Chapter 3
The next morning Peter woke up to an empty bed. The realization of the previous day came quickly. Peter immediately started crying again. Tony was in the kitchen with Pepper, drinking his coffee while looking at facilities for May. Friday’s voice interrupted him ‘Sir, you’ve asked me to let you know if Peter was distressed.’
‘Pep, I am gonna go check Peter.’ Pepper smiled at him and nodded.
Tony quickly went to Peter’s room after murmuring a thank you to Friday. Peter was on the balcony sitting on the floor. He approached to him ‘Hey Petey, you okay?’
‘Tony? Yeah…’ He wiped his tears away while Tony sat next to him.
‘You know…when I lost my parents, I was a mess. But it was my mother’s death that hit me the most. I didn’t have the best father. He was cold, distant never told me he loved me, never even said he liked me. But I know how much May loved you, and she did a pretty good job letting it be known. I mean she threatened me, Tony Stark.’ Peter smiled at the memory.
‘You have lots of happy memories with her, kid. I don’t mean to say you’re lucky but… At least there good memories that you can think of whenever you miss her. And, who knows maybe she will get better, it is not impossible. But, let’s just don’t cry like she is dead yet, alright?’
Peter nodded so Tony continued ‘I want you to be back to your usual self kiddo. We can arrange you a therapist, it helps. If you don’t want that you can always talk to me, don’t know how much help I would be. I don’t even know if this talk was beneficial.’
‘…you help. You always help.’ Tony smiled. ‘But how can I go back to normal? I haven’t even been Spiderman in weeks. I am failing Queens too.’
‘No one is pressuring you to get into the suit kid. Take your time. You have no obligations to anyone.’
‘But I do Tony. I think this much of a vocation is enough. I need to protect my city no matter what.’ Maybe it could also help him get his mind off of things for a while.
Tony sighed. ‘You are Spiderman, Peter. If you think you are ready to go out again, then I am not going to stop you. Just don’t rush it. And don’t forget, you’re the friendly neighborhood Spiderman, stick to small things.’
‘I know. Thanks Tony.’ He side hugged his mentor.
‘You’re welcome Underoos. Now, how about we go check out some centers for May. You know we have to find the best one for her, she has standards.’
‘How... there is also the issue of money.’ Peter said shyly.
‘Kid, you know who I am right?’ joked Tony before going back to his serious tone ‘Don’t worry about it. Come on Pepper is in the kitchen. She made you breakfast. I promise she is a better cook than I am.’
‘Pepper is here? Why?’ He didn’t want to say that. Stupid!
‘Why? I thought you liked her. Did something happen?’ Tony was shocked to hear the kid say that.
‘No, I’m sorry. It’s nothing really. I just feel like she could be mad at me…’ Peter could feel himself getting red. Why did he have to put himself in such situations?
‘Why in the world would she be mad at you?’
'She could think I am taking too much of his fiancée’s time. I mean ever since I came to live with you, you guys didn’t spent any alone time together. And whenever I try to leave you guys alone by going to my room you come after me.’
‘Oh that was why you kept leaving early when she is home.’ Tony laughed. This kid was too cute. ‘She is not mad at you kid. In fact, she loves you just as much as I do.’ Peter found it hard to believe but didn’t say anything. Together they went to kitchen.
Pepper put down his newspaper when he saw them coming in. ‘Good morning sweetheart. ‘She pulled him into a hug. ‘I’ve made you pancakes. I hope you like them.’ Pepper decided not to open the subject of his aunt again. She knows Peter doesn’t like to talk about it.
They sat down together and started to eat. Pepper spoke again ‘Tony I know it is not the right time but Norman Osborn is very persistent to meet with you. I don’t know how much longer I can put him off.’
The name Osborn caught Peter’s attention. ‘Why don’t you just tell him I don’t want see him? Simple as that. Problem solved.’ Tony couldn’t understand why Norman was so interested in seeing him all of a sudden.
‘You know I can’t do that, Tony. That is so rude. I am sorry but I will be arranging a meeting with him and you are going to attend to it.’ Pepper gave him a stern look. Tony knew there was no getting out of it now. ‘FINE.’
‘Don’t be a big baby.’ Peter laughed at that.
‘You think this is funny kid? Are you two teaming up against me now?’ Tony put on a fake hurt expression.
‘Maybe we are.’ Said a smirking Pepper.
After a long breakfast session, Tony and Peter left to find an appropriate center for May. They went through 6 of them until Peter seemed to feel more drawn to one. Of course the kid wasn’t able to love any of them. How could he? But with this one Peter at least joined Tony’s conversation with the workers and asked them questions.
‘Can you put daisies in her room…like all the time? She loves them.’ Peter thought May would feel better with her favorite flowers in her room.
The woman answered ‘We work with a flower shop that comes here every week. We can get daisies for your aunt.’ Tony stepped in.
‘No need. One week is too late. I will send fresh daisies for her every day. Just put them in her room.’ Peter was smiling a little. Another idea came into his mind ‘And can we color her room light lilac? She loves that color.’
