I Can’t Risk Another Goodbye Part 2
“Finish the textbook pages and enjoy your long weekend!”
Peter’s teacher yelled to the students filing out the door. Ned grabbed on to his backpack, trying not to be separated. Peter pushed his way through the crowded hallways, heading toward their lockers.
He put in his combination and began emptying his locker.
“What are you doing this weekend?”
“I’m going to Mr.Starks. May wants me to.”
“When was the last time you went? It was before Boston right?”
Peter squeezed his eyes shut, trying not to think of Boston. It had been a simple mission. Get the bad guys and get out. Simple. Then the bad guys pulled out a bomb and brought down the building. Peter had to watch it go down, knowing his teammates were inside. He had to watch, helpless. It took an hour before they got everyone out. Tony was the last one they found, unconscious and bloody. Everyone survived and Mr.Stark was fine but Peter couldn’t get that picture out of his head. He couldn’t get the sinking feeling, the thought of Mr.Stark being dead, out of his gut.
“You good?”
Peter gave a shrug and nodded,” I just haven’t had a reason to go. What about you? What are you doing?”
“My parents want us to bond. We’re going to some retreat place with a ropes course. Do they think this,” Ned motioned to his face,” clear, baby like skin, was meant for the outdoors?”
Peter laughed, “I bet you’ll enjoy it. I’d kill to go the lake.”
“Wanna trade spots?”
“I don’t think May would be too happy with me. Speaking of Happy, I gotta go dude.”
“Ok enjoy the weekend. Text me!”
The pair waved before walking in separate directions, each heading to a different exit.
As Peter walked out his door, a large crowd was gathering around it. He struggled to push through the bodies, ignoring the whispers of al the students. It was probably a fight and Peter needed to walk the block to where Happy parked. As he reached the front of the crowd, he stood still. Then he groaned.
A bright orange sports car that probably costed more than his yearly rent, was parked right in front, and leaning on said car, was Tony Stark. Arms crossed with sunglasses covering his face, the students weren’t sure what to do. They couldn’t have known why the billionaire was at their school, but Peter did.
Now Peter had two choices. Try to skate by unnoticed, or risk humiliation. No one would believe Tony Stark was picking him up without something dirty going on. He wished Ned was here.
Peter took a deep breath, realizing how mad May would be if he skipped. He started walking forwards, slipping past the two or three people in from of him. Once he was free and began to walk directly towards Mr.Stark, who was looking at some piece of tech Peter didn’t recognize.
“Hey Penis what do you think you’re doing?” An arm grabbed Peter’s, dogging it’s nails into it. Peter met Flash’s eyes and tried to free himself, but Flash just held on tighter, “Tony Stark doesn’t have time for dweebs like you. Give up the lie.”
“Flash let me go.”
“Why? You’re just walking home to your lonely aunt. Who cares if she loses another family member.”
Peter’s hand started shaking. May was where he drew the line.
Just before he hit Flash so hard he’d wish Peter had died, a voice spoke up, “what’s going on here?”
The teens turned to see Mr.Stark staring at them, no longer looking relaxed. His fist were balled and his face was tight, looking at Flash with daggers.
Flash seemed to stumble on his words, “Um nothing sir. This kid was just going to bother you and a man of your stature shouldn’t be bothered by scholarship kids like Parker.”
Tony moved until he was right beside Peter and put his arm around his shoulders. “I’ll let you know that Peter here is my personal intern and has a hand in many products that you use everyday and certain weapons used by The Avengers.”
Flash shrunk back, the color drawing so fast in his face it was almost comical. Peter kept a straight face, not enjoying the eyes of his classmates on him.
Mr.Stark held on firm to Peter and led him to the car, leaving him to open the passenger door while tony got in the other side. As they drove off, Peter didn’t look back to see Flash standing in the center of the crowd, already finding a way to spin the story.
As traffic got the best of them, the pair sat in the car, an awkward silence sitting uncomfortably between them.
Eventually Tony cleared his throat, “who was that? Not a friend of yours I assume.”
Peter shrugged,” it’s just Flash. He’s a dick.”
Tony laughed, “yeah. I guessed that much.” He looked over at the teen beside him, Peter’s face hidden since he was focused on something outside the window. “I didn’t do anything at first because I thought you could handle it. I mean? You’re a super hero and all. Stepped in when you looked like you were about to kill him.”
Peter didn’t respond. He was a superhero. He should be able to deal with a petty bully. Pathetic.
“Ok. How about some music?”
