The Spectacular Peter Stark

It was not a dark and dreary day for the Parker funeral. On the contrary. It was bright and sunny as if the world had not noticed they were gone. The turnout was a decent amount for such short notice. There were neighbors of Ben and May, agents that had worked with Mary, colleagues of Ray’s...But the only people Peter recognized were the Watsons and the girl from his class, Mary Jane.
Peter stared at his shoes for most of the event, only mobile when it was time to place flowers on the coffins. As he watched the four coffins lower into the ground, Peter stared with a blank expression. Two of the coffins were empty, as only fragments of parents bodies remained.
He couldn’t cry, or acknowledge the hugs and greetings he was given. The next thing he knew he was back in the limousine.
Tony stared out the window. It was official now--Peter was alone. Even Pepper was beginning to cave at this point. There was no telling what would happen if Peter left the Avengers tower.
When they returned, the Avengers quarters were empty. Peter went back to what was clearly becoming his room and crawled into bed.
Tony retreated his lab, not sure what to do next.
_________________________________
“Tony?”
The morning following the funeral, Peter had appeared in the lab, looking as if he hadn't slept at all. He went to the window and stared at the city.
Tony got up from his workbench and walked over, running a hand through his hair.
“Do you still miss your parents?” Peter asked, eyes on the city.
Tony put his hands on the railing. “Sometimes.” He exhaled. “But I'm going to level with you kid. Sometimes it will hurt, and some days it won't bother you at all. What's important is that you remember them, and how they changed you... Remember them for what they were, and remember to….”
Peter looked up at Tony, silent.
The billionaire stared back, expecting another question, but he received a tight hug instead. It caught him off guard, but he recalled doing the same to Jarvis when he was a child. Jarvis had been the Alfred to his Batman, and frequently he had to cross the barrier between servant and guardian with Tony, as he did the night Howard and Maria died.
“To what?” Peter suddenly asked, his voice muffled. Tony found himself back in the present.
“Remember to be yourself.” Tony responded. “Not just the person you think they wanted you to be.”
___________________________________
“Peter, this is Dr. Bruce Banner. Bruce, this is Peter.”
Peter and Steve returned from an afternoon in the park to find a half-naked man eating a large sandwich in the kitchen. Said half-naked man turned out to be none other than Bruce Banner or as Peter knew him from television--The Hulk.
“It’s nice to meet you.” Peter put on a smile.
“Sorry.” Bruce looked down at his purple sweats. “I should really put some clothes on…I was just a little worried about--the other guy.”
Steve glanced around, wary. “Did you….uh?”
“Oh, no. Just got a little stressed between here and Midtown. My bus ran into traffic and this guy…”The doctor trailed off and shook his head. He took a deep breath. “I’m here now, and everything is okay.” Peter was sure he wasn’t telling that to them, as much as he was telling it to himself. “So, you live in the tower now, Peter?”
“Uh huh.” Peter nodded. “Are you going to be staying here too?” With the others popping in and out, Peter welcomed any company he could get.
“I’ll probably stick around for awhile.” Bruce scratched his head. “I’m gonna uh, go make myself presentable.”
After Bruce left, Peter spoke again. “He seems nice.”
“He is.” Steve’s smile waned. “But he does have his moments.”
“His...Green moments?”
“Yeah. Those…”
__________
“Breaking News--”
Peter’s eyes were glued to the screen. Who was in peril now? What was attacking? He wasn’t sure when he had become so obsessed with watching the news, but he knew it would forever be part of his routine. He was lucky to have two Avengers around, three was rare, four was bad news. The Avengers never assembled for fun. He had a basic theory: More Avengers around, more danger.
Peter had given up on his Disney dream. Now, all he wanted was a break from the fighting just long enough for maybe a group lunch. Tony was downstairs, working somewhere.
Cap and Natasha were out of the country. Logan dropped in from time to time, and he had even seen Xavier twice now. The Professor returned to the tower to apologize for any distress he had caused the boy, and offered his condolences. He also extended an invitation for Peter to join him upstate but both Steve and Tony declined as Peter was A) not a mutant and B) not explosion proof.
That night Tony and Pepper returned with chinese, Bruce came out of his meditation room, and they had a quiet dinner until a sudden storm hit Manhattan.