Tony nodded but the woman had different ideas. ‘I am sorry but it is against our rules to change the room settings for anyone.’ Tony sighed. Just when the kid was getting less depressed, this woman had to ruin it. But she hasn’t met Tony Stark before.
‘Pete, why don’t you keep exploring the area and I will come find you after I speak with Mrs. Gordon.’ Peter nodded and went away. ‘Don’t go too far, kid!’ yelled Tony.
Peter knew Tony was going to convince the woman to let them do whatever they wish for her room. Normally, Peter wouldn’t like Tony doing this. But this wasn’t for himself, it was for May. He went to the garden area and watched the old people in wheel chairs pushed by nurses. Would they also do this to May? Was that possible? Peter hoped so. May would love this garden, full of flowers. He sighed and took his phone out. There were lots of messages from both Ned and Harry. He opened Harry’s first. He only read the last one.
Hey Peter. I am worried about you. Call me when you’re free.
He decided to call him while he waited for Tony’s return. Harry picked up on the first ring.
‘Peter? I have texted you a dozen times. Are you okay?’ Peter was getting closer to Harry every day.
‘No. Yesterday I learned my aunt was in vegetative state. It means-‘
Harry cut in ‘I know what it is. Happened to my grandpa a few years ago. I am sorry. Where are you? I can come.’
‘No need. I am with Tony.’ He saw Tony walking towards him. ‘Gotta go. I will call you later.’ He hang up and put his phone back in his pocket, forgetting Ned’s messages. ‘Are we done here?’
‘Yeah, I guess we are. What do you? You think May will like here with our little arrangements.’ Tony winked at the last part.
‘I think so. And its location is also easier for me to come by myself. But this one is the most expensive one, Tony. Are you sure it’s worth it?’ The kid was always sensitive on the subject of money.
‘Did not hear you say that.’ He threw his arms around the kids shoulder and they walked to the car together. ‘Wanna go to cinema?’
Peter smiled ‘Sure.’ Tony loved to see the kid smile.
Everything was great until they came out of the theatre and saw all the reporters waiting for them.
He put on his sunglasses on Peter and wrapped him in his arms. ‘Just try to keep up with my pace, okay Pete?’ He nodded.
Peter wasn’t used to this. He was used to being a nobody.
‘Mr. Stark, is that true you have a secret kid?’
‘Who is the baby mama Mr. Stark?’
‘Did you do a paternity test?’ Tony kept getting more irritated with each question. Thankfully they reached the car before he did something reckless.
He quickly drove off ‘I am so sorry Peter. I should have seen that coming. Fuck- Sorry.’ Tony sighed. ‘I will try to keep it down as much as possible but eventually they will learn everything.’
‘It is fine Mr. Stark. I knew this would happen one day.’
‘You are too good for me kid.’
Friday spoke through the speakers of the car ‘Boss, Ms. Potts is calling you. Should I put her on speaker?’
‘Go ahead, Fri.’
‘Tony, where have you been? I have been calling you for an hour.’ Tony could tell Pepper was frustrated with him.
‘I went to cinema with Peter. We are now on our way back. When are you coming? I am thinking Thai food for dinner. What do you say Pete?’
‘Sure.’ Answered Peter.
‘Well I am sorry to ruin your plans but Tony you and I will be at a restaurant with Norman for dinner.’ Peter felt his heartbeat quicken. He hated eating dinner alone. It was an old habit. A childish scare he
had. He knew that but still couldn’t stop the bad feeling in him.
‘Noo. Why do you hate me Pep?’ He turned to the kid ‘Is this okay for you? I can always not go if you don’t feel comfortable.’ He whispered the rest saying ‘Don’t worry about Pepper I can handle her.’
‘I heard that.’ Damn…
‘It is fine Mr. Stark. You have already dismissed a lot of your work because of me. I will be fine. Maybe I can meet with my friends. I mean if that is okay with you.’
‘Of course, kid. I will drop you of wherever you nerds hang out at.’ Peter texted Ned asking if he was available. The answer came quickly: ‘Sorry Peter I am visiting my grandmother with my mother
tonight.’ Peter quickly replied saying that it’s okay before texting Harry. Thankfully Harry agreed to meet with him.
‘Great. Where do you wanna meet at?’
His answer was not what Peter expected. ‘Why don’t we hang out at the compound?’ Why would Harry want that? He didn’t want to ask Tony but he also didn’t want to risk being alone. ‘Tony, would it be okay if I were to invite my friend to the compound. I would feel safer there you know with no reporters and all.’
‘Yeah makes sense. But do not go wandering where you shouldn’t.’ He nodded and texted back to Harry.
Harry arrived at the compound half an hour after Tony left. Friday informed him on his arrival.
‘Peter, your friend is at the gates. Should I let him in?’ Peter approved it and the gates opened for Harry. He was checking out the environment in detail when he heard a noise coming from the ceiling,
Friday’s voice.
‘Hello, Mr. Osborn. Peter is waiting for you in the living room. Please step into the elevator and I will take you to him.’
