disclaimer: do not own mcu or their characters
Thank you everyone who has taken time to read and follow my story! I hope this feels a bit more lighthearted and fun towards the end instead of its usual angst.
restart my heart
the routine
time frame; September
Peter lazily swirls his chair side to side. Fingers tapping against the lab table at Stark Industries. Doing his best to put on the show of being an actual intern, at the insistence of Pepper and May with hopes it would help out with college applications, and instead not having to write down 'pretend babysitter' instead.
He could technically be Morgan's actual babysitter for a college reference but that felt too weird. Peter shudders. Weirder than being around Sophia. Nothing against Morgan, but his stomach can't stand the thought of repeating history with Sophia's sister.
It's bad enough he already failed one of Mr.Stark's daughters. He didn't need to repeat the same mistake with the other.
"Look alive, Parker. You still have two more hours to go."
Startled, Peter looks up to give the older scientist that sits in front of a microscope with a sheepish grin. "Sorry, Dr. Guterman."
The man sighs, leaning back in his seat. "Did you clean the test tubes?"
"Yes, sir." Peter nods. Straightening his posture.
"Sterilize the equipment?"
Peter nods again. "Yes, I did sir."
"Enter in the data results from the quantum dot testing Miss Stark has requested?"
"Yes, sir. Wait, what?" Peter's brows crease. "What would Soph — I mean, what would Miss Stark want with those?"
Peter leans forward. Elbows on the table. He wasn't aware Sophia already had a hand in some of the studies going on within the company or that she was even interested enough to dive into the company.
"I thought we were just helping create hypotheticals for Pym labs?" Peter continues.
Dr.Guterman gives him a warning glare from over his glasses at the slip up. "Miss Stark is personally overseeing the project and that is all you need to know as an intern."
Peter can recall the graphs and codes with clarity. Branches of different lengths streaming from a straight line. All closed off with dots inside the quantum realm. Only four out of hundreds were identifiable as having a low chance of having possible living organisms inside the branches.
She's searching for something. And that something could be deadly.
He blinks and Tony's lifeless body burns behind his eyelids. He could feel the shadows of death claw at his heart. His throat closes and pinches. Not letting air out.
"Mr.Parker? Are you alright?"
Peter shakes his head. Blowing out a low gust of air, Peter slightly slumps in his seat. Eyes refocusing and bringing Dr.Guterman back into his forefront.
"Since when has Sophia been involved with quantum physics? I thought her part of the company was more towards its philanthropy." His words come out rushed and clumsy. Letters and words rushing into each other. Body straining with stress.
"She's young. Can she really spearhead a project like this? Not anything against her! Soph is crazy smart. And determined when she puts her mind to something it's amazing but shes never had interest in the company before. It's just that this project could literally collide worlds if it's more than just hypotheticals." Peter rambles frantically.
Every time Peter spoke to her, which is often and frequent, Sophia has made it very well known she has no interest in the tech industry. Blaming the obsession for advancement with the suits and body armor as part of the reason for Mr.Stark's faults and downfalls. The company and all its studies being a part of her she vehemently denies.
"Misses Stark," he emphasizes. "Project's within the company are none of your business, Mr.Parker."
But why the sudden change? Peter's foot taped against the metal railing of his stool.
"Just because you happen to be friends," he spits out the word with disdain. "With Miss Stark, it doesn't mean I'll give you information you aren't privy to. I won't stand for nepotism."
Peter's heart leaps in his throat.
"No! I...Dr. — Dr.Guterman, I didn't mean, I would never—"
"Do you mind if I borrow Peter for the rest of the evening, Dr.Guterman?" Sophia's voice cuts through the air. The sound of steady clicks follow her every step as she enters the room. Cutting the tension with ease.
Peter looks back at her and instantly relaxes in his chair. His heart falling back down in its place with a rush. The sound of her voice instantly soothing the anxious flutters in his belly. An automatic reaction he can't fight against. Not that he would want to, anyway.
He feels like a child receiving a gold star when she looks at him with a twinkle in her eyes and an amused half smile.
Selfish, he thinks. He's selfish and greedy when it comes to Sophia.
But he's only greedy to protect her. To watch over her for Mr.Stark. Ensuring her safety when he can't be here to do so. A way to ease the guilt. The pain. A distraction that he's been letting himself be completely consumed by.
She's a friendly, helpful, distraction that eases the nightmare that he selfishly wants to keep in a protective bubble the rest of her life.
A deep part of him that he doesn't want to acknowledge whispers he's a filthy liar and disgusted with himself.
I'm such a creep. He winces at his own thoughts. The flurries in his stomach come back with a vengeance.
Despite the tension and stress — (why can't she stay out of trouble for at least a week?) the recent news brings him, she has been a source of peace as of late. His own special way to gain escapism. She fends off the ghosts without even trying.
Sophia walks into the room with hair in huge bouncing curls. Wearing perfume and a pencil skirt that she's slightly too young to really pull off. A mini Pepper Potts-Stark in the making for sure. He can't help but admire her. Smiling largely from his seat in the middle of the lab.
"Hey, Soph." Peter smiles, eyes crinkling at the side.
"Hi, Peter." She beams, gracing him with a quick glance and a pat on the shoulder before giving her attention to the scientist in the room.
"So, how about it? Can I steal your helper for the remainder of the evening?" Sophia tilts her head and grins in such a way that if he was on the receiving end it would surely set off his Peter-Tingle. She wasn't leaving room for debate.
That is definitely a look that came from Pepper Potts.
The angry, whirlwind of flurries begin to float upward and tickle his chest and crawl up his throat to form a lump.
"Soph," Peter whispers. "You can't just—"
"It's quite alright," Dr.Guterman stands from his chair with a strained smile. " I would be happy to lend him to you, Miss Stark." He looked anything but happy, if you ask Peter.
"Wonderful." Sophia tugs on the sleeve of his coat. "Come on, then. There's this new doll set that I had to put on hold for Morgan. I want to grab it before the store closes."
Sophia lets her hand fall, letting go of his coat, and turns without looking back to see if he was following. She always expected him to follow.
Peter gives an apologetic grimace to Dr.Guterman. Hands fumbling to grasp the straps of his backpack by his feet before taking off. Sophia is already more than half way down the hall.
"Soph!" Peter half whispers, half shouts. Shoving his bag onto his back. "You can't just pull me out of my internship because you feel like it! No one is going to take me seriously if I get special treatment."
Sophia waves him off. "Let them think what they want to. You and I both know you could run laps around most of the staff here. That's all that matters."