Peter looked up from his lo mein. “It’s getting really nasty out there.”
Tony looked at him. “You’re not afraid of storms, are you Pete?”
“The lightning scares me a little.” Peter admitted. “But not the thunder.”
The skies suddenly lit up and Peter flinched. Thunder boomed, causing Peter to snap his chopsticks in half.
“You’ve got nothing to worry about, Pete.” Bruce said. “We’re totally safe up here.”
The building shook.
Tony raised a pacifying hand. “We’re good.”
The lights flickered.
Tony sighed. “Give me a status report on the tower, Jarvis.”
“Power levels stable. Mr. Odinson is coming up from the party deck, sir.”
‘Odinson?’ Peter looked to Bruce for clarification as the elevator suddenly came to life.
Tony shrugged. “Well, you said you didn’t mind thunder.”
The elevator doors opened and in strode the God of thunder, himself.
“Greetings, friends.” Thor’s voice was deep and steeped with pride. “I have returned!”
Bruce looked up. “Oh. Hey.”
“Welcome back, sparky.” Tony gave him a nod. “Pull up a seat.”
“Oh. Thor…” Pepper’s eyes lingered on him for a moment. “You’re just in time for dinner.”
Thor hung mjolnir on the coat rack and joined them at the table. The storm outside disappeared.
All of the Avengers were larger than life, but Thor was unlike anyone Peter had met before. Thor’s eyes fell on the child.
“I believe we have not met before.” He extended a hand. “I am Thor, son of Odin from the realm of Asgard.”
Peter offered his hand. “I’m...Peter Parker...son of Ray Parker, from Queens.”
Thor’s eyebrows raised. “You are of royal blood?”
“Huh?” Oh no, it's just called that, uh--”
Thor squeezed his hand. “Well, Peter of the Queens’ Parkers, I am pleased to make your acquaintance.”
His grip was firm but Peter could tell that like Natasha, Thor was holding back for his sake. “I’m....honored. Uh….What brings you to Midgard?”
“You know of the nine realms?”
“I’ve read some stuff.”
Thor smiled. “Another clever one. Heimdall has informed me that my presence is needed here. A threat shall plague this realm.”
Peter grew quiet. His theory was playing out again: more Avengers, more danger.
__________________________________
“Could you ask your all-seeing pal for a better head’s up next time?” Bruce asked.
They had just returned to the tower full of shawarma and battle fatigued. Peter happily greeted them at the elevator, having watched their fight from Stark’s satellites.
“You’re back! Are you guys okay!?”
Thor scooped him up holding him high. “It was a glorious battle! Many an enemy was slain!”
Peter blinked. “People died?”
Thor set him down.
Natasha and Steve exchanged glances.
Steve crossed his arms. “Those creatures weren’t people, Peter. And they certainly weren’t friendly.”
“Wait…” Peter’s frowned. “Where’s Tony?”
“Stark’s busy tying up some loose ends.” Steve replied.
Natasha put a hand on Peter’s shoulder. “It's getting late.”
“I think the cleanup wore me out more than the fighting did.” Steve said, rolling his shoulders. “Did you eat dinner Pete? We brought back shawarma.”
“What’s shawarma?” Peter asked.
“I got no clue bub, and I ate the stuff.” Logan shrugged.
________________________________

“What are you doing?” Peter asked, stepping into the room.
“Innovating.” Tony replied, holding up something that looked like a cross between a staple gun and a syringe.
“What are you gonna do with--”
Before Peter could finish, Tony shot himself in the arm with the device and winced.
“No more carrying the Iron suits…” Tony rubbed the spot on his arm and flexed. “Gonna make the suits come to me.”
“How?”
“Nanotechnology.”
Peter stood next to Tony and stared at the table. “I think I get it...The nanobots are a go-between. They respond to impulses and summon the suit to your location, instead of carrying around Mk.15 or suiting up.”
“Yep. Catching on quick, Parker.”
“...”Peter scratched his head. “Are the pieces going to move by miniature rockets? Are you going to sync them for an instant suit, or attach based on command? I think the latter works better if you just need to blast something. Or just want the boots.”
“All excellent questions, and all soon to answered.”