“Sure.”
Tony turned on the speaker and drummed on the steering wheel, searching for something to fill the air. “Are you good kid?”
Peter opened his mouth to answer, but he stopped. The hair on his neck stood up, a feeling of dread overcoming him.
“Peter you look white as paper.”
Peter looked around, searching for a cause,”somethings wrong.”
Peter turned just in time to see a bright orange car run the red light. To drive straight forward. To hit them, the cars colliding in a sound of scraping metal.
Peter heard someone scream, but he didn’t know who. It could’ve been him. He braced for impact, watching the events unfold in slow motion. A suit assembled around Peter and turned him away from the drivers side, away from the shattered glass. He tumbled from the car, rolling out into the street beside them. Voices called out all around him, all jumbling together into one constant attack on his ears.
Peter laid flat ok his back, the suit not allowing him to curl up as he wanted. Suddenly everything went silent. The H.U.D. went dark, only vitals showing in the corner.
A familiar voice spoke. “Sensory overload protocol enacted,” Friday’s soft voice whispered in his ear.
Peter shut his eyes despite the darkness, trying to gather his thoughts. The car. The pavement. The suit. Tony. Where was Tony? Peter couldn’t see him. Was he okay? What if something happened? Why couldn’t Peter protect him? Why was he so useless? Why-
“Hey kid! Kid! I need you to listen to me. Fri is putting me through the mask but I need to take it off. There’s gonna be a lot noise. Can you hear me?”
Mr.Stark. That was Mr.Stark. He sounded okay. He could still be hurt though. He could be wasting time on Peter. Peter was fine. He needed to show it in case Mr.Stark needed help. He knew the inventor wouldn’t leave if Peter was hurt.
He nodded as much as he could in the suit. The light filtered back into the mask, as did the voices. They weren’t screaming but everything was amplified still.
The helmet retracted into the rest of the suit, a hand catching his head before it hit the pavement.
“Hey underoos, are you okay?”
Peter opened up his eyes, tears pooling in each. He looked at Tony, a suit around him, no blood. He looked okay.
“Mr.Stark? Are you hurt?”
Tony snorted, rubbing his forehead with his free hand, “jeez kid you just got hit and tumbled twenty feet and you’re asking me?”
“The car hit you first.”
“I’ve been through worse. Again, are you okay?”
Peter nodded, squeezing his eyes shut again, still not used to the light. His head hurt, the only thing he could focus on was Mr.Stark. His voice was steady and calm. Peter tried but he could still hear the heartbeat of everyone around him. He could hear their voices. They clawed at his skull like daggers. Peter put his hands over his ears, trying to stop it all. Trying anything.
Strong hands held on to his own, keeping them away from his head, “kid you’re gonna pull out your hair. Listen to me. Now that I know you’re ok and responsive, I need you to look at me. Just me.”
Peter just shook his head. He could feel every vibration of the pavement, every footstep.
Tony turned to the crowd gathered around them and shouted, “everyone be quiet and don’t move for five fucking minutes!”
The crowd went silent as Tony looked back at Peter who had winced when he yelled, “hey pete,” he tried to speak as softly and quietly as he could, knowing Peter would hear him either way,” I’m sorry. I know that probably hurt. I’m trying to help you but I don’t know what you need. Can you please look at me?”
There were still whispers and noises all around, but the shouting had disappeared. Peter’s heart rate slowed until the vibrations didn’t bother him. The teen turned to face Mr.Stark, obvious relief spreading across the older mans expression.
“I’m sorry.”
“If I hear you say that one more time we have a problem.” Tony smiled reassuringly.
Peter tried his best to return it.
Suddenly a flash of lights surrounded them.
Mr.Stark looked up at source, a look of annoyance overcoming him, ”geez these people have no morals. Ok kid I’m gonna close the mask so they don’t get your face.”
As he said that, the face formed back around Peter and Mr.Starks hand left his head. Any remaining sound was drowned out, only one voice entering the speakers.
“Ok I’m gonna have Fri fly you back to the compound and I’ll be close behind. Don’t worry, you won’t have to do a thing. Fri?”
“Yes boss?”
“Activate stroller protocol.”
“God Mr.Stark, why do you name these so terribly.”
Peter heard Mr.Stark laugh,” so I can get assured you can say more than ‘I’m sorry’.”
The suit left the ground, silent to Peter. He wouldn’t have known if he wasn’t seeing the ground shrink beneath him.
“Ready Mr.Parker?”
“Yes Friday.”