‘Cool. I want one.’
---
Peter and Harry spend a considerable amount of their time playing video games and eating pizza. When their current game ended Harry pushed the controller away ‘I am bored. Let’s do something else.’
‘Sure. Do you want to play with Legos?’
Legos? Does Peter think he is 10 or something? ‘No, not really. How about we do something more exciting than that, like maybe checking Mr. Stark’s lab?’
‘I don’t think that is a good idea. He can get mad.’
‘Oh come on Peter. We won’t be doing anything serious. Maybe we can try out some of the formulas we learned in chemistry.’
Peter thought about it for a second. What could go wrong with a little high school level science experiment? ‘Okay.’ They stepped into the elevator. ‘Friday, take us to Tony’s lab, please.’
‘I am afraid I am currently unavailable to that, Peter. Boss has restricted your entrance for the day.’
Harry didn’t let Peter say anything ‘How about his office?’ Peter was confused now.
‘Boss’s office is also restricted from entrance.’
Harry saw the suspicious look on Peter’s face. ‘I thought it would be funny to pretend to be in our dads.’
‘Tony is not my dad.’
‘Right, sorry.’ This night was not going as Peter wished it would. And the same goes for Tony too.
Tony, Pepper and Norman have been ‘casually’ eating dinner as if they were three friends. And that got on Tony’s nerve. Why was Norman acting nice towards him now? ‘Are we coming to the point of this meeting anytime soon?’ He couldn’t bear the fake smiles anymore.
‘Tony!’ warned Pepper.
Norman chuckled ‘It’s okay Pepper, it’s just good old Tony huh?’
Tony could throw up right now. ‘I am listening?’ Would this guy get to the point already?
‘Well I just thought with our sons becoming friends, w-maybe we could also give each other another ch-
‘Peter is friends with your son? Since when?’ Even Pepper was confused to hear this. They both knew Norman’s son, he wasn’t like Peter.
‘Didn’t your son tell you? Harry is attending to Midtown high now. They met there.’
This couldn’t get weirder. ‘Your son is going to a public school? What are you after Norman?’
Pepper’s eyes grew. ‘Tony, stop it.’
‘I just thought it would be good for him to step away from the public school to see other aspects of life.’ Said Norman innocently.
‘That is a great idea Norman. It will be good for Harry I’m sure. And Peter is a great kid, they can learn so much from each other.’ Said Pepper in a kind voice.
Right, there was nothing his Peter could learn from Norman’s son.
‘Yeah. Anyways it’s getting late I should go now. Oh and thank you for letting Harry come to the compound Tony. I am sure they had so much fun.’
Tony clenched his fist and Pepper put her hand on his fist to calm him down. ‘It was nice to see you Norman.’
When Norman finally left Tony jumped from his seat ‘We’re leaving Pepper.’ His voice was hard. Pepper decided not to say anything and just followed him.
---
Peter was alone by the time they reached to home. ‘Did your little friend leave already?’
Peter heard them walking down thanks to his heightened senses but was still startled by the tone of Tony’s voice. ‘He did. Did I do something?’
‘No, and that is the problem. Why didn’t you tell Harry Osborn started your school?’ Pepper put her hand on his arm whispering for him to calm down.
‘I..I didn’t know you would want me to.’ Peter’s voice was small now.
‘Well I did. I don’t want you seeing him anymore.’ Tony left without giving Peter time to answer.
Pepper sighed and sat next to Peter. ‘Honey, don’t be sad he is not really mad at you. You know how he is sometimes. How about I make you hot chocolate and you can tell me about this new friend of yours’ Peter nodded. He was confused. But at least Ms. Potts wasn’t mad at him.
---
Norman sat in the dark waiting for his son to come in. Norman despised Tony, there was no denying it. But that wasn’t the real reason he was trying to get close. No. He was after something bigger.
A few weeks ago, during their annual cleaning session in which they get rid of unneeded data, one of the securities noticed a weird event taking place. A high school kid that came with his school was seen
with one of their experiment spiders. The footage wasn’t clear enough to actually see the spider biting the kid, he was still able to conclude that. So Norman put two and two together. The realized the
spiderman appeared after the accident took place. This was his research outcome, he has to see what that kid is capable of, what are the biological effects?
He was going to get that kid no matter what. He lit himself another cigarette when the door opened revealing Harry’s nervous face.
‘I’m listening. What did you learn?’
Harry gulped. ‘Nothing, sir. There was an A.I. that kept us from going anywhere significant..’
Norman shot a piercing look in Harry’ direction. ‘I told you this could be your only chance to be in that building and you managed to blow it. And I had to deal with Stark’s big head to gain you time. What a son you are.’
‘I know father. I am so sorry. I will be working harder. I will gain Peter’s trust.’ Harry felt as this was the only way his father could love him. After his mother’s death, Norman became colder than he used to be. Harry had to change that.
‘You better. This is your last chance.’ He took a big sip from his whiskey. ‘Leave now.’