“One more.” Peter looked Tony in the eye. “Does Miss Pepper know about this?”
Tony raised an eyebrow. “Last I checked she wasn’t my mother.”
Peter smirked. “I’ll take that as a no.”
In truth he was happy to see Tony doing something. He had found the man staying up late and wandering the tower, or suddenly running off without explanation. According to Jarvis, it was panic attacks. It was understandable. After all, even Cap had his moments and his trauma was decades old.
_____________
Peter awoke that morning feeling hot and dizzy. He rolled out his bed and left his room--it was definitely his now, the walls decorated with posters and souvenirs from his outings, the bookshelf sporting the spoils of his afternoons with Steve at the bookstore as they learned about the world together, the closet full of clothes courtesy of Pepper, who kept him looking like he could be on the cover of GQ Jr.
He washed up in his bathroom--clearly his, differentiated from the others by the red and blue color scheme, the iron man toothbrush, towels, and blue galaxy curtains.
The shower didn’t cool him off. He supposed Jarvis was keeping things hotter inside as they cooled off outside.
He went to kitchen.
“Good morning, Jarvis.”
“Good morning, Mr.Parker.”
“What time is it?”
“11:52 a.m.”
“I overslept?”
Downstairs, Tony was making his way out of the office. It was time for a break, and by break, he meant week-long vacation.
“Mr.Stark.” Jarvis’ voice stopped Tony at the elevator. “I believe Mr. Parker is in need of medical attention.”
“What?”
He headed upstairs, where Peter was sticking his head in a bowl of ice water.
“Tony?” Peter rubbed the water from his eyes.
“What are you doing, kid? The ice bucket thing is kinda old.”
“It's hot.” Peter said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
The elevator opened again, this time revealing Steve back from a run in central park.
Tony glanced at him just as Peter decided to fall off the stool and collapse on the floor.
_________
“This looks bad.” Happy said, nervous.
“Temperature has climbed to 102 degrees.” Steve reported.
“Guys…” Bruce looked at the thermometer. “It's just a fever.”
“How’s the patient doing?” Tony asked, entering Peter’s bedroom.
“Still sleeping.” Steve replied. “Where's Nat?”
Thunder bellowed outside, waking Peter.
“....” As everything came into focus he began to panic. ‘One, two, three...’
Natasha walked in. “One bowl of soup, as promised.”
Thor appeared next, holding up a vial of swirling green liquid. “The elixir has been synthesized!”
Natasha shook her head. “Yeah...I’m pretty sure all we need is soup.”
Five Avengers. “What’s going on?” Peter sat up in bed. “What’s happening!?”
Tony sat on the edge of the bed. “You scared the crap out of us.”
“But why are you all together?” Peter asked. “What happened?”
“You.” Natasha set the soup down on the nightstand. “You happened, Pete. We’re all here because of you.”
“What?”
“Contrary to disbelief, we do gather to do other things besides fight aliens and eat shawarma.” Tony joked.
“But...I'm--”
“Hopefully not contagious.” Tony cut him off. “Drink your soup, champ.”
______________
“It’s been a year, Tony.”
Tony and Pepper stood together in the den, champagne glasses in hand.
“No.” Tony shook his head. “Well, eight months actually.”
“Tony.” Pepper gave him the look. “Eight months or twelve. It doesn’t matter. We’re here.”

Donny Hathaway’s ‘This Christmas’ blared through the Malibu beach house. They had left New York in all its splendor and noise behind for a warm, quiet holiday. Along for the festivities were Steve and Peter. Natasha and Bruce had been spirited off to the Bartons. The house was decorated with red, silver, and gold, making it seem more like an Iron Man themed party.
Peter sat on the floor in front of the art deco themed white tree with gold ornaments. It looked more like something Thor had described from his homeworld than an actual Christmas tree, but it didn’t matter. All that mattered was that it was Christmas, no one was fighting, and everyone was safe.
Well, not everyone.
Terror threats were nothing new, but recently a group called the Ten Rings was airing their propaganda across the airwaves. The Ten Rings were not a group to be trifled with, considering they were behind the kidnapping of Tony and near-abduction of Rhodey on separate occasions. With the War Machine, (now being toted to the American people as the Iron Patriot) officially on their tail and operatives across several agencies looking into the matter, the Ten Rings were considered a joke to the public.
