Chapter 5
When Peter gently woke up the next morning, he was slightly puzzled about the familiar ache in his body. When the thoughts did properly process, though, it was with considerable excitement that he jumped out of bed and stepped up to his makeshift computer. He was pretty proud of the independent invention, there weren't many materials available for him so it had been developed with whatever he could obtain. From what he comprehended, being able to make a modern computer out of scrap was unusual.
He typed ‘Queen’s local news’ into the search bar quickly, nervous for what might pop up. There were the customary things like weather and traffic reports but they were basically hidden between the multiple articles meticulously documenting some sort of spider hero. The media looked to have affectionately dubbed him ‘Spiderman’ and opinions on him naturally differed from source to source. Some considered him a local hero while others claimed he was a ‘masked menace’, it didn't really bother him; he was certain to be called a monster if they genuinely identified who he was.
Ultimately most of it was positive anyway. He made sure to check for any articles that may reference him being at Stark industries or Stark guns on the street but there weren't any he could find. That was good, he didn't need Stark to loathe him too much - he didn't seem like someone that liked to be called out on his failure, at least not publicly.
Peter was swift to get dressed after that; it had been an incredible night, but he nonetheless had to attend school so he shoved on some jeans and a new t-shirt he got from Ned. It had a science joke printed on the front,‘What do you call an acid with attitude?’and Peter struggled not to snicker every time he read it. It was childish but as much as he complained about how annoying it was to look so young it was also nice sometimes.
Whatever Hydra did to stunt his growth also stunted his cognitive development somewhat. Some foolish impulses like playing with toys and friends were still there but they just mixed oddly with the fact that he had decades of experience and extensive knowledge. Peter probably acted like someone would expect from a childish adult. Every so often these impulses were hard to ignore, like he had tried to do while with Hydra but now he embraced them a lot more by simply hanging out with people like Ned.
Winter had always been accepting of the fact he still felt the need to be childish sometimes, he would play games with Peter and they were enjoyable even if there wasn't decidedly much to do in a Hydra base. It was enjoyable when Winter really acted like his big brother.
He forced the thoughts back. He didn't need to start thinking about Winter when he had things to achieve and instead heeded to the kitchen where he met May. Breakfast was hasty, and he left with just a quick kiss to May’s cheek and a, “Love you, Aunt May!” as he turned away. Midtown High was quite far away so Peter had to take the subway before a brief walk to even get to the bus.
Once he did, though, he met up with Ned near the front where they arranged their next hangout however it was made more difficult by the fact that he presently possessed other things to take up his nights. “Uh, I can do it next Friday if that's okay, I can even bring the new Lego set I bought.” He knew Ned would be curious about why he was suddenly active, but he seemed to have decided not to ask about it.
They maintained the conversation the whole way to school before heading to their first period. It was chemistry, a class they both enjoyed, however, it was also shared with that Flash kid. He was a nuisance and Peter really did have to restrain himself when he started making fun of Ned. Peter was used to humiliation from his handlers, but it had been something he couldn't tolerate when directed at his friends, under no circumstances. His mocking was childish, but he definitely knew what would hurt.
“Hey fatty, how are you and your boyfriend?” Flash taunted, even if the insults were produced to sting them they eventually got boring. That same sentence was repeated almost every day and it eventually lost its effect.
“We’re excellent Eugene, how are you today?” Peter absolutely did try being mature about it, and he mostly was, but he couldn't help but use a name that he recognized Flash hated just to see the furious scrunch of his face. It seemed he was already in a bad mood that day as instead of continuing the taunting he stomped away. Or at least that was what Peter thought before Mr.Harrington started lecturing him on bullying.
It was a little disappointing that his day just got worse from then, Flash decided to get even more annoying and Peter realized he forgot his lunch. However, it took a turn for the better during the time after lunch.
People were talking about Spiderman. An embarrassed smile made it up onto Peter’s face, the debates were funny, many making theories up about him. Ironically, while Ned and others seemed to like Spiderman, Flash seemed to be his most adoring fan. Peter couldn't imagine what he would say if he found out who was behind the mask.
