Chapter 12
Peter woke to the somewhat familiar sound of a plane engine, and he didn't think the moment of panic he faced was really unjust. He wasn't used to waking up somewhere he hadn't fallen asleep, nor was he likely to fall asleep anywhere he may be vulnerable to attack. Therefore, when he awoke and instantly rolled off the soft surface he had been laying on into a fighting stance; it took him a couple of breaths and glances around to null the panic rising within him. He got over it quickly enough, eyes landing on Stark who he was pretty sure had been the soft surface he’d been laying on.
“Uh, hi? I’m sorry for, you know, jumping up like that. Not used to waking up on planes.” After a second of thought, he added, “Well, at least not while lucid.” For some reason the thought made him want to laugh but a look around at the somber faces of the others told him that wasn't really appropriate. He disregarded them and turned back to Stark who just raised an eyebrow at him slightly. “So, what are we doing?” It was directed at everyone but again it was Stark that took the lead.
“We made a deal.” The serious tone to his voice as he pointed at the others and then back to himself had Peter straightening his back and listening intently. “Well, kinda. Basically, I am going to provide them with everything they need to stay hidden — and I’m hoping you’ll help out a little with technique — and in return, I get their silence. If they are ever found, no matter the situation, they are not to include either of their names in describing how they got away. If asked, we fought, they ran and that was the last we knew of them.” Stark looked at him imploringly, a question in his eyes. It felt nice to be considered, to be treated as if his ideas had merit and his opinions mattered.
Slowly he bobbed his head, already probing his mind for every technique that he believed could be useful. The process wasn't that difficult, only around a year ago he had had to do the same thing for himself, it's more adapting the ideas to suit a group rather than just himself. A group lacking him.
Ultimately he was pulled out by the guy with the bow and arrow, Clint, his mind supplied, coughing deliberately into his hand. The gesture was rude yet insignificant so he chose to let it go. Turning to Stark, after a slight glare at Clint, he presented every technique that came to mind and how it could be implemented in this situation. From the corner of his eye, he could see the others, including Romanov, with taken aback looks on their faces, they clearly hadn't been expecting him to be so competent, no matter his past. They seemed to be having trouble with perceiving him as more than an adolescent boy.
“Good job, Pete.” He smiled brightly before turning away and towards the others. “The plan is to implement some of Pete’s ideas and mingle them with mine. While I get you sorted physically, Pete here — if he's agreeable — can get you covered digitally. Try editing any footage from earlier, make it look like we had a real rough fight. Also, try to cover our current footprint. We don't want anyone tracking us by plane.” Stark paused and aimed a look at him, verifying if it was okay, to which he nodded.
“That's okay with me, sir, but - uhh, you're gonna have to give me access to your suit and stuff if that's what you want.” Peter thought it was necessary to add in case Stark had some other plan, he didn't want to be invading the man’s privacy. When the man nodded and smiled, he couldn't help but feel elated at the trust he was being given. He hadn't expected it after everything had been revealed.
Tony turned back to the Rogues after that but Peter could feel he still kept an eye on him, “While the kid does that, I’m gonna a guy I trust to go check out one of my safe houses, just to stock it and stuff. It's bigger enough and remote enough for you to live comfortable until I get the accord mess sorted out. Everyone, capiche?” Nods and even a few ‘yes, sirs’ rounded the room and Peter held back a snort. It was amusing to watch a bunch of grown adults be so respectful to Stark. It reminded him of parents buying their kids toys to negate any negative feeling the child held towards them.
It was all relatively relaxed after that. Stark had FRIDAY running something but other than that was just conversing with Rhodes, occasionally looking towards Peter. The only real interruption they had was when a few minutes after the plan had been laid out, Romanov asked a question, “This guy you‘trust’, how can you be sure?” If the heads that came up at that were any indication, that was evidently something they were all curious about.
Further proof of that was when they all looked thoroughly unimpressed at Stark's mumbled answer of ‘money instead of loyalty’ but Peter solely thought it was sad. No one should have to rely on money to ensure loyalty.
After this, the plane stayed mostly quiet, only the clocking of Peter’s fingers on a computer as he did what he needed to do. It was a complicated process but luckily for him and the others, he had experience with hiding from entire governments. The information he had access to also gave him an idea to get the Rogues back to the States and pardoned but decided to hold off on telling him while in the company of others.
The companionable silence continued until they were interrupted by FRIDAY informing them of their incoming landing. Everyone sat up at the announcement and Peter followed their lead and did up his seat belt. He could feel the plane descend and was confused as to why it felt different from when they did so in Germany but put it down to the climate difference from wherever they currently were.
He flinched when his ears popped but composed himself quickly enough that he was sure no one noticed.
As he finally reached the ground, he felt relieved at finally being on the ground and suddenly realized that he might have a slight fear of planes. It was ridiculous to think about, but he couldn't come up with any other reason that he might be so affected, unless it was his senses.
It was due to this newfound possible revelation that he earned startled looks from the others when he practically jumped out his seat. In embarrassment he breathed out a high, “Sorry.” before waiting for them to exit first and then following along.
The place was remote, just like Stark had said, but he wasn't quite convinced it would fit four people. It looked to purely be a modest cabin, likely large enough to only fit a single bed in an almost definitely not comfortably. Stark must have seen the horrified yet questioning looks on their face as he took pity on them and explained.
“You can all relax, okay? I’m not gonna leave you in some one bedroomed cabin - I can only imagine how awkward that would be. Its would be a foolish decision to buy a huge house when the whole point of a safe house is to stay of the radar. Instead, I brought a small house and, after a bit of not so legal building, it’s a perfect place to hide away.” The smile Stark wore was mocking but it made Peter want to laugh, especially seeing the exasperated expressions around him.
“Just take us in, Tony.” Cap cut himself off with a sigh obviously tired from the day and Stark was wise enough to notice his patience didn't have much more room for jokes. Instead, he moved to the door before stepping back and ushered them all inside.
“Welcome home, Cap”