Frustration bubbles in his chest. "That's not the point. You can't use your position irresponsibly. Especially for me. What will the other interns think?"
"You worry too much." Sophia flicks her hair over her shoulder. Floral scents slap Peter in the nose with the movement. His nose twitches at the overload of smell.
"How did you even know which lab I was in?" Peter trails several feet behind her. He'll never know how she can barely stand walking around New York but has no problem walking miles inside this building in heels.
It's a little bit impressive, honestly.
Maybe she can walk around New York, she just would rather have a free ride good of traffic, Peter quickly muses.
"It's part of my responsibilities within the company to check in on my interns, you know." Sophia looks back with a gleam in her eyes. "That includes schedules and schedule changes."
Strolling around the hallway corner, Sophia unclips her badge from her waist band. Tapping the cards with her fake nails. Peter winces at the frequency. Trying to casually rub his left ear into his shoulder to dampen the sound.
His senses are in overdrive lately. Constantly forcing him on edge and making his skin crawl. Uncomfortable in his own skin to the point he wishes he could just claw himself out of it.
Peter does his best to quite literally shake off the feeling and brings his focus back to the problem at hand: Sophia's newfound hobby.
"Speaking of your company responsibilities, what are you doing charting the quantum dots?" Peter picks his head up and lightly jogs up to Sophia when he realizes she gained a few more feet away from him. Careful to try and sound casual and free and not come across like an incredibly stressed babysitter.
Just a normal friend with a normal age gap showing a normal amount of friendly, non-babysitter interest.
Sophia moves to a stop and swipes her key card next to the elevator doors. "Don't worry about it, it's nothing important."
"Nothing important?" Peter glances around, reaching one hand to grab her forearm. "I'm the one that entered the data, Soph. I saw what you were doing."
And it's incredibly, dangerously stupid was left unsaid.
"Peter," Sophia shoots him a look. "It's really nothing. Don't worry about it."
"Do you not know where you're tracking? You're tracking alternate realities." Peter hisses under his breath. "Do you know what that could do to us as a society?"
Peter gives her arm a squeeze. As much as he tries to help it, he's excited. Getting that high from discovering something new. Learning the ins and outs of something life changing gave him motivation and a thrill that not even the Spider-Man suit could conjure up.
"I mean it is cool. Like a lot cool, actually. And I so want to jump into this project wholeheartedly with you. But Soph," Peter continues dejectedly. "We're not ready for another…adventure. We need to stick to the basics. Stay a friendly, neighborhood Spiderman & Co."
I know you want to save the world. But you're not ready yet.
Especially after the events of Thanos. The world can't stand going through another possible end of the world catastrophe.
He can't withstand going through another end of the world catastrophe. They're still healing — no, surviving. And barely succeeding at that, he adds bitterly.
"Spiderman & Co? I'm co?" Sophia looks at him with a mixture of a glare and amusement. Lips twitching. "I would hope I'm beyond just a co."
"Sophia," Peter groans. Pushing back a laugh that was fighting its way up. "I'm serious. Stop trying to distract me. You've never cared for any of the projects down here and now you're leading one?"
Swallow that anxiety, Parker. Be normal, be cool. Friendly inquiries only. Peter tilted his head down slightly to look at Sophia. Her face reverts back to being a blank slate. Maybe a twinge of annoyance.
"I just want to know why you've left me in the dark." He finishes lamely.
That sounded friendly and not parent like-esq. Definitely not desperate to be included.
"No, I don't know what's being tracked or what was found." Sophia sighs. Turning towards him with tired eyes and a deep frown. "It's just a project Lang and Pym asked Stark Industries to help them with. They needed to borrow a few scientists and some funding. That's all. I haven't even touched it besides assigning it to a few people."
"Do you promise? That's all it is?"
Sophia glides her hand over his. Skin soft with perfectly painted nails. "Of course. You know I don't want anything to do with that side of the company."
The waves of pure relief that washes over him could turn him into a puddle.
"Miss Stark! Peter!" Two interns around Peter's age with their accompanying Stark employee wave. Strolling to the pair as the elevator doors ding open.
Peter does his best not to flinch.
"Do you mind if we share the elevator with you?" A red headed woman with streaks of gray waves. "We're headed to the lobby."
"Long time, no see, huh Peter?" Harry claps him on the shoulder on his way in the elevator.
"Yeah of course, Dr.Sharp," Peter nods in greeting. Holding his hand out to keep the elevator open. "Cindy, Harry. How's it going?"
Peter's senses immediately go into extreme hyperdrive. Tuning into Sophia's movements as she makes her way into the elevator without him. Hovering in the corner with her nails scraping up and down her bare arm.
Peter grinds his teeth and tries not to lean too heavily against the wall outside the elevator while his head spins. He could feel sweat start to form down his back; his body beginning to overheat in the cramped space. He can practically hear every heartbeat inside the elevator.
What is wrong with me?
"Miss Stark, it's nice to see you." Harry tips his head and the short dark haired girl at Harry's side nods her head along with him with a nervous smile before turning her attention back to Peter.
"Living the dream." Cindy gives them a tired smile as she makes her way inside the elevator. "College, interning, and working full time is no joke."
"Sounds like you have a full plate." Sophia says coolly.
Peter takes two long strides to Sophia's side with hands clasped behind his back. Lightening coursing through his veins as he ups the input percentage of his powers.
Liz falling in an elevator shaft flashes on his mind.
What if he was too slow then too? What if he hadn't been strong enough? Would she look like Tony Stark? Impaled, bloodied, and beaten. Staring lifelessly into his eyes.
He can still hear Liz's screams. The way the sparks from the heavy metal grating burned him through the spandex. He remembers the way his burnt flesh smelled.
"I heard you're helping Dr.Guterman work on some of the quantum theories Pym Lab's outsourced to us, Peter."
Peter flexes his fingers and remembers to breathe. The mixed memories fade away. Slowly being replaced with the now.
"Oh, yeah. Yeah. I did the data entry today and measured the quantum leaps needed, hypothetically of course. Nothing special. It was all based off of the Pym research." Peter shrugs.
"Honestly, Peter, you're a mini Tony Stark in the making." Harry compliments him. His icy blue eyes gleam with emotion Peter can't identify.
"Yes we can't wait to see what you accomplish, Peter. I'm sure whatever you do, Tony would be proud." Dr.Sharp adds with a wink. "You and Miss Sophia here would be giving him a run for his money for sure."
Peter tries not to outwardly cringe. "Thanks."
"Having the Tony Stark be your mentor must have been amazing. I can only imagine all the cool stuff you got to do and see." Cindy swoons. "To be side by side with Iron Man as an intern, practically makes you an Avenger! I bet you could have been Iron Boy at some point with how closely you two worked together. What an experience!"