Spiderman continued to be a topic of conversation throughout school, even among the teachers. Everyone seemed to have an opinion. It was intriguing to discover how his actions were perceived, those who disliked Spiderman also appeared to be those that religiously followed the Daily Bugle. They were only genuinely popular because of the fact they were controversial anyway, picking apart vigilantes was also a favourite segment of theirs.
That night when Peter went out for the second time as Spiderman, he couldn't help but visit the Daily Bugle. Maybe it was petty of him, but Peter couldn't help but do something in revenge for their comments in the paper earlier. With a smirk on his face, Peter wrapped a web all the way around the building before binding it in a bow at the doors. It would disintegrate before they needed to start their day at work but the message would be clear, he didn't care what they thought of him - especially when he stared right into the security camera opposite the building.
He was elsewhere after that, going to aid a woman he could overhear screaming a couple of blocks away. It was an easy save, just webbed the guy to the wall before confiscating the girl's phone and calling the police before he was swinging away again.
The night was just as eventful as the last, even without any more Stark guns found, he saved many citizens and was just as achy in the end as yesterday. Once more however, he didn't risk a bath but instead changed and collapsed in bed, already imagining the article that would be released tomorrow.
Days continued like that until eventually months had passed by. He and May had established new traditions such as watching a different movie every Friday night which Peter found comforting. Movies were still relatively new to him, at least these types of movies were. It was intriguing how different they were to the ones in the 20s.
He and Ned continued to hang out and eventually they could probably claim to have every set of Star Wars Lego if they put their collections together. Peter could tell that he still pondered what his nights were spent doing but he still didn't ask. Peter wasn't certain what he would do if he did.
Spiderman continued to make headlines but was mostly left alone. As long as he stayed in Queens, people didn't seem to really care what he did if it stayed inside the law. Although he wasn't sure if the Daily bugle received that message as they continued to slander him every which way.
One thing that did change was that he stopped listening to the news including them. He realised they were affecting how he worked, unknowingly managing him. Peter figured if he stopped listening he could go back to doing things his own way without being swayed by the public's opinion. Anything that he needed to know was mentioned by his classmates and May anyway.
However, he isn't sure if he can’t blame that choice for the predicament he seems to have found himself in.
He was coming home after school on Friday, excited because he planned to go out tonight as Spiderman and he had plans with Ned tomorrow. The Spanish test he completed the other day had come back as well and he had, of course, got a 100. Maybe it was slightly unfair seeing as he was already fluent in the language but he had to take one and the only other available was German. Peter spent years in a German base with Winter and knew the language like it was his mother tongue so he settled on Spanish.
When he walked through the door, he instantly identified two distinct heartbeats. One was Mays but the other unknown. It made him cautious, so he paused a minute to compose himself and listen closer for any sign of distress but all he could hear was the slurping of tea, though, so he walked into the living room, making sure to walk slightly clumsily to misdirect the person there in case.
What he saw round the corner made him freeze and close his eyes. He dearly hoped this wasn't real but when he opened them again, Tony stark was still sitting on his couch. Tony Stark was sitting on his couch eating dates. Tony Stark.
While with Hydra Peter had idolised Stark slightly because Hydra seemed so scared of him when he became Ironman and continued to when he got out. Not purely was Tony Star a superhero but he was, furthermore, a genius whose work was extraordinary. He and Doctor Banner were two of his idols.
It took a lot to try and hide the hero worship and instead start thinking analytically. He had tried to keep himself hidden from Stark but he knew it was a losing battle, eventually he would be discovered. Peter guessed at least Stark was more likely to keep quiet then some government official. Maybe, depending if he was mad about the guns from his first night out as Spiderman. There really wasn't any other reason for him to be here, Peter had never heard of him popping over for coffee with and other vigilantes aunts.
Stark and May both turned when they realized he was in the room and gave him smiles, Stark's more critical than May’s comforting and questioning one.
“Good afternoon Mr. Parker, so nice of you to join us.” His smile didn't give anything away.