Chapter 7
Chapter seven
Happy continued, keeping the divide up for the remainder of the drive. The name sounded like one Stark would give just to be funny. It definitely was, there was no way his parents were that cruel.
They were meant to be meeting Stark and some others at an airport where they'd then take a jet. It made Peter nervous. Private jets were not unknown to him, but he hadn't ever actually got to focus on the experience before, he was either too tied up or too drugged up. It was also an area he had neglected in his studies, something he was coming to regret presently. The most knowledge he had was how to operate one.
Since he ran, he wouldn't use anything if he didn't understand the mechanics of or if he couldn't be sure there wasn't anything that could go wrong with it. The worries were lessened slightly when his brain helpfully supplied him with the fact that this was a Stark plane. It was likely of the best quality and even if something went wrong he reckoned that Stark would be able to fix it.
With a breath he calmed himself relishing that the car was slowing. Out the window he could spot Stark, Colonel James Rhodes, Natasha Romanov and some other guy. The latter one wasn't someone he recognised, this meant he was either relatively new or extremely secretive. There's no way Hydra wouldn't have had him study him if they'd known.
Romanov, Black Widow, was also someone he had to watch himself with. She was the most likely to realize who he was and Peter was under no assumptions that she would keep it a secret without significant payment. He would have to overplay his behavior to seem more childish. All those from the Red Room had a soft spot for kids. It had something to do with sympathising, but Peter couldn't remember all the way back to when he studied them.
When they did finally stop Happy opened the divider only to shut it again with only a glance. “You are so lucky this car is blacked out Parker!”
“What?’ He was genuinely bewildered.
A sigh could be heard from happy, “The case next to you, it has the new suit Tony made for you. Unless you want everyone to identify who you are, get changed.”
Peter did feel a little stupid for not realising, Stark had said he would make him a new suit after all. However, when he opened it, he couldn't help but feel a little overwhelmed. The material was hard and protective yet sooth and unrestrictive. Each colour was more vibrant than the original, the spider across his chest even more accurate and intricate. It was astonishing. He would have to thank Stark on the jet.
No more time was squandered as he quickly slipped the suit on only to be even more amazed. Stark had taken in everything he had said and implemented it into the suit. The material was softer and more secure around his wrists while also being extra protective, made specifically with his sensitive wrists in mind. The eyes also seemed to be manufactured to suit the sensitivity of his eyes. It was probably the first time in years he could open his eyes without the pain he usually pushed to the back of his mind. Anything Stark needed in return for this was worth it, even if he had to fight Captain America himself.
“Done?” The annoyed voice of Happy brought him back and soon the door next to him was being opened. He stepped out with a quiet thank you to Happy for the ride before turning to the others. Romanov was staring judgmentally at him. He assumed Stark hadn't told them he was presumably a child from the looks of twin suspicion on her and the strangers face.
“Good to see you again Mr. Stark! Are you doing good?” His enthusiasm was genuine. He'd come to quite like Stark even with the minimum contact they'd had.
“I'm good, kid. Are you ready?”
“Yeah I’m good to go, never really experienced a private jet, though.”
“Do not worry about it. It's all perfectly safe. Anyway, everyone, this is Spiderman,” He pointed to Peter who gave them all an enthusiastic wave, none of them seemed very impressed, “and Spidey, this is Black Widow, Iron Patriot/War machine and of course the mighty Black Panther, King of Wakanda.” That last one was a surprise, it looked like the Wakandans had been keeping secrets.
“You brought a kid into the fight?” It was Romanov that voiced the question but he could sense that they were all underestimating him. There was also a bit of mocking there.
“Have I done something to agitate you, Ms. Romanov?” He put on his most mature voice, allowing some threat to leak through. She seemed to startle and evaluate him again, seeming him as more of a threat. Hopefully, he’d never have to show her his full potential, but he couldn't have the people on his side underestimating him too much. The plan to act more childish was washed away then. He couldn't have that happening.
Stark appeared to be surprised at his tone as well, but brushed it off quick enough for Peter not to be concerned, before turning around and beckoning the others to follow him. Peter followed close behind, giving the impression of a lost puppy but straitened when he passed the spy. “You should know better than to underestimate people Mrs. Romanov, it gets you killed.” Her eyes widened slightly but Peter just continued walking.
Maybe it wasn't the smartest move but it was the first time in forever that he was meeting an opponent that he may struggle with. Peter would win, he was sure. He’d meticulously studied her fight patterns whereas he was certain she hadn't done the same. Anyone that had studied him and also possessed such intense spy skills would have known who he was the moment they met.