"It was definitely an experience I can't replace." Peter responds awkwardly. Hand ruffling the back of his head.
Harry snorts. "No kidding. His brilliance was unmatched. Well, until you I guess. I can only begin to imagine what scientific advancements we could be achieving if we were able to put both of your brains together."
"Are you sure you weren't related?" Cindy teases. "I mean, there were rumors going on for a while, I mean…You two are so much alike. Just a gentler version."
"No, Peter is just a family friend that wormed his way into our hearts. But his overly sugared personality is definitely contagious. It infected my father for sure. Enough to take Peter here under his wing and me out of a lot of trouble." Sophia jokes, a kind smile on her face as she looks towards Cindy but her eyes are dull.
"Internship with Iron Man and best friends with his daughter? You've got it made." Harry whispers loudly. Elbowing Peter in the side.
Guilt begins to eat at him.
Tony wasn't just a mentor. He wasn't just a person that took pity on him and gifted Peter a suit because of weird happenings he gained superpowers. Nor was he just someone he admired and idolized since he was a child. Tony was so much more than that.
Tony was otherworldly. Brilliant. Cocky and abrasive.
Selfish and selfless.
Everything Peter wanted to be.
Tony Stark is someone who cannot be replaced. He didn't know how to explain who or what exactly Tony was to him. He was a safe presence, maybe he could say he was a second family. Peter had always felt a sense of immense comfort and belonging when in the billionaire's presence.
It's a series of complex feelings he'll never be able to tell Tony.
It was too late. He's gone. Tony Stark is gone. Peter never got to, and never will get to, tell Tony how he saw him as a father figure. Never get to thank him for being in his life, for taking a chance on poor, little, awkward Peter Parker and making his life mean something. In and out of the suit. Giving Peter chances and a life he never would have had otherwise.
He didn't even get to say goodbye.
Sophia didn't get to say goodbye.
Morgan didn't get to say goodbye.
Peter's stomach begins to churn. He blinks back the familiar stinging sensation in his eyes.
"Have a good night, you two." The elevator dings once again. Silver doors sliding open.
"See you next week, Peter." Harry and Cindy wave.
"That was nice of them?" Peter watches the group walk out the elevator. Voice cracking at the end.
"I guess." Sophia stalks forward. "I should probably learn their names if they're frequent acquaintances of yours though."
"How do you not know their names and why are you walking so fast?" Peter speed walks to her side. Trying to catch a glimpse of her face hidden behind the large, brown curls.
"They aren't of any importance to me right now. Or at least, they weren't. Besides, I can't know everyone's names. Do you know how many people Stark Industries employs? It would be impossible to remember them all."
"Well, yeah." Peter rolls his eyes. Stepping out into the near empty lobby. "I just assumed you were at least on name terms with them specifically."
"Why is that?" Sophia walks behind him at a slower pace.
"You didn't seem to have social anxiety talking to them." He shrugs. "Not like you do MJ or Ned."
"They are not people I need to impress. They're my employees. Strictly business. It's different. I don't need or want to grace them with social pleasantries unless given a reason to." Sophia shrugs a shoulder. "Looks like this time, you are my reason to be nice."
Peter can't prove it but he's pretty certain his super hearing picked up the wind from a hair flip.
"That's a bit rude, Soph. Don't you think? They're people too."
"I'm a Stark. It's my privilege to be rude."
"More like your pleasure." Peter grumbles. Sticking his hands in his lab coat. Stopping at the large double doors leading to the streets of New York. Sophia at his shoulder.
"You know, you're lucky we're best friends. I don't know how I would put up with you otherwise." Peter teases. Then quickly falters.
That might have been too far. He knows how Sophia is. Better than he knows May, Ned, or even himself. He wouldn't be surprised if he scared her enough to make her want to crawl back into her inner world and be a recluse again!
"Well, not to put any pressure on you. I know how being close to people is hard for you right now. You know with Mr.Stark gone."
Peter can't breathe. Why did he say that?
"And with the Avengers being disbanded."
Peter looks at her with wide eyes and his heart practically leaping out of his chest. Why can't he shut up? He's such an idiot.
"Ned is my best friend!" He shouts. "But it doesn't mean you don't…what I mean to say is," Peter groans and his shoulders slump.
"What I mean to say is that you're a friend in a category of your own and I appreciate you; quirks and all." Peter breathes out. Placing one hand on her shoulder.
Sophia looks at Peter, completely lost in thought. Blue eyes looking past him and not at him.
"Yes, sometimes the sentiment is shared I guess." Sophia stopped three steps back. Arms crossed in front of her. "Look, I changed my mind. Morgan's toys can wait. I'm not feeling well right now. Just go ahead and go home, Parker. I'll see you at school."
Before Peter could respond, in protest or with an apology; he wasn't sure, Sophia turned on her heel and disappeared back inside the elevator they were in prior.
He wasn't sure if he should be angry that she used her status to pull him from the lab for no reason, be absolutely mortified and beg for forgiveness or be impressed she was able to make a speedy escape in those gravity defying death trap she calls shoes.
Peter settled for texting her an onslaught of embarrassing apologies and dog memes.
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She never had a daily schedule or a rigid routine. Never even went to a public school until this year. There was no point when she tested so beyond those in her age group and had capable teachers at home (Dad, Bruce, and Pepper).
She could have gone to MIT by now and graduated with a degree or two. Go down the same path as her dad and grandfather. Continuing the family legacy of child geniuses. The only thing holding her back is the fact that Pepper was and is very adamant about her developing social skills.
Pepper often said that she was scared she, Sophia, would be socially and emotionally stunted like Bruce, Nat, or sometimes even Dad. That Sophia needs some sense of normalcy to develop those skills. Well, as normal as it could be with superheroes and paparazzi frequently stopping by.
During the blimp phase she would wake up and join Morgan for breakfast with morning cartoons. Then choose her daily activities based on how she felt that morning. Some days it was hands-on learning with Bruce in their makeshift lab in the cabin's dining room. Other days she never left the workshop Tony made inside the shed in the backyard. Opting to stay by her dad's side from sunrise to sunset.
The only hurdle she ever really faced was if Pepper wanted to play teacher and force Sophia in her home office to test her progress. If it was a special day she got to sit in on Aunt Nat's meetings with Captain Marvel and Rocket. Maybe get a video call from Harley in between.
Then off to bed to do it all over again. Never changing and always constant. Never to leave the cabin and before that rarely left the compound. Her main companion being tense silence and desperation to right past mistakes. Every single day, without fail, it was the same.
