Who does this guy think he is?
Peter was confused, to say the least. He remembered being 7 and he remembered being 16. He felt all sorts of discombobulated because he apparently wasn’t even 5 feet tall right now, when he was a 16 year old yesterday!
When he’d finished snotting all over Uncle Ben, he was promptly shuttled to bed to rest until dinner. Now that he’d been laying in his bed for an hour, he felt remarkably calmer, but no less confused. He’d confirmed on his old camera that he was, in fact, in 2008 and had been staring at the ceiling since.
He was 60% sure that he was hallucinating and was somehow still on Titan. Another 40% of him also believed that his whole teenage life was a dream. He wasn’t sure. Some part of it was a dream or hallucination because there was no other explanation he could think of.
He was distracted by a knock at his door, “Pete, are you hungry?”
Peter sat back up, wiping the tears of frustration away and responded softly, “Yep, I’m coming.”
Whatever this was, it felt like a second chance. Peter decided then to just roll with it.
As he joined the dinner table, his Aunt and Uncle shot him matching commiserating looks, making him shrug his shoulders a little higher and sink into his chair, trying to disappear.
They looked at each other and seemed to have a silent conversation before Aunt May sighed and looked towards him, “We know you’ve been upset lately, with Dr. Stark’s disappearance, but we really need you to talk to us buddy.”
Peter startled at that, eyes leaving the steamed broccoli on his plate and darting to his aunt, “Huh?”
She smiled in a funny sort of way that Peter figured was meant to be comforting, but definitely looked pained. “It’s okay to be upset, I know he was, uh, is your favourite scientist,” she rushed to say.
Oh. Right. It’s 2008.
Peter hadn’t really thought about the fact that being in 2008 meant that he would be in 2008.
He smiled at his aunt and continued eating after giving them both an “I’m okay.”
The food tasted like ash in his mouth.
Mr. Stark was missing in Afghanistan. He was probably in a cave somewhere being tortured. But Peter couldn’t help him, he didn’t know where he was, he couldn’t do anything, he was 7.
Besides, was his information even accurate? Peter couldn’t be sure that he didn’t suffer from a grandiose hallucination or delusion.
Peter was no hero. He was barely a worthy Avenger at 16, so at 7? sad face emoji
Peter stabbed a broccoli onto his fork with frown on his face. Might as well just be 7.
Peter soon found himself squished between his aunt and uncle watching the evening news. He felt all warm and fuzzy inside at the routine he’d almost forgotten. He hadn’t really ever cared about the news he was watching, it was always about spending time together.
“Breaking News! New York Times reports that CEO Tony Stark has been found alive in the Afghan desert! That’s right folks, after 3 months of captivity Tony Stark is coming home!”
Aunt May gasped beside him, snapping his attention back to the TV, “You hear that, Buddy?”
“CNN has obtained footage of a military plane returning and depositing Mr. Stark in Malibu, and while we’ve reached out to SI for a comment, they’ve asked for privacy at this time.”
Peter slumped down in relief. He was so happy to hear Mr. Stark was okay, glad that his life wasn’t somehow in Peter’s hands.
SI asked for privacy! That’s not what happened in his dream!
In his dream, Mr. Stark did that crazy press conference, became Iron man and then did the iconic “I am Iron man” thing..
Peter smiled at his aunt and uncle, and at their prompting tried to play up the relief that his idol was okay and that he was happy again. He managed to escape to his room not long after, claiming he was tired and promptly shut the door.
So, it was a dream then? Peter’s head thumped onto his door as he leaned his full weight on it. He felt like he was going crazy! That dream (or nightmare) had been so vivid, he was convinced it was real.
Except, now, nothing was happening the same way it was ‘supposed’ to.
Peter felt equal parts relief and disappointment. It would’ve been cool if Mr. Stark was actually a superhero, and Peter got to actually get close to his idol! But it was a dream.
But he had Uncle Ben, alive and well, and he didn’t have to get a building dropped on him. So, maybe the supposed future wasn’t all that great anyway.
