Doing it All for Them
November 2nd, 2023
Peter sighed as he wearily laid himself down on the hard surface on the roof of some apartment building in Tribeca. Generally, he did all his patrolling in Queens. I mean, that was where he grew up, that’s where he lived..that is where he still lives. Peter scrunched up his face as he lifted himself up onto his elbows, looking across the Manhattan skyline in the sunset. He didn’t really like patrolling or hanging around in Queens anymore, not since the blip happened. Happy and May had moved in together after they’d gotten married during that five year span. He lived in some unfamiliar penthouse in the Downtown Flushing area. It was still in Queens…but it wasn’t home. Not to him.
Karen’s voice pulled him away from his thoughts. “Peter,” the A.I.’s voice spoke smoothly, “Your curfew is at 10:00 o’clock. It is currently 9:55.” Karen paused for a moment, letting her words sink in.
Peter huffed in a mixture of annoyance and exhaustion. “Well..guess I’m going to be late.” He said in defeat as he got up, stretching his stiff muscles as he did so.
Honestly, he probably set a record for web-swinging getting back to the penthouse.
After getting to the roof, quickly changing, and then making his way down to Happy and May’s place. He unlocked the door and entered quietly.
Peter meekly made his way into the living room, seeing that both May and Happy sat there on the couch. A surprise to say the least, because he barely saw the pair now. With May being busy with F.E.A.S.T, and Happy spending more and more time taking care of security measures at Stark Industries. Peter did not see them often anymore.
Peter knew he was past curfew, so he started off stammering, “Listen…I know that I have a curfew…” He trailed off, what was he supposed to say? Say that he almost couldn’t stand seeing how different everything was here and would rather more of his time elsewhere?
“Your curfew is at 10:00, that’s what was agreed upon.” May stated, worry thick in her voice.
“I know..”
“Peter. It is 10:15 right now. Where even were you?”
Peter went silent for a moment, Happy and May didn’t know he patrolled mostly in Manhattan and Brooklyn now.
“….Tribeca?”
“Peter. Tribeca is in Manhattan.” Happy’s voice was low.
“Yea?…”
“You’re only supposed to patrol in Queens!” Now the older man sounded exasperated.
He didn’t have an answer. Well..he didn’t have an answer he actually wanted to say.
So, he stayed silent.
May broke the quiet tension. “ Peter, we made all these rules for a reason. To keep you safe.” Her voice was soft. It was obvious she wasn’t angry. Though, looking at his aunt’s face he could tell she was concerned and disappointed.
“I know! It’s just…”
Peter couldn’t come up with an excuse.
“If you know, then why are you patrolling in Manhattan and coming home late? This is the third time you’ve missed curfew!”
All Peter could offer was a half-hearted
shrug.
Looking at Peter, May pinched the bridge of her nose and closed her eyes. “Just please don’t do it again..I don’t want to have to get Tony involved or take your suit away..”
He couldn’t help hiding the subtle expression of shock on his face. Furrowing his eyebrows, he looked up at May.
And, for a few seconds. The pair simply stared at each other. Sighing, May averted her eyes away. “I don’t want to lose you again Peter.”
•••
November 3rd, 2023
“Peter, you okay?”
He looked up, Ned’s voice bringing him from his homework.
“Hm?”
Ned studied Peter for a moment and spoke again.
“I asked if you were okay?”
“Yea, I’m okay. Still difficult just adjusting to everything, but everyone is having a hard time.”
No, he wasn’t okay. Peter almost felt like he was drowning in all the changes, but everyone else probably felt the same. So, he’d deal with it by himself. The last thing Peter wanted was to place his worries and issues on other people. Everyone already had so much to deal with since the vanished returned and he wasn’t going to add any more difficulties.
“You sure? You’ve been quiet almost all day today.”
“I’m fine. Seriously dude, just adjusting still. Plus, I’m pretty wiped from last night’s patrol.” He lied, flashing a small smile at Ned to try and assure him everything was okay.
“Okay..if you say so.” The skepticism is Ned’s voice was obvious. Peter groaned internally. Lying was not his strong suit, but at least the other teen had dropped the issue.
The rest of study hall went by at a crawl. Especially since after their conversation, neither had spoken another word.
Thankfully, the bell rang, releasing the students from the last hour of school.
As Peter began packing up his books and homework, Ned turned towards him.
“You know…maybe we can hang out this weekend? Watch some of the movies and shows that were released during the blip?”
Peter looked at him, thought for a moment and then gave a smile.
“Sure Ned, that actually sounds great!”
Peter heard him sigh in relief.
Ned had packed up his things faster than Peter. His best friend flashed him a smile. “See you tomorrow Pete!”
Peter gave a nod of his head as he waved goodbye to Ned.
Heading out of the school, Peter ducked behind a deserted alley. He changed into his suit with a speed only practice could produce. Taking his civilian cloths and shoving them into his bag, he crawled up the building about 80 feet and webbed his backpack to the wall.
Just as he made his way to the roof, getting ready to jump. Karen’s voice rang in his ears.
“Peter, Mr. Stark is calling you.”
Her words froze him.
Mr. Stark hadn’t talked to him in almost a week and a half. The man had first been healing from using the infinity stone back in early October. After that, he had other things to worry about. Like finishing the rebuilding of the Avengers Compound and his daughter.
“Answer the call, thanks Karen.”
A moment passed as Karen patched Tony through.
“Hey kid, been a bit. Why don’t we have a little chat?”