No one to truly talk to. No one to relate to. Often looking toward the sky waiting and hoping for a change so her family would feel more complete instead of the broken mess it became. Longing for the day she sees her Aunt Nat smile again or Cap visit for a family dinner.
She hasn't had a sense of normalcy in so long. As the years go by Sophia can feel herself begin to get lost in the heavy atmosphere the remaining avengers created. Lose herself in the loneliness being kept hidden away except for a select few.
Go through the motions. Science, eat, sleep, and repeat.
Then Peter comes back. Strolls in and flips life upside. He does it so effortlessly. Breaking through her barriers with ease. No hesitation. Hand out and waiting for her to take the next step.
"Are you up for an adventure, today?" Peter beams.
She's cautious. Unsure if she should.
When she wakes up in the morning, she can't wait to rush out the door. Her nightmares spur her to run to the bathroom and heave and choke back emotions while she gets ready. Preparing herself to run out her home before Peter could even think to swing by. Stopping only to continue her routine with Morgan. Breakfast with morning cartoons. The only normal thing from the 'before' she has left in life.
Then off to school which has become a form of torment. Being at school gives her a sensory overload. Constantly overthinking every answer, every action, every conversation she has. Is she flaunting her intellect too much? Why can't she figure out how to carry a conversation? What is so broken inside her that she can't relate to her peers? Why the hell won't Flash leave her and Peter alone?
Her mind races so much throughout the day and body is so tense that by the end of it her limbs ache. Sophia can feel the stares of everyone in every class and in the halls. Judging, watching, and waiting. She knows she promised Peter she would try and she did. She really, really did.
But being normal has become something of a fear now, ironically enough. It's terrifying.
Being in the elevator and being reminded and told how much Peter was like her dead father didn't help.
She didn't mean to revert back into a recluse. Especially after meeting at the coffee shop with his friends. She had made so much progress. Hill said it's normal to teeter. To struggle with change and fall back into old habits but she has to keep pushing through.
It's just so hard to push through change when the world is watching and waiting for your downfall.
"Hey, Sophia. Wait." She could hear Peter's strained beg behind her but she doesn't stop in her tracks. She doesn't turn around. She keeps moving forward.
The thought of him falling to her angers her and gives her hope all at the same time. She wants to be near him; to be friends like he claims they are but the other part of her mind screams at her to blame him for everything.
It's his fault.
Mini Tony Stark in the making.
"Stop chasing me, Parker." She threw over her shoulder as the classroom door closed behind her.
The night terrors, never ending, fuel her to run out the classroom before Peter and Harley can even get out the chairs at the sound of the bell. Hiding away in the library at lunch and free periods. Images she struggles to push back keep resurfacing against her will. Unable to escape.
All she can see and think of is death. Being the cause of destruction. The reason for Iron Man's downfall and it always morphs into Spider-Man's downfall. Bloodied and beaten.
Peter is also the reason. Mini Tony Stark in the making. Her mind taunts.
So she ignores the calls as much as possible. Only answering the occasional texts because social decorum mandates so. Quick to run off to Happy and slide into the back of the car. Pretending she doesn't see Peter and Harley standing side by side as Happy drives her away.
"It's my job to chase after you"
Her phone flashes in her lap but her mind is stuck on the fact the Avengers compound is empty and the reason why has to do with her namesake.
As the school fades into the background all she can think of is at least his way everyone is alive when she removes herself from the equation.
Hide away, go to school, sleep, and repeat.
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She shares many classes with Harley and Peter and Ned and MJ. Trying her best to keep to herself. Often trying to hide away in the library for free periods and lunch. Again and again. She's able to successfully hide away for three days straight so far.
Sometimes she finds solitude in the courtyard when she realizes MJ has started to catch on to where she's been going.
Despite choosing this for not only her safety and their own, Sophia still feels empty. Feeling alone yet still surrounded by the presence of others. Wishing for peace and quiet and solitude. Life was better alone. It was safer.
Cautiously, she tried to befriend Ned and MJ. Unsure of her place in the group. Clueless as to what she could bring to the table besides trouble. It was easier to be on the outside than force herself in so she gave up. She doesn't have the energy to try.
So she sinks into her chair, hidden away in the furthest corner of the library. Out of sight from the door, students and librarians. Taking deep breaths to shake off the intensity from the day.
"If you keep dodging them they're going to think you hate them."
Startled, Sophia looks up to see MJ towering over her with a slouched form. Hands in pockets.
"I'm not dodging them." Sophia bites the inside of her cheek. "Technically."
MJ raises a brow. "How are you technically not avoiding them exactly? Because it looks like you've taken a permanent residence in this corner to me."
The tall brunette sits in the chair in front of her with arms crossed on the table. A deep frown etched in her face but a fire in her dark brown eyes.
"I still text them. Sometimes." Sophia lets out a sigh. "It's just, most of the time, it's easier to just to —I don't know…" Sophia trails off. Running her hands through her hair.
"It's easier to be alone."
"Yeah."
MJ nods her head to herself. Looking around the room before returning her gaze to Sophia. "I understand."
"It's just that with everything going on, everything I've been through." Sophia slumps over the desk, defeated. "Everything with Peter feels too, too…"
"Feels too real? Undeserving? Don't know what to do with yourself or how to act?" MJ fills in the blanks.
"Yeah. Exactly like that" Sophia whispers. "Nothing feels right but it feels good at the same time. I'm also angry and sad and happy and grateful and spiteful all at once. It's irritating."
"Emotions do bring us down. I hate being tied down to them but what can we do? Live in fear of ourselves? We are just mere mortals, unfortunately." Michelle sighs.
"But I'm living with the fear that if I get close I will destroy everything and everyone I know. That I'm a walking curse and all that I will leave is a trail of destruction behind me." Sophia brings her gaze back up to look at the girl sitting across from her.
MJ suppresses a laugh. "I thought the same thing about you. I'll admit, I was wary of you joining our rag tag team. But Sophia, don't make the mistake of fearing life. Embrace it. Trust me, life is much better with those dweebs in our lives."
"So it seems." Sophia sighs. "But sometimes lying in my pit of despair, agony, and survivor's guilt is oddly comforting."
"Then let's lie in it together until thing one and thing two come and find us after lunch."
Sophia gives her a smile. Leaning her cheek against the palm of her hand. "Thanks for listening to my rambles, Michelle."
"Call me MJ. My friends call me MJ."