Peter collapsed onto his bed, staring up at the top bunk. Ben eventually knocked and came in to tuck him in and wish him a goodnight. As he was leaving the room he added, “I’m excited for tomorrow Pete, hope you’re up for it! It’s a Parker tradition!”
He’d almost forgotten in all his confusion with his dream, tomorrow was his day with Uncle Ben—a Mets game at Shea stadium!
How could he forget! The route was practically burned into his memory.
Hop on the G at Northern Blvd, Change at Jackson Heights and walk across to 74th. Then onto the 7 and out to Shea Stadium.
Peter went to bed that night with a smile on his face. Life was good.
The Mets lost, no surprise there. Regardless, Peter was happy to spend a day lost in the fun of baseball and Uncle Ben.
But now it was Monday and it was back to reality. He knew that he’d only dreamt up a fantastical future, but the second grade still felt so distant for him.
He sprinted away from Uncle Ben, throwing a “See ya!” over his shoulders, before climbing a few stairs and smothering Ned into a hug “HEY!”
“Peter!” Ned responded enthusiastically once he recognized the gangly limbs, “You okay?”
“Yep, Yep, I just missed you buddy!” He untangled himself from Ned and swivelled him around so they could do their handshake.
He felt settled as they went through the motions, finally finishing with a little pizzaz.
“Did you finish the worksheet for social studies? It was so loooong Peter, I wanted to die,” Ned whined as they looped their arms and walked through the doors.
“Aw man, I forgot about that!”
Peter felt like he was drowning. After hallucinating his entire pubescent life, being 7 sucked.
It felt like all he ever did was go to school, learn, eat, try to connect with his family, and get shuffled back to bed.
School, Learn (not really), Eat, Quality time, Sleep, Repeat.
Except somehow nothing he ‘learned’ was new.
School, Learn (not really), Eat, Quality time (not really), Sleep, Repeat.
And he couldn’t seem to find anything to talk about anymore. He couldn’t talk about his dreams, lest he sound insane.
School, Learn (not really), Eat, Quality time (not really), Sleep (not really), Repeat.
And now he had nightmare sequels based off the whole fake life he dreamed of.
School, Learn (not really), Eat, Quality time (not really), Sleep (not really), Repeat.
He was losing his mind.
School, Learn (not really), Eat, Quality time (not really), Sleep (not really), Repeat.
He didn’t remember his life feeling so restrictive. So boring.
School, Learn (not really), Eat, Quality time (not really), Sleep (not really), Repeat.
And he gets no time to himself! He missed the feeling of whipping around buildings!
School, Learn (not really), Eat, Quality time (not really), Sleep (not really), Repeat.
School, Boredom, Eat, Boredom, Boredom, Repeat.
School, Boredom, Eat, Boredom, Repeat.
School, Boredom, Eat, Repeat.
School, Boredom, Repeat.
Boredom, Repeat.
Boredom, Repeat, Boredom, Repeat.
Boredom, Repeat, Boredom, Repeat, Boredom, Repeat.
Boredom, Repeat, Boredom, Repeat, Boredom, Repeat, Boredom, Repeat.
Something was definitely wrong.
“because… I am Iron man”
What the f-
“That’s crazy!” Aunt May exclaimed, looking back to Ben who looked just as gobsmacked.
He’s Iron man? So Peter didn’t dream it up? But what happened to the press conferences he remembered? What is happening?
Peter shot up and made a hasty excuse to go to his room.
oh no. Oh no. Oh No.
Peter started pacing in panic. This wasn’t supposed to be happening.
Peter paced in a confused haze, unsure of what to do or think. Clearly, he hadn’t been dreaming and he hadn’t made up some fantastical future where the billionaire was Iron man and he was Spider-man somehow.
Peter collapsed onto his bed, trying to understand the implications of this. Did he go back in time?
He has wasted so much time just being a 7 year old, like an idiot. Peter dug the heels of his palm into his eyes, trying to rub away the throbbing.
Peter groaned then, in disbelief that he somehow missed all the signs. He had heard Ben and May’s heartbeats when he woke up…
But Peter hadn’t since felt his powers, no dialled up senses, no super strength, and no wall crawling. He felt like he was losing his mind.
He knew there was only one thing he needed to do in this situation.