With no family to carry on the traditions with, Steve and Peter dragged each other through the streets of Manhattan. After watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving day Parade, seeing the tree lighting at Rockefeller, the window displays on Broadway, and sitting through a week of Hallmark Christmas specials, Peter insisted that Cap come along to Malibu.
The Yule log blazed on a flat screen. Steve sat on the couch, wearing an ugly sweater themed T-shirt and jeans. He felt less out of place than usual. Peter looked up at him from the floor.
“Are you okay, Captain?”
Given that everyone around him had a little something extra special, Steve wondered if empathy was Peter’s power. “I’m doing alright slugger. Why don’t you open one of your presents?”
Peter blinked, as if the thought hadn’t occurred to him. “Oh, right.”
Tony strode into the room, wrapped in a red robe and silk pyjamas.
He was followed by Pepper, whose visible irritation transformed into an effortless smile. “Merry Christmas!”
Tony downed his glass. “Well, ‘tis the season. Let's see those presents!”
Peter picked up a small neatly wrapped box, marked ‘For Peter, from Natasha’.
Peter remembered his last Christmas haul, a magnifying glass, a scientist jr. Chemistry set, cartoons, socks. It seemed so long ago now. He exhaled. Now was not the time to cry. He ripped the wrapping off the package and then opened the box.
It was a survival kit.
Peter wasn’t sure what he had been expecting, but it wasn’t that. Still, it was a 24 piece kit that would ensure his survival of a zombie apocalypse, so he couldn’t help but love it. “Cool!”
“Looks like you’re prepared.” Pepper said, glancing at Tony.
“He was a little freaked out after Dawn of the dead.” He murmured in her ear. “And Shaun of the dead.”
Peter moved on to the next object to his right, an envelope. He opened it, finding a holiday card from Clint and a voucher for a month's worth of archery lessons.
“I think Clint’s trying to steal our kid.” Tony said to Pepper.
“Our kid.” Steve said, the inflection in his tone of voice making it unclear what he meant.
Whatever Tony and the others were discussing, was lost to the sound of crinkling gift wrap and tissue paper. After his mitt and bat from Steve, and telescope from Banner, Peter was down to his last gift from Tony. The box was small, black, and not wrapped or adorned with a bow. It stuck out like a sore thumb, and that excited Peter. There was no telling what it could be.
He opened the small box and found a watch. There was no prominent name brand, no diamond setting. It was a silver, roman numeral faced, oversized watch. Peter remembered what Aunt May had taught him. He buckled down his disappointment and smiled. “Thank you.”
“I made it myself.” Tony looked smug. “One of a kind.”
“Really?” Peter looked down at the watch again. “Cool. I like it.”
Steve looked at Tony as if he had grown two-heads. Given his narcissism he had expected at least an Iron Man action figure, or a remote control War Machine. But a gift was a gift, and something handmade was extra-special.
Pepper tried to be encouraging. “It's lovely. Try it on, Peter.”
Peter did as expected. It was a little heavy, but it reminded him of his Uncle’s pocket watch, and how many people could claim they had a one of a kind piece from Tony Stark, himself?
More gifts were exchanged as Steve found himself the owner of a talking bald eagle statue and a cashmere sweater. Pepper was far from pleased with her larger than life stuffed bunny.
They sat down for brunch and more champagne.
Pepper pulled Tony aside, and Steve took Peter out on the beach for a game of catch. It was almost surreal. If Peter woke up in hospital, and this was all a dream he wouldn't be surprised.
He looked back at the house.

Tony watched Steve and Peter toss the ball back forth. “You don’t think it's too out of the blue?”
“I think it’s the next logical step.” Pepper replied. “I know you Tony. When you want something you keep at it until it's yours. No matter what I said, no matter what happened, you’ve kept Peter along for the ride. And he’s good for you guys. But it's a commitment.”
“I know all about commitments, Pepper. Trust me.”
“Yes, but Peter needs a parent. I think you want a protégé.”
Peter glanced back at Steve and beyond him. He wound up his pitch, but something crossed the sky, and he dropped the ball. “What’s that?”
Steve turned, following his line of sight. Several dark forms loomed in the cloud. Once he made out the missile launchers he ran towards Peter. “RUN!”
