Free
As Peter opened his eyes he didn’t know what to expect. He could have never guessed in a million years what was now right before his eyes. It was a suit, but not one of Tony’s which was red and gold, this one was red and blue. The same red and blue as his favorite blanket. He stood frozen not knowing what to say. It was obvious the suit was meant for him, it was his size. There was no way in hell Bucky, Steve, Tony, or anyone else on the team could fit into it. It was obvious it was Peter-sized. It shined in a way that made it apparent it was made of metal and the eyes were so white they glowed. In the center of the chest was a spider. Usually, Peter doesn’t like other people, or even himself, to acknowledge the fact that he is part spider. He had been teased and called a freak at Hydra because of it. But this, for some reason, felt different. It felt like it was celebrating his spider side. Like it was something to be praised rather than to be laughed or gawked at.
Tony was looking at Peter in concern. The kid had not said a thing. He was staring at the suit with unblinking eyes, his lips parted a bit in awe, but he had yet to make a peep. Tony looked between his kid and the suit. The suit that he couldn’t bare to face while Peter was gone, but he also couldn’t move it or cover it up. Doing either felt too much like he wasn’t expecting Peter to return. Like he was accepting Hydra won, and he would never ever do that.
Finally after another minute of silence, Tony couldn't take it anymore, “So…” he said a bit awkwardly, “what do you think kiddo?”
Peter couldn’t tear his eyes away from the glorious red and blue, “I-I don’t know what to say. You d-didn't have t-”
“Ah ah,” Tony cut in, “before you say that I didn’t have to, know that I wanted to. You deserve it.” If that wasn’t the biggest understatement in the world. Peter deserved so so much in life and had been handed the worst despite his good-hearted self.
Finally, Peter turned to look at the man who made the suit, “Mr. Stark I-I” again he was lost for words.
Tony smiled and saved Peter from coming up with something to say, “Want to try it on?”
Peter’s eyes grew wider than they had when he first saw the armor. “Can I really?” He asked disbelievingly.
Tony laughed, “Of course you can. It’s yours kid. So… ready to give it a whirl.” Peter nodded enthusiastically, words escaping him. All three men looked at the overly excited boy with soft amused smiles. “Alright then, put your finger right here.”
Peter walked up as Tony did and saw something that looked like a scanner attached to the display case holding the suit. He placed his pointer finger on it, pad down, and an electronic line traveled down the small screen. When it was done Peter stepped back. “It now has your DNA and specific fingerprint. No one else can wear this suit but you unless you give the AI explicit permission to override it with a code.”
“AI?” Peter asked.
Tony frowned, he knows the kid knows what an AI is, “Yeah like FRIDAY.”
“I know Mr. Stark,” the boy rolled his eyes. Most parents would be annoyed or mad at the gesture, but it made Tony’s heart leap. That was the first time Peter has rolled his eyes since he came back. This very excited and sassy behaviour is a glimpse into the kid Peter had shown to be right before he was kidnapped. His kid, the one he fell in love with, was shining despite all the layers of dread and meekness that Hydra veiled over him… both times. “I mean, I get my own AI?”
“Yup!” Tony popped the ‘P’, “Here’s what she sounds like.” Tony pressed a button on the side of the case.
“Hello Peter, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” A pleasant voice calm voice filled the room.
Peter smiled at the suit and waved. “Hi suit lady.”
Tony laughed and the other two chuckled, “Is that what you’re going to call her?”
“Does she have a name?” Peter questioned.
“I thought I would leave that to you.”
Peter's excited face turned to one of intense thought. It was adorable, his face scrunched up in contemplation. Bucky couldn’t help but let out another chuckle at the sight, but Peter was too distracted to notice.
After a long while Peter finally spoke, “Karen?” he asked slowly.
Tony was then the one to laugh, “Yeah? Why’d you pick that one?”
Peter blushed, “I don't know, I feel like it matches her voice.” he shrugged.
“Keran it is then!” Tony proclaimed with another laugh.
“How about you try it on and we can go to the training room the web shooters are built into it.” He made sure to add them in since Peter was taken with his own and they weren’t on him when they found him in the cell with Bucky.
“We can try to recreate your favorite memory here,” Bucky added in. Steve and Tony looked at him lost as they didn’t know what Peter’s favorite memory was.
Peter remembers telling Bucky about his favorite memory at the tower, using his web shooter with him, Mr. Stark, and Steve. Peter smiled at the metal-armed man. He remembers Bucky’s favorite memory as well, Steve being selfless even though he was beaten up by a bully when he used to be small and scrawny. “I would say we can recreate yours,” he said looking at Bucky, “although I have a feeling Steve could now beat up any bully that came his way.” Bucky laughed loudy. Steve looked on, confused. He will ask his boyfriend about it later, for now, it was just good to see the kid smiling, he and Tony weren’t going to ruin that with questions.
