure he wants to see Ms. Potts. But as she is the CEO of SI and Mr. Stark considers her a good friend, the boy knows he will have to meet her sooner or later.
Anyway, back to Colonel Rhodes. What if he tells Mr. Stark that the adoption was a mistake and asks him to undo it and Mr. Stark agrees and Peter is put into foster care and-
In that very moment, the elevator doors open and Peter immediately turns around to see who has arrived. He expects Mr. Stark of course, hopefully with his usual warm smile on his face. That could calm Peter's nerves and end his agony.
But it's not him, it's Clint. Hawkeye with a bow in his hand and arrows on his back. Like he's going on a mission or something. Maybe he is, a jet is waiting for him on the rooftop and he has just come to say goodbye before leaving.
"Hey, kid, what's up?" he asks cheerfully, walking to the fridge and grabbing a soda. He sets his bow on the counter and pops open the can.
"Nothing," Peter shrugs, eyeing the bow. Yeah, this is what living with the Avengers looks like. That a bow on the countertop on a Sunday morning is a perfectly normal thing.
"Okay, if you've got nothing better to do, why don't you come with me to train?"
"Mr. Stark wouldn't allow that," the boy replies dutifully.
Clint must remember the time when he wanted Peter to train with him and Mr. Stark forbade it. Like immediately and very vehemently. It was only a few days ago.
"Yes, I know what your old man said," the Avengers answers, rolling his eyes. He obviously doesn't agree with Mr. Stark but doesn't want to cross him either. "Let me rephrase it then. Do you want to watch me train? I know it's not as cool as actually training, but-"
"Yes!" Peter says or rather yells and Clint chuckles. "I mean, yes, that would be awesome, Clint," he adds, this time much softer.
Training with Clint or watching Clint train is more than amazing. Peter guesses the archer wants to impress and entertain him because there's no way he always does this many crazy tricks during a training session. Then again, fun seems to be Clint's element. Shooting at blueberries while wearing a blindfold might be just another boring drill for him.
He wants to try it out of course. Shooting arrows seems so much fun. And trying out the different kinds of crazy arrows, like the ones that explode or burn or shoot down power. He begs Clint to teach him.
"One day, kid," the Avenger smiles. "One day I'm gonna teach you everything I know."
And Peter smiles back because he knows what the archer means. One day when Mr. Stark allows him.
When they return to the penthouse and the elevator doors open, they reveal two men sitting on the couch and talking. One of them is Mr. Stark and the other… Peter immediately recognizes Colonel Rhodes. War Machine.
Peter comes to an immediate halt and he's not sure if he can walk into the room. Because he'd rather run away. From the corner of his eye he can see Mr. Stark getting up and marching to them. He pats Clint on the shoulder, whispering something to the man, but Peter doesn't really care because all he can see is the Colonel standing up and looking him in the eye. He must have noticed Peter's panic because he gives him a reassuring smile. Then he walks to him and reaches out a hand.
"It's nice to finally meet you, Peter. Tony has told so much about you," he says, still smiling.
The boy hesitantly shakes his hand. "T-thank you, sir, it's-it's an honor," he mutters.
"Just call me Rhodey," the man says and Peter shyly nods.
"Come on, kid, no need to be so star-struck, you know War Machine is not as cool as your favorite Avenger," Mr. Stark says stepping closer to them and the Colonel – Rhodey – rolls his eyes.
"You mean not as cool as Hawkeye?" Clint interjects. "I mean you're right, I showed the kid some pretty mean tricks. Don't be surprised if he wants a bow for Christmas."
"Keep dreaming, Locksley," Mr. Stark waves him off.
"As far as I know, Peter here also has a few tricks has a few tricks up his sleeve, right, Spidey?" Rhodey says putting a hand on the boy's shoulder and giving him a smile. "Let me tell you something. While these two idiots are fighting, I'm giving you an instruction manual to Tony, okay? Trust me, you'll need them."
Peter nods again and finally allows himself to smile. Because this means Rhodey hasn't tried to convince Mr. Stark that the adoption was reckless and they should undo it. If Rhodey wants to give him advice on living with Mr. Stark, he must agree with it, right?