Sophia spends the rest of her lunch period talking to MJ in the library. Sharing their insecurities and pain. Depression and anxiety. How they both handle and navigate being so socially inept in a school made for geniuses. Learning together that perhaps they're not that different at all.
MJ leads the way out the library. Sophia trailing slightly behind her. Feeling a little lighter.
"Welcome back." Peter waves from the entrance of the library. One hand holding the strap of his backpack. "Want to get some almond croissants after school?"
Play with Morgan. See Peter. Be happy.
Breathe, live, and repeat.
Her new routine had her running on thrills, pastries, and caffeine. A splash of therapy in between and a nightly mix of pills to help her sleep through the night. Only to wake up lethargic and be moved out of bed by force. Dragging her feet to move on to the next step of the day not from dread but because the fog of being heavily medicated is too thick to push away.
School feels less threatening and more inviting. Comfortable. Not quite hitting that high of dopamine she was searching for but nowhere near to the pit she had found herself in recently. More like a path in a lush, warm garden that leads her to her favorite activity. A guilty pleasure. A dangerous, thrilling, toe curling, heart ready to burst in her rib cage type of guilty pleasure.
Breathe, live, fly, and repeat.
She's never felt more alive, more like her, than when she's in the air with Peter. That feeling, that fact of life, adds to the guilt.
"Should we really still be doing this?" Sophia peers over the ledge of the building. Fingers holding tightly to the edges of the hood to her sweatshirt. Keeping her face hidden as much as possible.
She really shouldn't be here. Shouldn't have spent all night into the early morning like this. Being with Peter Parker is one thing but being with Spider-Man is a whole other matter. Risking everything and everyone just to be able to have a few minutes of excitement.
"You used to love this!" Peter leans back on the balls of his feet. Voice muffled by the mask.
"When I was ten and we weren't nearly as connected in name then. Now you're mentioned in every tabloid that reads Stark in the headline."
"Are you saying you want to stop our night time adventures together?"
"No, of course not!" Sophia frowns up at the wide white eyes of the suit. The oranges and vibrant reds of the sunrise makes the suit blend in surprisingly well.
"Then what's the problem? We haven't been caught yet." Peter shrugs. "We were just here last week."
Sophia moves her eyes away from the web-slinger and looks out to the busy streets and sighs.
"Yet being the keyword. Our names are synonymous with each mother now. You don't have one without the other. It will only be a matter of time before someone puts two and two together. Especially if I'm seen in the arms of Spider-Man swinging through the sky during daylight."
"Hey," Peter places a glove hand on her shoulder. Gently turning her back to face him. "No one connected the dots when it was Spider-Man and Iron-Man when Peter Parker became an intern for Tony. No one is going to question the daughter of Iron Man patrolling at night with Iron-Man's protégé."
Sophia blows out a burst of air. Letting her eyes roam across the mask. Slightly put off that she can't search his actual facial expression to see what he truly thinks. Is he feeling guilty and trying to grant her wishes and cave into her selfishness or is he truly confident they are not being stupid teenagers finding solace in the sky?
Secret identities are like a ticking time bomb waiting for someone to discover it before it goes off in the worst possible way.
"You're overthinking again." His tone is light and airy in contrast to the tense atmosphere.
"And you're not thinking enough." Sophia snaps back.
"It's why we make a great team. You overthink, I under think, and we meet in the obvious middle."
"I don't think 'under-thinking' is something you should proudly wear." Sophia eyes her friend warily. Shifting her weight to one side. "It does explain quite a lot though."
She swears he rolls his eyes from underneath the mask. She just can't prove it.
"Ha-ha. Very funny. Now, come on. Unless you plan on walking home with your newfound anxieties over this but I don't think you'll make it back home and then to school in time if you do."
"Peter!" Sophia throws her head back with a groan. "We're playing with fire. I'm conflicted."
"How about this, we make a quick stop at the coffee shop, grab some pastries and caffeine to go, and then I drop you off at home? All before anyone realizes you're gone."
Sophia tilts her head side to side. Mulling over the pros and cons. She definitely wouldn't get home in time without the help of the hero and she really loves pastries. There's also the added bonus of feeling weightless and the free falling that causes tickle in her stomach and laugh while they soar over traffic.
But it wasn't worth the risk of revealing identities close to her. If someone saw or worse for a photo.
"I can feel you overthinking on what if's and maybe's from over here. I'm starting to gain a spider-sense for it at this point, Soph."
"Well, they're pretty detrimental what if's."
"Sophia," Peter groans. "We've been doing this for weeks now. If we haven't been caught by now there's a good chance we won't get caught this time. If anything, it's weird you haven't been seen with Spider-Man. I promise if a photo appears I'll never keep you out this late again."
Sophia purses her lips.
Peter sighs. "I'll show you the audition video."
She can't help the grin or hide the skip in her step when she moves closer to him within seconds. All anxiety and worries, beliefs, and morals are quickly tossed right out.
"I am no longer conflicted." She beams. Wrapping her arms tightly around his neck. Pressing her body close into his chest with bent knees. Ready for take off.
"You are such a brat."
Peter launches them off the building with no warning. Wind slapping against the back of her head heavy enough to force her face into his shoulder.
A shriek intermingled with uncontrollable laughter tore itself from her throat. Sophia clutches onto Spider-Man tighter. Legs move to wrap around his waist with eyes closed. Enjoying the feeling of being raised higher and higher into the sky.
She really shouldn't love this as much as she does.
Breathe, live, fly, and repeat.
But she's too selfish to even attempt to try and give it up.
Sophia, more often than not, finds herself inside Peter Parker's home after school. So often in fact, she has her own drawer in May's dresser for spare clothes in case they have an accidental sleepover and her very own blanket tucked away inside the couch's storage. May even took extra care to grab one in her favorite color.
The chipped walls and outdated appliances felt more like home than her real one. The smell of expensive cologne and the state of the art technology of her home were no match for the relief she got from May's lavender febreeze spray and flickering yellow lights in the kitchen. There was no reminder of what was missing here.
At home, the ache in her chest was impossible to ignore. Stabbing at her core. As if a vital piece of her existence was missing. She guesses, in a way, it is. Here she feels like an ordinary teenage girl.
Sophia leans back into the couch, legs criss crossed, and scowls at the brunette sitting on the floor. Various movies, but all of them are Star Wars related, spread out on the floor in a half circle. Peter stares back just as intensely. Neither of the teens are willing to back down.
"You know if I put them on you'll still be watching them. It would be impossible not to hear the movie in the background or catch glimpses." Peter states with a raised eyebrow. Hands tugging on the ends of his pajama pants
Shaking her head, Sophia scoffs. "I'll just go help May pick out a restaurant for dinner instead."