“How do I get it out and where can I change?” Peter asked Tony.
“I’ll show you, and right here.” peter looked at him in shock, “don't worry kid, you don;t have to take anything off. I would never do that, you do you take me for?” He feigned hurt with a hand to his chest. “FRI, open the case.” A second later there was a click and the front glass came away on one side a bit. Tony grasped it and swung it open. “Now just think about how you want it on.” Peter looked at him incredulously. “I know how it sounds, but just do it.”
Peter closed his eyes and thought about wanting the suit on, a moment later the suit, all on its own, started drifting out of the case. ANd then, as Peter snapped his eyes open, it started slithering onto his skin, molding to his shape. “O-Oh my god, are these nanobots?”
Tony smirked at how smart his kid is, “Yup, they are connected to your specific DNA and brainwaves.”
“This is so cool!” Peter said as he marveled at the metal almost fully encasing him. Even though it was, it did not feel confining. Somehow the metal felt flexible and breathable. Finally, the last bit closed in over his head.
“Hello Peter.” Karen said.
“Hi Karen,” then he paused, “is it okay if I call you that?”
All three couldn't believe how considerate Peter is. He is literally asking something made entirely of code about its ‘feelings’ towards the name.
“You can call me whatever you like Peter.” The AI answered in a soothing voice.
“Alright, well, I think I’m going to call you Karen.”
“I like that name.” The AI stated even though it’s not supposed to feel emotions.
“Good.” Peter said with a smile. He wanted to see Mr. Stark now and before he could ask for the mask to come down it was already receding. “This is amazing Mr. Stark, I love it!!” He said launching himself at the man. Tony made an ‘oof’ sound as Peter crashed into him, but didn;t complain. If anything he felt like cheering as he hugged the boy back.
“I’m glad.” he said, voicer filled with sincerity, “Want to head up to the training room?”
Peter nodded excitedly. All found walked down the hall and to the elevator where FRIDAY took them straight to the training room floor.
When they got there Peter was buzzing with energy, but he stopped short at the doorway his breath hitched. Bucky was the first to notice as the other two kept walking into the room. As he turned around and saw the kid's suddenly pale face he knew exactly what Peter was thinking. “It’s safe Pete.” He said, even though he too was a bit anxious about being back in this room. His voice got Tony and Steve’s attention as they turned around, concern immediately washed over them as they looked at Peter. He was frozen in fear, his feet less than a centimeter from the room’s threshold.
“It wasn’t.” Peter whispered.
Tony wanted to facepalm. Of course, Peter would be afraid to go back to the room where he was ripped away from his new life. Where his nightmares came back to swallow him again. How could he have not seen this coming? “I replaced the windows with bulletproof and shatterproof glass and I added a lot of new safety protocols to FRIDAY. It’s safe Pete.” Tony tried.
Peter still looked unsure as he looked at the windows, different now, but the same place where Hydra broke in and took not only him but Bucky too. How could he trust that it was safe? He asked the only question that would make him believe it was true, “You promise?” Peter's voice almost pleading.
There it was again, I Promise. Once again Tony had trouble saying it. He wanted it to be easy because he would and has done everything to keep Peter safe and make him feel so, but there is still that stupid 1%. This is where they got in even though Tony didn’t think it was possible. They still broke in, got past the team, and took two of their own. But looking into Peter’s eyes and reminding himself of the new glass, the protocols, and the fact that Peter was in protective armor now he said, “I promise.”
Peter took a deep breath after he heard those two words and walked in. He was still hesitant though as he came over to the three. “Ready to recreate some memories?” Bucky asked, trying to lighten the mood. Peter smiled at him, not as excited as before, but still with genuine joy. He nodded. “Alright, go for it.” Tony, Bucky, and Steve stood off to the side. This was about Peter, this was for Peter.
Peter backed up, had his mask re-encase his head, looked around one more time for threats, which none of the older men missed, and then started running and as he thought about shooting out a web, one came out and stuck to a ceiling beam. After a few more seconds of running his feet left the ground and he swung shooting web after web. Once he was swinging around the room his worry melted away. He felt so free, something he hasn’t felt fully since the last time he was in this room right before everything went to hell.
Tony, Bucky, and Steve watched on as Peter let out a ‘whoop.’ They were all smiling up at the kid and Peter was smiling from inside his mask. Peter let his mask retreat a minute later and he felt the air go through his hair. He looked down at the men smiling at him and he smiled at them wider than before if that was possible. He felt honestly and truly happy, safe, and free.