It was unfortunate they wouldn't be fighting. He doubted the person he would be was as talented as her.
On the jet he took a seat in the corner, near Stark but not close enough to be suffocating. It was also away from the others so that was helpful. All of them but Stark were still eyeing him wearily but Peter just stared back at them until they gave up.
Stark went over the plan as soon as they were all sat. Peter was disappointed to find he didn't have much to do and was practically ordered to the sidelines. He’d obey though and only interrupt if he deemed it needed or was called on by someone. It was good to finally be aware of what they were doing, they'd be against the other Avengers that had run away from the Accords.
The thought that he might get to fight Captain America negated almost all the resent he had for being unable to fight Romanov.
The rest of the ride was peaceful with him leaning back in his chair and questioning Stark on the mechanics of the plane. They were intricate and enough to distract him especially when Stark brought out the blueprints from the cockpit. The others gave him odd looks, obviously not used to seeing someone get on so easily with Stark.
It was about three hours, so he had a small nap in the middle. If he knew anything it was that fighting while tired was not a good idea. It made you sloppy and clumsy. When he woke, he just relaxed until it was time to land. The feeling of going down was discombobulating, but he dealt, the suit seemed to protect his sensitive ears as well.
Peter was directed to stay round a corner until Stark shouted for him, Peter had argued at the signal for a bit before ultimately giving in. Once Stark gave you a nickname it didn't seem like something you could change. It was better than Honeybear which he had heard the colonel referred to as multiple times by Stark. Small victories.
He could hear the whole conversation as soon as it started. There seemed to be a lot of mixed messages involved, and Peter couldn't help but be exasperated. Their issues probably could've been solved if they had just sat down and spoke about their issues instead of starting what he had dubbed a Civil War.
When he was finally called, the shout from Stark, “Underoos!” made him cringe slightly but he was quick to get over it. He jumped over the Captain’s head, grabbing his shield with a web as he went before flipping onto an empty container. Stark was quick to praise him and it felt nice for someone to appreciate his efforts so his thanks were genuine.
The Captain caught his attention quickly, though, and he was quick to start praising it. Men like Cap would be less likely to hurt you if they thought you to be innocent and naive.
Then Cap just had to go and stick his hands in the air, which seemed to be some sort of signal, as Hawkeye instantly shot an arrow between them to break the webbing. Peter was angry at that but became pissed when he was suddenly kicked in the face by some sort of growing man. One minute he was teeny and the next he was as tall as the Captain. Peter didn't even want to know how that worked.
Captain America then proceeds to start flinging the shield around and Iron Patriot retaliates just as viciously. It had been a while since he had gotten to witness a good fight and it was intriguing to watch as the two once friends fought. They were ruthless, not articulate caring what damage they did to the other.
Peter couldn't stay long though as Stark was quick to shout down the com with a reminder of what his job was. He swang up to where he knew two others were waiting. The glass shattered over the floor and he overheard someone he recognized as the Falcon call him a gimmick. Which is rather insulting, especially seeing as he literally built himself a pair of wings.
He forced that down and continued his pursuit of the tow. The Falcon was webbed up pretty quickly but when he turned to do the other he froze.
Peter’s suit mustn't be recognizable enough as laying below him was Winter, completely clueless as to who he was.
This wasn't a situation they had planned for.
Peter was hit with a wave of dizziness, realising that he was probably Buck Barnes, Steve Rodgers best friend. He didn't know what to do. They'd never really been on opposite sides before. It didn't really matter, though, no matter what he might think of the situation he would do anything for Winter, even if it meant joining a side he didn't agree with.
At least he was sure that Bucky Barnes hadn't blown up that meeting, Winter had always been against hurting innocence. If he still was Winter, he had people from before now so maybe he wasn't. Maybe he wasn't his Winter, his brother anymore. Why would he want a memory of HYDRA when he could have Rodgers, America’s golden boy?
He had to know, if he was wrong then there was a chance they could be brothers again. If he knew Winter then he did truly believe he mustn't be here with all the information. He had always believed that heroes like the Avengers needed to be monitored more carefully.
With a shake of his head, he realised how stupid he had been. Winter had never studied Captain America. They were always Peter's private lessons; he never even considered why.
When he looked up, Winter was still looking at him curiously, having noted his lack of violence, with his friend tied up beside him.
Unsteady hands gripped the bottom of his mask, and he heard Winter pull in a shallow breath and sit up, intrigued. Both their eyes widened when they looked at each other and tears started to develop. Their first words were synchronised, a hoarse whisper of the words they had promised decades ago.
“Всегда брат”