"Don't you mean help her cook? She's making enchiladas tonight."
Taking both hands to her messy bun, Sophia gives a tug and laughs. "You and I both know it would end in an even bigger fire if I helped. So again, your choices are either you show me the audition video and then I'll play nice and watch Star Wars or we watch the Sex and the City spin-off."
"Sophia!" Peter lets out an exasperated groan. "It's like a twenty second video I did because I lost a bet with Ned. It wasn't like it was serious."
"But you did send it in, did you not?" She raises a brow.
He nods his head. "Yeah, yeah I did." A pause. "I'm still not going to show you."
"Which means," Sophia drags out. "It's still a valid audition and I want to see it. I'm going to need an incentive to sit through the Star Wars trilogy, Parker. Plus, you already said you would show me the video."
"I didn't say when I would actually show you the video. Just that I would." Peter shoots her a devious grin.
"And for your information, it's the Star Wars Saga. Much more than a trilogy. We're going to watch all the movies. Starting with The Phantom Menace." He tosses the dvd in her lap. Carefully rearranging the others in their correct order. Stacking them high
"Okay. I'm definitely not going to watch the entire Star Wars Saga without something in return. I need an exchange of equal value." Sophia crosses her arms, faintly hearing May bustle around in the kitchen. Pans dinging.
"What if we watch one movie and I'll reconsider your offer then?"
She hums. A plan formulating. She knows he hopes she'll become so invested after watching one movie she'll forget about the dance video and continue to watch the rest. A foolish idea in her opinion. Her everyday life involved mystic heroes and aliens from other planets. She didn't need to watch a movie about it.
From her vantage point on the couch, she looks up towards the mini hallway consisting of 3 doors. May's room, Peter's room, and the bathroom. Peter's room being slightly ajar. Giving her the perfect view of his laptop sitting on the edge of his bed.
"Fine, I'll watch one movie and then we'll renegotiate." Sophia stands from the couch and pulls up her sweatpants slightly. "But I'm going to the restroom first."
Not waiting for a response, Sophia moves her way down the hall. Walking past May's turned back at the stove. Silently pushing his bedroom door open a bit wider. Glancing back to make sure Peter hasn't noticed before slipping in and shutting it close behind her.
"Okay, Soph." She whispers to herself, moving towards the laptop. "The password has to be something stupid and simple."
As she moves her finger across the pad to light the screen, she looks around his room from his twin sized bed. Looking for clues as to what his password could be. Maybe something sentimental? He has a lot of photos on the walls of his rooms. Maybe Avgener related? Her eyes drift to the side. He does have the Lego sets sitting on a shelf over his desk.
Her eyes land on his closet. Maybe Spider-Man related.
Hanging from the top shelf is a long blue sleeve with (poorly) sown on red gloves. Brushing the tops of his clothes and hangers that are practically bursting out his closet.
"Hey, Soph, can we log into your streaming account? The dvd player isn't working."
"Yes, of course." She calls back. Moving away from his bed and to the closet. Eyes never leaving the long blue sleeve.
Grabbing the sleeve she could see dark stains and holes that looked to have been repeatedly and horribly patched. Giving a firm tug, the clothing falls to her feet. A black sharpie of a spider logo staring back at her.
"Is this…?" She reaches down to grab the red and blue onesie. Pulling at the goggles that seem to be hanging by a thread
She can't believe he still has this suit. She takes her pointer finger and taps the lens of the ski mask. How can he even see out of these?
Sophia grabs the sides of the onesie and pulls it out to see better. The weight of the goggles flop the hood back. A large tear near the waist. Looking at it, despite it being her first time seeing the suit in person, she feels a forgotten memory tug at her heart strings.
"What are you doing?"
Jumping, Sophia lets out a shout and turns to face Peter. Clutching the suit close to her chest. Backing away as he stalks forward with a grin and arms outstretched.
"You scared me!" She laughs. Peter swipes and lunges at her. Trying to box her into the closet.
"Good. That's what you get for snooping in my room." Peter teases.
Sophia dodges by going underneath his arms and heads straight to his bed in the center of the room. Back of her keens hitting the edge of the bed and hugging the homemade suit to her chest.
Peter makes a move to swipe at her again. This time grazing her arm. Sophia barely escapes. Taking her arm out of his loose hold and rolling across his bed before springing to her feet.
"I wasn't snooping. I just happened to notice this weird looking long sleeved shirt and went to investigate." She lifts her chin up. Looking away from her friend.
"Oh yeah? Weren't you supposed to be in the bathroom?" Peter crosses his arms over his chest, mouth curving up slightly.
"I happened to see it…from my spot in the bathroom. As I tinkled. And washed my hands I turned and saw…it."
Peter laughs. He makes a quick step to the right, moving to the end of the bed. Sophia jumped to stand back on his bed before they both retreat back to their original position. Standing on either side of the bed in cautious anticipation.
They size each other up. Eyes narrowed. "Really? That's some excuse. For a genius there's not a lot going on up there." He puts a hand on his hip. "Now, how about we put it back? I don't even know why I kept it. It's so embarrassing."
"I don't think so. It's cute. It's your origin story." Sophia sticks her tongue out before trying to make a run for it to the safety of May's side. Make a fake attempt to run over his bed before quickly jumping off the end and racing to the bedroom door.
Peter moves in a blur. Lunging for her with arms outstretched. As his hand reaches for her shoulder, Sophia's foot slipped between his feet, causing Peter to trip forward. His chest pushing into her back and forcing them down. Sophia lets out a scream as she feels herself fall face first.
Peter's fast reflexes twist Sophia to her side. Her face buried into his chest and his forearm quickly moving beneath her head. Cardeling her skull for impact against the floor. The other gripping the onesie over her hand. They both crash against the floor in the doorway. Side by side, their bodies halfway hanging out of his bedroom door frame.
"Is everything okay?" May shouts from the kitchen.
"Yeah, Aunt May."
"We're okay!"
They both shout back. Looking at each other, Sophia can't help but burst into laughter. Rolling onto her back. Peter follows suit. Letting go of the onesie to clutch his stomach.
"Okay, okay." Sophia breathes out. "What if you let me wear the onesie and I will definitely watch at least two Star Wars movies."
"Three." Peter turns his face to look at her.
Looking into his eyes, Sophia contemplates his offer. The suit definitely is not worth sitting through three whole movies.
"I get to wear the onesie and you go to the cafe with me tomorrow."
"You have an unhealthy obsession with their almond croissants. But deal." Peter holds his hand out and she grasps it firmly in hers. Giving a shake.