(212)-970-4133
As if Peter wouldn’t memorize Tony Stark’s private number the absolute second that he got it.
Except Peter was still 7 and he did not have a phone. He snuck out of his room quietly and back to the living room where May and Ben were still watching the news and chatting. He sneaked further in, behind them, reaching for the shelving behind them.
“Oh hey Pete! Can you believe it, Mr. Stark is a real life superhero,” Ben tossed out, stopping Peter in his tracks and making his head snap up and meet his aunt and uncle. May snorted as he met her eyes, amused at his antics.
“Oh, uh hey!” he straightened his posture quickly, “I was just going to grab the emergency phone, I wanted to text Ned about Iron man!”
Peter internally cringed at how he sounded, he planned to play up the childlike wonder, but his prepubescent voice and genuine excitement did all the work for him.
Ben let out a booming laugh at that, “Go ahead buddy, but please just ask next time.”
Peter smiled innocently and rushed to grab the flip phone, fumbling around the drawer a little before darting back to his room.
He sat back down on his bed, suddenly hit with a wave of anxiety and doubt. What was he to say? ‘Hi I’m from the future I need to warn you about a really crazy looking purple guy!’
Peter steeled his nerves and started dialling. He figured the worst that would happen was that it actually was a weird dream and he had a random phone number memorized.
(212)-970-4133
*ring* *ring* Peter's forehead started sweating.
*click*
“Access code?” came the immediate demand. Peter startled a little, finding the voice vaguely familiar. He had expected FRIDAY to answer, not whoever this was.
“Um, it’s P.B.P.1.0.S.P.D.R” he responded awkwardly, scratching his neck.
“Denied,” the voice intoned, the call immediately dropping. Peter sighed, looking down at the call log.
He didn’t get far, but at least he sort-of confirmed that that was Mr. Stark’s number. He figured there would be no other reason for the number to have any sort of firewall, nor would the voice be vaguely familiar.
But, now what?
“That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever read,” Tony groaned as his head thumped onto the table.
“Can you blame them?”
Tony’s head whipped back up and glared accusingly at Pepper, “Et tu, brute?”
She giggled lightly as she tossed the paper down, softening his indignation and making him feel unbearably fond.
“It’s not funny, Pep, I mean how do they even think of these things?” he whined. Tony looked down at the headline which stared back, in bold inky letters.
IS TONY STARK AN ALIEN OR ANDROID?
“It’s only a gossip rag, it’s not going to get picked up. They’re just shocked,” she reassured. She then muttered silently, “they’re not the only ones.”
Tony sighed and looked away from her. He stood up then as his gaze returned to her, “Pepper..”
He wasn’t surprised, of course, this had always been a point of contention between them. He was surprised at it still being received the same way though, even with him being considerably more clear-headed and responsible.
“Tony... you can’t blame me for being thrown. You know that I would help you with anything, but it’s hard to see you doing something so dangerous.”
“You stood by my side all these years while I reaped the benefits of destruction. But now? Now, I’m trying to protect the people that I've put in harm's way, and it’s something I’ve got to do.”
Tony tried to be firm in his tone, because he didn’t want this to be a thing again. He loved and needed Pepper in his life, and just hoped that she would get it.
"You're gonna kill yourself, Tony. I don’t want to watch that happen.”
"I shouldn't be alive... unless it was for a reason. I'm not crazy, Pepper. I just finally know what I have to do. And I know in my heart that it's right, please understand that.” Tony responded softly, looking back down to the newspapers.
“My mom used to say to me 'You’ve got the name of a saintly man — live up to it!'” he chuckled wryly, "Can't you see this is what I was always meant to be?"
Pepper smiled in commiseration, approaching him slowly to grab his fidgeting hand. "I get it, Tony, but remember that you don't have to be a martyr, you have people counting on you to come home."
Tony shuddered, suddenly feeling world-weary. She was right of course, like she always was. She managed to get it right in one, describing perfectly the issues that plagued him in his last life. Too self absorbed and self-sabotaging to give his family what they deserved.
"I love you, Pep," he said instead, twisting his hand to clutch hers.
