Chapter 19
Their semi-relaxing visit ends abruptly when Peter hears a key in the lock. May doesn’t seem to really notice, but Peter is on high alert now. He hears John’s footsteps enter the apartment and stop. He turns around, he can’t help it, and he and John make eye contact. John’s face doesn’t change for a moment, but then he smiles and greets him, “Peter!”
“Hi.”
“Hey honey,” May greets John.
“I can’t believe you’re here, such a surprise,” John says, still smiling at him.
“He saw me on the street and I invited him back,” May explains.
“Wow, it feels like normal now that you’re back, eh Pete?”
“Oh, I’m not staying, I just came for a visit.” Peter says, trying not to say the wrong thing.
“Oh, why not? I mean, you just left for a bit of space, right? Well, we had it.”
Peter doesn’t know how to respond and feels himself starting to panic. John is right, he did leave so that he and John could have some space. He remembers May telling Pepper on the phone that it would be good for Peter to stay away for a bit. He doesn’t know how to respond to John because it’s true. They did have some space for a bit, and John seems less ‘stressed from work’ as May told Pepper. Why isn’t he back? He feels confused again, like he did when he came to get some of his things to bring to the tower. But then he remembers Tony sticking up for him, and then comforting him in the car after. May and John never did that for him, in May’s case at least not in a long time. Before, he would have just agreed with John and stayed, but doesn’t want to. He doesn’t know anything beyond that, just that he wants Tony right now. He stands and sets his cup on the side table.
“I actually should be getting back now,” he says and is surprised by how level and confident his voice sounds.
“Already?” May says, sounding disappointed.
“C’mon Pete, you don’t really want to cause such a fuss, do you? We would love to have you back here.”
“No. I’m going back.”
“Peter-” May starts.
“No, May,” John interrupts, “if Peter wants to go back he can. I know it’s upsetting, but he can make his own choices.”
Peter doesn’t know why John is acting so nice, he even looks sad that he’s going. He looks at May and sees a deep frown on her face.
“I’ll miss you a lot Peter,” she says, sounding terribly sad.
“I’ll see you again, May. It’s not like I’m leaving forever or anything, I’m just going back for right now, okay?” She nods in response, but won’t look at him. “Okay, I’m gonna go now, bye.” Peter waits for May to look back at him, but she stays turned away. He walks to the front door and shuts it behind him. He feels terrible, as if he’s done something truly and horribly wrong to hurt May. He doesn’t think about it long, though, because all he wants is to see Tony and Pepper again. He just wants to be wrapped up in a hug by them and not have to think about anything else.
He pulls his phone out of his pocket and calls Tony. He picks up on the second ring, “Hey Pete, what’s up? Having fun with Ned?”
“Can you please pick me up?”
Something in his voice must alarm Tony because his voice goes completely serious, “I’m leaving now. Are you okay?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay, did something happen?”
“I don’t know. I just want to go back to the tower.”
“Okay, well that I can do. Where do you want me to pick you up?”
“The apartment.”
It’s silent for a second on Tony’s side, then: “Okay. I’ll be there soon.”
Peter expected more questioning, but is glad when Tony doesn’t mention it. He doesn’t think he’d be able to answer any of his questions at the moment anyways.
He waits outside, and is relieved when he sees Tony pull up. Peter gets in and looks down. He feels bad, going to the apartment where John still lives when he knows how Tony feels about him, and then calling Tony asking him to pick him up there. He expects Tony to be mad at him, but Tony just puts a hand on his shoulder and waits for Peter to look at him. When he does, all he sees is a face full of concern.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah. I’m sorry.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for, Peter. Do you want to talk?”
He shakes his head, “It’s okay, really. I just want to go back to the tower.”
“Okay, bud.” Tony seems unsure if he should ask more questions, but decides not to and puts the car in drive.
When they get out of the car, Peter walks over to Tony and wraps his arms around him. Tony seems surprised at first, but then quickly hugs him back, rubbing circles on his back. In Tony’s arms, Peter doesn’t know how he could have ever considered going back and living with John. He has everything he needs right here.
He knows he’ll miss May and living with her, but all he wants right now is to stay in the tower with Tony.