"Deal." Sophia smiles. Giving his hand a squeeze before letting go and rolling on to her forearms. Moving the discarded onesie to lay flat on the floor. Inspecting the random patches of pinks and greens.
"When May found the suit, I can't remember when, but she tried to patch up the holes with some random fabric and old clothes we have around the apartment." Peter rolls to his elbows. Shoulder bumping hers.
"This one here is actually a piece of shirt from an old Halloween costume. I was a ninja turtle." Peter tells her, pointing to a patch at the knee.
"Which one?" Sophia tilts her head back to see him better.
"Leonardo. Obviously. He had swords!" He sticks his pointer fingers out. Moving them as mini swords.
Sophia can't help but laugh. "So you were the hot one out of the group?"
"Hot one? They're turtles." He looks up at her in amused confusion. His eyes are shining so bright it makes her heart feel like it could soar out of her chest "Are you a closeted furry, Soph?" He teases.
"Shut up. Everyone knows Leo was the hot one. That's why he was the leader." She rams her right shoulder into his left one. "Besides, he has no fur."
"Oh that's how you become leader of a team then? You have to be the hottest? Those are the credentials needed?" Peter turns to lay on his back again.
"Obviously. Look at Captain America. Leader of the Avengers." She couldn't keep the smile off her face. Her cheeks actually began to hurt.
She hasn't felt this normal in a long time. This happy in even longer.
She was stupid to run away scared over the words "best friend".
"Your type is all over the place. Talking animals and blonde super humans that lived to annoy Mr.Stark." Peter closes his eyes.
"Yupp." Sophia pops the 'p' and rearranges the onesie to create a makeshift pillow. Lying down on her stomach and burying her face in.
"You know, this is actually comfy." Peter says, tucking the arm that was previously behind her head behind his own.
Sophia closes her eyes as well and lets out a soft hum in response. Feeling a rare moment of peace wash over her. She could feel her breathing slow and sighs.
Maybe she should convince Pepper to invest in carpet in some of their rooms.
"I guess Star Wars can wait." Peter whispers.
Sophia digs her head further into the onesie. It's not at all soft or warm. Doesn't smell like flowers or lavender. It's scratchy. Itching at her face. The cloth smells faintly of smoke and mildew. Almost stale like clothing left in the washer for too long. Yet still comforting.
She should get her head checked for a concussion.
"Shit!"
Beeeep
Beeeep
Beeep
"Double shit!" May yells over the fire alarm.
Sophia's eyes fly open up and she lifts her head up. Looking out down the hall. She can see the edge of the kitchen counter. A sauce pan with smoke billowing out of it.
"Time to go save the day, Spidey." Looking over at her friend she saw he was already staring at her. Brown eyes shining with warmth.
She quickly pushes herself off the ground to her feet. Pushing down anything and everything she felt in those two seconds to the furthest corners of her mind. Not daring to look at him again as she bends down to grab the onesie with one hand.
"After you, sidekick."
Sophia snapped straight up. Head twisting so fast her neck popped. "Excuse you?" Hand tightening her hold of the onesie.
"You heard me!" Peter takes off in a half jog, half walk down the hall. Making his way to the kitchen. "Sidekick!" He tells over his shoulder, disappearing around the corner.
Groaning, Sophia turns around to quickly toss the onesie on his bed before running after him. The bedroom shutting behind her.
"So who is up for Italian tonight instead? I heard the new restaurant down the street is amazing. The girls at work say the carbonara is to die for." May faces the two teens as Sophia strolls to Peter's side. A clump of what looks to be like liquid coal sitting inside the saucepan in her hands.
"That sounds lovely." Sophia steps into the kitchen, shoulder ramming into Peter's side, and reaches for the paper towels to clean the red sauce spills on the counter. "I'm sorry it didn't work out though, May."
"Uh, sure. May…What's in the saucepan?" Peter points.
"Well, I was trying to make my own mole for our enchiladas and well, a few distractions later it may have been forgotten." May sheepishly said. Dumping the contents of the saucepan into the trash. "The taste test I took was fantastic though. Wish I had you kids try before disaster struck."
"There's still some splattered throughout the kitchen. Peter could always lick it off the counter." Sophia turns to look at her friend with a smirk.
Peter shrugs and takes a finger to the counter. Swiping up a glob of the mole before sticking his finger in his mouth. "It tastes like…cheese-y dark chocolate. Did you forget the chili's?" Peter wrinkles his nose. Eyes roaming the kitchen. The ancho chilis sit next to the air fryer.
"Okay, okay! I'm not the best! I still tried and that's what matters. Now let's get this kitchen cleaned up so we can change and go get some well deserved carbs." May hands Peter a scrub and pushes him towards the sink. "Peter you got dishes, Sophia is on wall and countertop duty, and I'll get the floors. Let's go team!"
.
.
.
.
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Sophia leans back into Peter's desk chair. Her damp hair is pulled into a braid that's slowly and uncomfortably soaking her oversized t-shirt. She places one hand against her cheek and the other holding her phone. She can't help but check the time constantly. It's nearing almost two in the morning. Sophia sighs.
"Are you listening, Sophia?"
Blinking, Sophia refocuses on the screen of her phone. Harley's scowling face staring back at her. She could hear the shower still running in the bathroom where Peter is.
"Sorry." Sophia breathes out. "It's just late, Harley. I'm tired." She's barely sitting in the desk chair. Sophia is ready to collapse forward in exhaustion. Peter had taken her swinging across the city (again) after dinner resulting in a very late night for a school night.
A slow night for Peter's heroic work didn't stop them from practically flying over cars and goofing off on rooftops. Feeding birds their fast food fries or adding photos to his dogs of New York instagram account. Something Sophia didn't anticipate being such intricate and time consuming work.
Peter is very specific about the posts and overall look of his anonymous Instagram page.
"We've been talking for not even a full five minutes." Harley squints his eyes. "Where are you? That doesn't look like your room."
"I'm at Peter's. We were just —"
"Again?" Harley's voice cut through her sentence. Deep and quiet. "And here I am struggling to get five minutes of your time. We hardly speak together at school now because you're always with him."
Sophia sits up straight. Moving closer to her phone. "Harley, no, I don't mean it like that. I'm just tired. Like I said before, it is almost three in the morning." She rubs her face. "It's been a long week. I'm sorry for not hanging out with you as much."
"What an amazing apology." Harley rolls his eyes. Head turned away from the screen. "Sounded like you really meant it."
Sophia can't help but wince at the tone. "What do you want me to do Harley?"