“I love you too, Tony,” she confirmed, her hands tightening their hold before breaking away completely. “Now, shoo. You’ve overpromised both the board and the military and you need to start pumping out blueprints. Get to the ‘shop!”
“Oh, Pep, I love when you talk dirty to me,” Tony quipped, smile softening at the tinkling laugh he got in response. Pepper tossed the stack of newspapers into his arms, "Oh, and please keep up with these!"
He then let himself be pushed out of the room, throwing a “See you later!” over his shoulders as he went.
Time to get back to work.
Is Tony Stark an AI or Android? – NY Post
26 May 2008
It’s been touted as a great heroic act — but some staff at NY Post can’t help but wonder.
Tony Stark recently dropped several revelations during a Stark International (née: Industries) press conference. He announced a 180º in company direction—shutting down all armament production—and announced himself to be a bonafide superhero.
With Stark International heading for greener pastures alongside Stark’s (or Iron man’s) new mission statement, is it all too good to be true..?
[READ MORE]
A billionaire's eccentricity: gone too far? – Washington Post
26 May 2008
Billionaire CEO Tony Stark has been known for his eccentric personal escapades, but has been regarded as unwavering in his business pursuits. Stark Industries has long been considered the crowning jewel of the US military with its consistent production of weapons with devastating power.
Following his recent capture in Afghanistan during a weapons demonstration, Tony Stark claims to have ‘seen the light’ as it were. He announced an overhaul of company priorities, his own status as a modern day ‘superhero’, along with the arrest of several members of the SI board and some C-Suite leaders..
WAPO’s Christine Everhart reports on the implications of this shift and the presence of a new weapon of mass destruction, 'Iron man'. Has Tony Stark really changed?
[READ MORE]
The future of ‘Stark International’ – NY Times
26 May 2008
CEO and tech mogul Tony Stark rocked the business world yesterday by announcing a new direction for Stark Industries, along with a new name to memorialize the shift, ‘Stark International’.
SI has been a primarily weapons production company since its founding in 1939. The company, in fact, has one of the longest held armament contracts in history with the US military. Which is all the more reason the world is shocked by this news. For a company whose vision has been set in stone for the better part of a century, what else can they offer?
[READ MORE]
What is Iron man? – People
26 May 2008
We’ve all read the reports about a supposed humanoid UFO seen in international airspace, but what if we told you it was actually… billionaire and playboy Tony Stark!
Kirsty Hatcher reports from yesterday’s Stark Industries press conference where Tony Stark claimed to be the mysterious ‘Iron man’. The CEO shocked the room with previous declarations regarding the direction of his company, leaving many overlooking the latter half of the event. What is Iron man?
All we know for sure is that Tony Stark just got hunkier!
[READ MORE]
Tony felt like he was gonna have a conniption.
He realized, later than he'd like to admit, that he should probably look for Strange. He had been kind of focused on himself. A lot going on, yknow?He had shit to do!
But yeah, it slipped his mind that the guy wielding the voodoo-‘magic’ unexplained science would probably be affected too.
When he asked JARVIS to start some queries about a certain Dr. Stephen Strange, he was surprised to find that the guy was actually a doctor and hadn’t just been trying to make himself sound cool.
Then again, he definitely remembers someone similar being at a couple of galas. He looked the same so it must be the same guy, but what could possess someone to go all birthday magician after a career in science? He was a surgeon no less!
Tony scoffed, Could never be me.
He called the first number he found and decided that he already didn't care for this version of the doc—not that the other was any better. Seriously who the hell sent Tony Stark to voicemail? Who sent people to voicemail on a Monday morning at 1pm?
He had JARVIS call again, ready to be extra annoying in retaliation. He still got voicemail.
“Hey Strange, it’s Dr. Tony Stark here,” he started, putting extra emphasis on his title, “Was hoping to chat with you about some theoretical physics, but I seemed to have missed you. Are these outside of your working hours?” Tony kept his voice saccharine, hoping to elicit the most irritation possible.
“Anyways, call me back if you happen to have any free time in your incredibly busy schedule. Just not on Nepali time,” with that, Tony waved his hand, signalling JARVIS to end the call.