Upstairs, the cheery music halted.
“Merry Christmas, Mister Stark.”
Trails of smoke crossed the sky. Steve hoisted Peter up and under one arm, running as quickly as he could from their aim--the beach house.
Several Iron suits came up from the garage to disengage the missiles. Debris and duds rained across the beach, sand was whipped up into the air, and Steve kept moving as quickly as he could.
Tony suited up just as the second wave hit the house. He made Pepper his priority, as another iron suit carried her off and away to a safe location.
The last thing he saw was her screaming face before he was knocked into the ocean.
__._.___________._.________
With no shield and Peter in his arms, Steve kept moving. He decided against contacting Stark out of fear of revealing Tony’s location. The beach house was purposely built to be a reclusive retreat, meaning the distance to civilization was far.
Still he ran, until he came to a small resort. The tourists were all startled at the sight of a sandy vagabond and (possibly?) Kidnapped child, but Steve was still allowed to borrow a phone.
While contacting Tony and Pepper was impossible, speaking with Jarvis still a possibility.
Peter sat in the lobby on a pleather couch, staring black at the wall. His ears were ringing, he was covered in sand, and his hands wouldn’t stop shaking. Watching the Avengers on tv or from a distance was different. He felt scared, but still detached from the situation. Being in the middle of it, however...
Steve was back in front of him before he realized it. “Jarvis got us a room upstairs. Let’s check in and clean up, alright?”

Moments later Peter found himself in a plush hotel robe, sitting at the foot of a King sized bed. The same footage of Tony’s Malibu beach house was being played over and over, and the big question if the night was ‘Where is Stark?’
Peter held the watch Tony had sent him in his hands, folding it over and over. He clicked the clasp open repeatedly. Jarvis had reported Tony as ‘safe’. Pepper had been whisked off to the city and was currently hospitalized. SHIELD was working on picking all of them up.
“Hey.” Steve in front of Peter. “You doing okay?”
Peter was silent. What part of this was supposed to be okay?
When Peter didn’t respond, Steve changed tactics. “This might seem a bit scary, but try to get some rest.”
“I…” Peter sucked in a huge breath. “I can't! This...This isn’t right at all!”
“Peter…”
“Jarvis said they were safe. What does that even mean!? Miss Potts is in the hospital and we don’t even know where Tony is! What if he’s hurt? What if they’re still after us!? What if--”
“Pete.” Steve put a hand on his shoulder. “It's going to be alright.”
“How do you know that? How!?”
“Because it always is.” Cap gave his shoulder a squeeze. “You gotta fight until the battle is over. The battle always ends, you just gotta fight until then.”
Peter looked down. “I don’t know if I'm strong enough.”
“I know you are Pete. You’ve been through a lot. You can make it past this.”
Peter looked up. Steve didn’t move and waited for a response.
“....Okay, Captain.”
______
“Peter?”
The young boy opened his eyes. He was lying in bed. The tv was on and Steve was fast asleep next to him.
“Peter? You there?”
He knew that voice. “Tony?”
He sounded close. Peter sat up in bed. “Where are you?”
“Look at your watch.”
Peter looked at his wrist. “Oh. Wow. It sounds like you're really here. Great speaker system.”
“Thanks, I know.”
“Pssh. Where are you?”
“Middle of nowhere, Hicksville.”
“Are you okay?”
“Could be better. Could really go for a sandwich. Katz deli, pastrami on rye.Pick one up for me, they open early.”
Peter laughed. “Can’t. We’re not home yet.”
“....What? Where are you?”
“...Still in Malibu.”
“SHIELD ops were supposed to grab you guys hours ago. Pepper’s already back. I don’t like this.”
“What should we do?”
“Sit tight. Trust no one, don’t leave until I tell you the coast is clear--and if you see anyone glowing, beat it.”
“Glowing?”
“Yeah, from the inside. I gotta get off the comms and talk to Rhodey.”
“Oh...ok.”
“And Peter?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m sure if you find yourself in a tight spot, crank it up to 11.”
“Huh?”
“The watch, Pete. 11.” With that he disconnected.
“Sounds like Stark is safe.” Steve mumbled into his pillow.