"For starters, start acting like my best friend again. This is the most I've seen you in three weeks. And what, this conversation is now at…ten minutes?" Harley looks back at her through the screen. Taking a pause.
Sophia takes the moment to stack Peter's textbooks in a neat pile. Creating a wall to lean her phone against so she can slump in the chair hands free.
"Let's hang out tomorrow. After school. We can go through the suits and work on some projects like old times. I won't even complain when you inevitably wander off into the corner to read a book. Just like before." Harley says softly. Kindly. As if he wants nothing more than time with her but his eyes are guarded. Anticipating her usual answer.
Sophia's heart sinks into the pit of stomach with guilt and dread. "Harley…I told you. I'm not ready to go down to dad's workshop yet."
Clicking his tongue, Harley's eyes fill with anger. "Do you not want to see me? Did you already make plans with him? Again?"
Technically, yes, but she would never admit to that now. But even if she hadn't already made plans to hit up her favorite coffee place, she knew she would still turn Harley down. "No. I just — Harley, look. I'm not in a place where I can handle going down there right now. We can do anything else. I promise."
"Fine. We don't have to go down there. We can have Happy grab an item or two and bring them to the living room. Problem solved."
Sophia lets her head fall forward onto the desk. Eyes scrunched closed so tightly she sees stars. "Harley, no. I can't do it." Sophia whispers.
"It's just a helmet. Or half a suit. We worked on these all the time back in the day. It's an empty piece of metal. Nothing more."
Flashes of beaten up suits and blue lights fading away repeated on her mind. The sound of crushing metal and burning skin. Sophia clenches her jaw.
"Harley. Stop." She pleads.
"Don't you think, in a way, you would be honoring your dad by continuing his legacy? To repair his suit. Bring a part of him back to life. We could do it together."
The last image of her dad burns behind her eyelids. The faraway look in his eyes. His life being drained. Dying in a half beaten suit.
Being targeted all of her life for that stupid, half beaten suit he couldn't just let go.
"No, please stop, Harley." Sophia says weakly. Unable to look up at her phone. Her head felt heavy and light at the same time.
"Sophia —"
"I think she said no enough times." She could feel cool fingers brush at her stray hairs at her temple. Carefully pushing them away from her face. "Are you okay?" Peter gently asks, his brown eyes staring straight into hers.
Just like that, all the weight she was holding on her shoulders and chest begins to lighten. She weakly smiles back and nods. "I'm just hanging out with Harley."
"She's fine. We were just making plans to see each other." Harley interrupts smoothly.
Sophia turns her head around. Looking at Harley. Her best friend who seemed to barely restraining his anger at Peter. Eyes sharp and cold. She's never seen him like this and it makes her heart swell with even more guilt.
Peter stands at her side wearing a white graphic tee and plaid pajama pants he had earlier. A tight polite smile on his face. "Well, I'm sure we would all like to get some sleep with how late it is.
"I really am tired Harley." Sophia tugs at her braid and looks down at her lap. Not wanting to see the disappointment in either one of her friends' faces.
"Sophia, don't let him take over our conversation! You said we could hang out. I was just giving suggestions. To be like it was before the blimp."
Peter leans over to take her phone. "She can get back to you tomorrow, Harley. No hard feelings, man. It's been a long day for everyone. Can I hang up, Soph?" Peter looks down at her. The phone screen pointed at the ceiling.
"No need." Harley's voice is sharp like a knife. "I'll see you tomorrow, Sophia. Goodnight."
The arupt dial tone of an ended call hangs in the air.
"Want to talk about it?" Peter asks, moving to his bed and pulling back the comforter.
Sophia stands and rubs her hands up and down her face with a groan. "I really, really don't."
Sophia grimaces. Realizing she sounded harsh and ungrateful. She really can't stomach another friend being mad at her.
"I mean," She turns to face Peter, arms hanging at her side. "Thank you but I just really want to go crash on the couch right now and sleep for twelve hours straight."
"I know you're going to say no but the offer still stands. I don't mind sleeping on the couch, Soph."
Sophia lets out a laugh and makes her way out the room. "Always have to be the hero. But I'm okay. I'm sure the couch is comfier than your bed, anyway."
"You're probably right, actually." Peter chuckles as he crawls under his covers and smashes a pillow over his head. "Goodnight, Soph."
She is barely able to wrap herself in her pink comforter and collapse onto the couch before her phone starts vibrating. Three, four, now five times.
Harley's name is brightly shining on her phone screen. Regret and guilt consumes her. Taking her bottom lip between her teeth, Sophia swipes her finger across the screen and curls into herself in the corner of the couch.
It's going to be a long night.
Luxe Leaks Magazine
Sophia Stark has a Date Night with her Babysitter!
Sophia Stark, daughter of late hero Tony Stark, was seen having dinner with her previous babysitter: Peter Parker.
Sophia grimaces at the images plastered in the magazine. Normally she ignores the magazines and gossip tabloids since they never affected her and left her alone for the most part. Especially when dad was around she rarely left the walls of her home or the compound. Hidden away like a princess in a tower.
Things are different now. Her life now includes a bigger circle of people. Ordinary people. Who have no choice but to be showcased on every news outlet against their will with no regard if the information is true or not.
The two enjoyed an Italian dinner by candlelight. Both are seen full of smiles and laughter. Close sources to the Stark family say they're being young and fun. Not worried about labels as they navigate their new status post blimp.
The photo printed below is Sophia and Peter sitting side by side. Sophia looked up at Peter mid laugh, slightly leaning over the table with fork in hand. Peter had his hands in the hair, mouth open wide, and in mid explanation about the fight in Berlin with Ant-Man and Captain America. May, who was sitting across from them, was conveniently cut out the photo.
Their age gap being a little over four years went down to just a couple of months thus making them closer in age because of the blimp. Due to this, many fans raise their eyebrows. Curious as to if their relationship was inappropriate in the past or Peter simply sees the Stark Heiress as a stepping stone to fame and fortune.
Sighing, Sophia tosses the magazine in the trash by the coffee counter. Eyeing her phone in her left hand and wondering if it would be better to call Harley or wait until she sees him in person to tell him to disregard the article. The angsty teen seems to be on edge any time Peter is near or even mentioned lately. She needs to tell Harley it was simply taken out of context. Should be easy enough. They both know Peter would never use other people. Especially to get ahead in life.
An innocent dinner. They weren't even alone, May was there! Friends have dinner with friends. It's normal for people, who you consider to be your family, to be around often. To share a laugh and a meal. She'll tell Harley he doesn't have to worry.
It's just the world trying to propel her downfall again.
end of the routine
word count; 10.727