The nerve of this guy! It was Tony's job to be an arrogant ass, and he was not feeling like sharing.
Well, that was a bust. Tony metaphorically shrugged before asking JARVIS to pull up his to-do list. He’d been in the process of making an order for particle accelerator components when Pepper had stopped him, asking him where he planned to build it in the most deadpanned voice possible.
He’d sent one sidelong glance to his sledgehammer before looking back and seeing her knowing expression, practically daring him to admit it.
So, now he was waiting on the materials to be shipped to his secondary workshop, which was responsibly located near the industrial lots about 10 minutes away. He sighed looking at the shipping order, at least he still got to build it.
He swiped again, seeing that he had an upcoming meeting with R&D, scheduled for the 30th. Tony sighed, at least he didn’t have much prep to do for that one.
His list of ‘to-do’s’ felt never-ending, and while he knew that he was technically a long ways from feeling the effects of Palladium in the chest, he couldn’t help but feel paranoid. Plus, it was a closed loop, the more anxiety he had about it, the more psychosomatic effects he felt.
JARVIS prompted him to sign off on the last batch of blue-prints, awaiting his final approval before he could send them off. He grimaced after looking at the first one, he very much remembers rushing through these before the board meeting.
His notes were barely legible and these just wouldn’t do. Tony grumbled as he pulled up fresh sheets and grabbed his stylus, his mind immediately becoming consumed with the work in front of him.
The past couple of days had been a challenge. Since acknowledging the truth of his arrival in 2008, it was becoming increasingly harder to act ‘normal’, especially when he was on a mission to find someone to help him out. Peter wasn’t even allowed to subway to school on his own, so he was fresh out of luck when he wanted to embark on an adventure to Greenwich village.
He had spent increasingly more and more time in the school library, using the computers and free wifi to his advantage. Unfortunately for Peter, whatever backdoors Peter knew existed to get in contact with FRIDAY no longer existed. Or they didn't exist yet. Peter wasn't sure, considering he wasn't even sure that FRIDAY was active yet.
It took 2 days of fruitless and melancholy scrolling to realize that he had other options. Mr. Stark was pretty much untouchable, which was true regardless of the year he found himself in.
But Dr. Stephen Strange, it seemed, had consultation hours. Every other Thursday between 1-4pm. It wasn’t exactly flexible, but Peter figured it didn’t matter, as long as he picked up the phone.
He didn’t pick up the phone. And that was how he spent his 3rd day, staring incredulously at his phone, finding himself unable to bring himself to leave a message.
What would he even say? ‘Hey remember when we fought together on a moon against an evil purple alien trying to steal your necklace?’
It’d now been 4 days and he'd decided that he was tired of being treated like a kid and tired of being ignored—even unintentionally. He told his aunt and uncle that he was going to hang out with Ned after school, and he told Ned to cover for him because he wanted to go buy a new comic book.
And so, Peter embarked on his first grand adventure in a month. Even if it was just taking a subway, on his own, and finding a building in Greenwich village.
It took him longer than he’d like to admit, the subway only got him about 3 blocks away, and walking on his stubby legs was a pain. Peter also realized in this exercise that he didn’t seem to have the same endurance he remembered and he found himself going exponentially slower.
Finally he found the Sanctum Sanctorum, easily recognizing the gothic styled building and the funky windows. He stopped at the bottom of the stairs, trying to catch his breath. As he looked around, some people walking nearby started sending him curious looks, so he began marching up the stairs.
As he reached the top, he swung his arm up, ready to knock, but before his knuckle could slam against door, it swung open. Peter collapsed right through the opening, thrown off by his own inertia. He scrambled to collect himself, not wanting that to be his first impression, but when he finally got to his feet the foyer was empty.
He looked around cautiously, making sure to take stock of what he saw. Times like these, he really missed his spidey-sense.
“How may I help you today, little one?” came a question, in an unnervingly serene tone of voice. Peter’s heap whipped towards the source of the noise, finding a sweet looking lady in a robe not dissimilar to Dr. Strange’s.
She was looking at his with reluctant interest, assessing and cautious. “I came looking for Dr. Strange, has he been by here?”