“Uh huh.”
Peter laid back down after that, not quite asleep, not quite awake.
Pepper was home. Tony was safe.
Eventually he drifted off.
When he woke up again it was to the sound of someone knocking on the door.
Steve went to answer it and Peter sat up on the bed. He looked at his watch. Time stood still.
Steve opened the door just enough to peer through. “You don’t look like room service.”
Peter heard a woman’s voice. “We’re from SHIELD. Come with us.”
Her speech was clipped, and Peter wasn’t buying it. Wouldn’t Tony have called again?
Steve shifted his feet. “Fury sent you?” He asked, looking the pair over--one man, one woman, both in their late thirties in matching black suits.
“That’s right.” The man responded.
“Well…” Steve leaned on the door. “Let me get my stuff, and the three of us can be on our way.” He began to close the door.
“Wait--” The man reached for the handle. “May we come in?”
“It's kinda messy.” Steve kept his tone light. “I just need a minute…”
“Sir--”
“Not yet.” Steve closed the door. He looked back at Peter and mouthed the word, ‘bathroom’.
Peter slid off the bed and began to creep towards the other room as quietly as possible. Steve kept his grip on the doorknob. Just as Peter made it to the door Steve yanked his hand from the sudden, burning sensation. The doorknob was sizzling. Cap took two steps back and shielded Peter from view as he ran into the bathroom.
The door melted away, revealing the two ‘agents’. Something bright red pulsed beneath their skin.
“You might wanna get that checked out.”
They both lunged at Steve, and he sighed. ‘Some Christmas this is.’
Peter stood on the other side of the bathroom door, frozen. Cap could handle this, he assured himself. He knew what he was doing. He was the star spangled man with a plan--
At the sounds of breaking glass and angry growls, Peter jumped back. Steve was still just a regular person at the end of the day, just like the other Avengers.
Peter looked down at the watch.
‘Crank it up to 11.’ He turned the crown, ‘One o’clock...Two o’clock…’
Peter opened the door and it creaked.
Steve had one foe in a chokehold. The other was recovering from being knocked into the now busted tv. All three looked up. The foe twisted in Steve’s grasp as the other ran for Peter. “NO!” Steve shouted.
The watch made a whirring noise and unpacked itself until it encased his hand until he found himself shooting a repulsor beam blast into his pursuer, knocking them backward and through the wall to the hallway.
Steve grinned. Of course it wasn’t just a watch.
He chucked his own adversary to the side and watched as the red glow spread across their now cracking skin.
“That can't be good.”
Peter stepped out of the bathroom to witness the destruction he had wrought. “Whoa…”
Steve grabbed his hand. “We gotta go!”
They made it down the hallway before everything exploded.
_______
After being carried down 20 flights of stairs at frightening speed Peter’s world spun until they were back on the run. Somewhere along the ride Jarvis advised them to get to the airport were Agent Maria Hill was waiting with a private jet.
Peter’s gift had reverted back to a oversized watch. He felt lucky to be alive. While Cap and Hill discussed the current situation, Peter dozed off again.
______
“Breaking News--”
Peter frowned at the television. ‘Breaking news? What does that even mean? It's always breaking. It's never fixed.’
The president was missing, Pepper was gone and Tony hadn’t contacted them in hours. Cap had left with Hill. Happy was in the hospital, Natasha was out investigating the Mandarin’s whereabouts, Thor was galaxies away, Banner was off the grid, Hawkeye was assisting in a rebellion, Logan was with the X-Men, and for the first time, Jarvis wasn’t responding.
Now, he was truly alone.
Peter fought his anxiety off by holing himself up in Tony’s lab, with a laptop and a pile of junk food. It was worse than the invasion. At least then he knew they were altogether. Now there was too much to worry about, and too many things that could go wrong. What if Tony needed backup? What if Bruce was captured? What if an old enemy tracked Natasha down?
Six cupcakes later Peter was writing down every scenario he could think of and calculating the probability of each occurrence. It was a little crazy, but it was time consuming, and that was all Peter could ask for at that moment.
____________________
Peter woke up the following morning and went down to the kitchen, where he found Phil Coulson.
“Hello , Peter.”
“....” Peter’s hand slipped over his watch. “Hello...sir.”