At that, her expression brightened, “Mr. Parker, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” she greeted.
Peter smiled sunnily in response, feeling instant relief at her acknowledgement.
It wasn’t a dream! He was here, and he wasn’t alone! The giddiness he hadn’t let himself feel threatened to unleash itself in that moment.
“It’s nice to meet you too, I’m sorry I didn’t catch your name!” he chirped back, his mood perkier than it had been since the press conference.
“The Ancient One, or Yao, I’ve gone by many names in my time,” she responded, and as Peter’s head tilted to the side, processing her answer, he could see the twinkle of humour in her eyes.
“Well, Ms. Yao, could you help me find Dr. Strange?”
“Of course, follow me,” she responded as she turned and started up the stairs.
They ended up in a room that was set-up like they were having a tea party. The mental image made Peter want to snicker, but he held himself back, hoping to preserve his dignity and facade as a mature boy.
She then flicked her wrists and effortlessly created a portal, which Peter immediately peered into, revealing a corner of a really old looking library, and Dr. Strange scrunched into a ball on chair, reading.
Peter gasped before he could stop himself, which got Dr. Strange to snap his head up and meet his eyes, “Peter!”
He immediately stood up and made his way through the portal which Ms. Yao was holding open.
Stephen immediately reached for Peter, who allowed himself to be dragged forward. Stephen had a hand on each of his shoulders, gripping strongly, and he seemed to just shake Peter mildly while looking at him.
“I am so sorry I didn’t warn you, or come find you earlier Peter, I hope you’ve been okay.” Stephen said seriously, looking right into Peter’s eyes.
As much as Peter wanted to squirm away from the eye contact, he couldn’t help but feel seen. Dr. Strange may not have known 7 year old Peter, but he surely knew who he was going to be/who he technically still was.
“It’s alright Dr. Strange, I was too caught up thinking I dreamed my whole life for the better part of a month.”
Stephen’s eyebrows furrowed at that, but he decided not to question it.
“Have you gotten in contact with Mr. Stark?” Peter asked, face full of hope.
Stephen sighed, “No, but why don’t we try and call him together so we can figure ourselves out.”
“Thank you Ms. Yao!” Peter chirped over his shoulder as Stephen dragged him back towards the foyer.
They ended up settling in the sitting lounge near the kitchen, where Stephen quickly found some juice for Peter.
It was particularly jarring for Stephen to see Peter as a 7 year old, he couldn’t help but immediately feeling like a mother hen. He looked like a little baby and nothing like the Spider-man he came to know in 2018—even though he was still practically a child then.
Stephen sat down and opened a smaller portal directly to his apartments kitchen, he reached a hand in to grab his phone before letting it close.
“I tried calling his number already but it’s encrypted and my code isn’t valid anymore, er… yet? not sure,” Peter laughed awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck.
“It’s (212)-970-4133”
Stephen’s eyes dropped back down to his phone, eyebrows suddenly raising as he swiped, “I seem to have a message from that number..”
“What! Play it, play it!” Peter almost spilled his glass of juice, and sheepishly put it on a nearby table when he saw Stephen’s raised eyebrow.
Stephen placed the phone on the table, and put it on speaker phone.
‘Hey Strange, it’s Dr. Tony Stark here,’
Peter perked up instantly, at the sound of his voice, legs bouncing up and down in alternations. Stephen held back the eye roll at Stark’s intonation.
‘Was hoping to chat with you about some theoretical physics, but I seemed to have missed you. Are these outside of your working hours?’
“He knows, he knows! He totally knows!” Peter exclaimed, excited.
“God, he’s insufferable, is he always like that?”
“Yes,” Peter laughed, sounding utterly delighted.
‘Anyways, call me back if you happen to have any free time in your incredibly busy schedule. Just not on Nepali time.’
Peter snickered as Stephen snatched his phone up, his frown deep and bothered. “Alright, let’s call him back,” he grumbled.
Peter was about to pipe in, but he held his tongue, wanting to see Stephen even more annoyed. So he sat back, grabbing his juice as he watched Stephen redial and hold his phone up to his ear.
He snorted as he saw his eyebrows scrunch even further as he responded, “What?” before pulling his phone back and staring at the screen, incredulously.
Peter snorted at the look on his face. “Yeah, like I said, my code didn’t work,” he said dryly.
“We could portal to him, but I need to see the location before I can portal there.”
“That won’t work, even I haven’t seen his house in Malibu.”
“It’s no matter, tell me about how you’ve been Peter,” Stephen asked softly.
“Well, I told you,” Peter said awkwardly, “I kind of wrote it off as a dream for 3 straight weeks, but I keep getting nightmares of my greatest hits, and was very happy to try and put it out of my mind.”
“Why didn’t you reach out sooner, surely climbing walls at 7 would’ve been indication enough that something was amiss?” Stephen asked, voice even softer. Peter wanted to roll his eyes at the tone, he wasn’t crazy and he wasn’t a baby. He didn’t say that, of course, he didn’t want to risk sounding so petulant.
“Actually, I don’t have my spidery powers, I could hear my aunt and uncles heartbeats, but after that first night I haven’t had them,” Peter replied glumly.
Stephen hummed, hands swiping up and down quickly, looking thoughtful. His fingers glowed gold briefly, “Peter, you still have your powers, has this happened to you before?”
“No it hasn’t, and are you sure I have them?” Peter asked incredulously. There was no way he still had his powers, he would know if he did. obviously, right?
“Peter, you have them, but this could be psychosomatic reaction. You’ve been through quite a bit and spending so much time denying the reality of your many traumatic experiences may have had adverse effects.”
Peter just stared back at Dr. Strange, unsure of how to respond. It’s not secret he hadn’t necessarily enjoyed his last couple of weeks, his life was boring and childish, but he’d surpressed those feelings because he didn’t want to admit nothing made sense.
He’d spent 3 straight weeks being thankful that his whole life was all ‘a dream’ and thankful that it didn’t happen. 3 straight weeks living in delusion? Maybe not the most emotionally or mentally healthy, Peter thought.
Stephen watched as Peter’s face seemed to turn thoughtful. He was about to pipe up when they both heard a thud. Both Peter and Stephen’s head whipped up towards the sound and watched the main doors swing open, once again.
And in stumbled Tony Stark, who rushed to straighten himself out with a smirk, “Talk about an entrance,” he quipped as he looked around.
Peter immediately snapped out of his thoughts and jumped out of his chair, stumbling towards the foyer.
“Anybody home in the Barbie fun-house?” Mr. Stark called out, snickering to himself and making Stephen roll his eyes almost involuntarily.
“Mr. Stark!” Peter practically shrieked as he bounded towards him, “I tried to call you, but my code didn’t work,” he groused.
Tony eyebrows shot up to his hairline before he tumbled back at the weight of Peter barreling into him, “Pete?”
“Oh my goodness, Pete, you’re tiiiiny,” Tony cooed, shuffling back slightly to pinch Peter’s cheek in jest.
Peter, who had previously attached himself to Mr. Stark, jumped back then, mortified that he’d went koala-mode.
Tony startled at his sudden departure, almost tipping backwards at the weight imbalance. He regained his balance and looked back at Peter, almost cooing again at how adorable he looked as an embarrassed 7 year old.
“Aww kid, c’mere,” he offered opening his arms and inviting another hug. He sighed in relief at the weight of Peter tucked protectively into his arms. It had been haunting to watch his protégée disintegrate in front of him, made worse by the apologies he spilled as he fell apart.
He grunted at the strong squeeze Peter was giving him before looking up and finally finding the eyes of one Dr. Stephen Strange.
“There he is. The man of the hour, the Bleeker Street Magician responsible for this whole situation.” Tony exclaimed loudly.
“What are you doing here, Stark?”
Tony re-arranged Peter, pulling him to his side before puffing up to his full height. Strange looked indignant, which almost threw Tony off. He shook his head incredulously, shocked that Strange would even ask.
“Oh, you know, I was just in the neighbourhood” he started nonchalantly, waving his free hand.
His expression then shifted to steely, voice tight “and thought I’d come ask you ‘What the fuck is going on.’”
Peter snorted from beside him.