Coulson offered his hand. “Agent Coulson, from the Strategic Homeland--”
“Intervention Enforcement Logistics Division.” Peter finished. “SHIELD. I figured. Can I help you?”
Coulson shrugged. “I was sent to check on you.”
Peter walke to the fridge. “I’m not the one that needs to be checked up on. Where are the Avengers?”
Coulson rattled off his report as if it was business as usual. “Stark, Miss Potts and Col. Rhodes are receiving treatment. Captain America and Miss Romanov are headed this way and scheduled to be back in the city within 2 days. Mr. Barton is...working.”
Peter raised an eyebrow at that as he retrieved a carton of eggs from the fridge. “ And Dr. Banner?”
“Officially? Missing.” Coulson paused. “Unofficially, in Indonesia.”
Peter sighed in relief. “Where are they hospitalized?”
“Classified.”
Peter frowned at him.
“But I can take you to the location.”
“....” Peter was silent, contemplating his next move. “No.” He took orange juice out of the fridge. “They need time to get better. I’ll stay here, thank you. And...thank you for telling me where everyone is. I’m sure you have more important things to work on.”
“No one is okay alone.” Coulson lenaed against the counter top.
“I’m not alone.” Peter argued. “Jarvis is here.”
“But it’s not the same, is it?”
“What isn’t?”
“Having someone to talk to, and having someone nearby. Sure, Jarvis is here...” Coulson looked up at the ceiling. “But he’s not here.”
Peter was silent. “I...I get the gist of what you're saying, but I'm the same way. Whether I'm with them or not, I can’t do anything but wait, so I'll wait here.”
Coulson’s expression bordered on concern. “Well, I'm sorry you feel that way, Peter. As you wish.”
Peter stayed put, and so did Coulson.
Phil remained in the common area, occasionally making a call or sitting on the couch. Peter offered him breakfast and lunch, and by dinnertime they were eating takeout in the kitchen.
With nothing better to do Peter asked question after question, and Coulson divulged very little.
“How did Mr.Fury get his eyepatch?”
“Classified.”
“But why? I'm ten years old. Who am I gonna tell? I don't even go to school!”
“And why is that?”
“...Because I could get kidnapped again.” Peter looked at his plate. “At least, I think that's the reason. People could get hurt.”
“Do you want to go to school, Peter?”
“Not really. My teachers are always telling me to stop reading ahead, and doing my homework before they cover it in class ... Some of the kids made fun of me.” He looked up at Coulson. “But that's classified. Don't tell anyone, okay?”
“Okay.”
Coulson didn’t press but Peter continued.
“It’s just...it wasn’t hard. Mom and Dad were always busy at work, and Aunt May watched me. She said I used to read a lot before I started school. But once I started school, I was told I read too much.”
“If you could go to a school where the kids were like you, would you go?”
“No. It’s not worth the risk.The needs of the many--”
“--outweigh the needs of the few.” Coulson finished.
The elevator door opened. Peter hopped off his stool as Tony stepped out of the elevator.
“Hey. Where’s my sandwich?”
Instead of a sandwich, he received a hug. It wasn’t as jarring as the first few times, and now something strangely familiar.
Coulson got up from the table. “Mr. Stark.”
“Are you okay?” Peter asked.
“Am I okay? Yeah, just fine champ.” He ruffled Peter’s hair. “Did you have fun with Uncle Phil, here?”
Peter fixed his hair. “Uh huh. We talked. Sorta.”
“Heh. I can imagine. But seriously, where's my pastrami on rye?”

________
Bonus: Mildly Civil War
______________________________
“Looks like we have a problem.” Steve crossed his arms.
“Quite.” Tony put one hand on his hip. “But easily remedied. Hey, Jarvis!”
“Yes, sir?”
“Call the kid down here.”
Peter went down to the gym where he found Steve and Tony glaring at each other.
“Uh…” Peter stepped up to the two, standing at a neutral point between them. “Can I help you guys?”
“Let’s just cut to the chase.” Tony said.
“Peter… We really like having you around the Tower. But…”
“Jeez, it sounds like you’re kicking him out.”
“No, well....” Steve scratched his head. “Well, I was thinking. If you wanted to have a normal life...We could move out.You could start over at a safe house, protected. But by we, I mean…”
“We wanna adopt you.” Tony crossed his arms and cutting Steve off. “ We both do. Not together... Now keep in mind with me you become a Stark, but with Father Time you become a Rogers. Living in a house with a literal Mr. Rogers.”
“I don’t get it…” Peter felt the urge to pinch himself. “You want to adopt me?”

“Yes, we both do, but with different terms.” Steve rolled his eyes. “Not everyone lives in a skyscraper, Tony. Some normalcy isn’t bad.”
“Tch. Why would anyone want to be normal? Go with him if you want to be normal, Pete. Come with me if you want to be a millionaire.”
Steve huffed and Peter laughed.
“I'm honored but…” Peter rubbed his arm. “I can’t pick one of you over the other. Oh man, this is really not what I was expecting...”
Steve and Tony exchanged glances.
“Let's make this easier. Futuristic tower in the heart of the world's greatest city
“ Tony looked at Cap. “Or second floor apartment in Brooklyn.”
Steve frowned. “What's wrong with Brooklyn?”
“Oh nothing...just crime and hipsters.”
Steve raised an eyebrow. “The place is in Park Slope. You’re saying Manhattan doesn’t have danger? Aliens invaded for heaven’s sake.”
“Oh I'm sorry, did you say Park Slope? My bad Peter, I take back what said. You’ll have hipster offspring and spoiled rich kids to hang out with, and classes about finding yourself instead of math and physics.”
“Really?” Peter looked up at Steve.
“I‘m just asking you to think about it, Peter. Someday you might wish you had another chance to do things like everyone else. I just don’t want you to miss out.”
Tony was silent.
“I understand…” Peter nodded. “I...I’ll think about it. But I have to go upstairs...Uncle Clint is waiting for me. See you at dinner?”
“Okay.” Tony shrugged.
“See you later Pete.” Steve replied.
As Peter left they continued their bickering.
“Hipsters, Tony? Really?”
“I feel he needs fair warning before he gets there and everything is organic, homegrown gluten-free cardboard and really what kind of life is that for a kid?”
“What kind of life is being holed up in a tower?”
“You make it sound like he’s some fairytale princess…”
“The way he’s locked up isn’t healthy, he needs--”
“A school full of kids not on his level? No. He needs--”
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Tony washed his face for a second and went down to the party deck. He watched the sunrise. He lifted weights. He did tai chi. He would’ve made breakfast too, if Steve wasn’t already in the middle of fixing french toast with Peter. Clint, Natasha and Bruce were seated at the counter table.
“Good Morning.” Peter greeted him with a smile that waned slightly. He knew what day it was. He knew why Tony was so wound up. They all did. But they all treated it like any other morning, for his sake. The conversation was light, and not as forced as it could have been. At noon Tony gathered his things in a bag and headed down to the common area again.
The others were sitting around, trying to look as natural as possible.
“Well, I’m off.”
Clint nodded at him. “See you later.”
Natasha gave him a small wave.
Steve loomed away from the television. “See you, Stark.”
“Right, later.” Tony headed for the elevator.
“Dad?”
Tony froze. He looked back at Peter.
“You’re going to be fine.”
Toyn ruffled his hair. “Yeah, I know.” He looked at Steve from across the room and mouthed the words: “I win.”
Steve rolled his eyes.
The elevator door opened revealing Rhodey and Thor.
“Not gonna let you go this one alone.” Rhodes said, with an encouraging smile.
“Comrade, I have come to see you off.” Thor put a hand on Tony’s shoulder.
“Oh..Thanks-” Tony found himself pulled into a tight hug. “Uh…”
“Aw, group hug guys.” Clint got up from the sofa.
“What?” Tony was still caught in Thor’s grip, so he could only squirm in horror as they all hovered closer. “Aw, no come on guys don’t do the--”
They surrounded Tony and squashed him without warning.
“Come on...I don’t think the Super Friends even got this mushy.”
“Don’t confuse fantasy with reality Those guys had an invisible jet for crying out loud.” Clint smirked.
They released Tony from his hug prison.
“Come on.” Rhodey patted his shoulder. “You'll be back before you know it.”
Tony nodded. “Yeah...Just a little surgery...No big deal.”
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