Humans are weird
Tony woke up with sore arms. He groaned as he wanted to lift them and they ached like hell, apparently his little guest had been a little too heavy for him.
The genius rolled to his side groaning again before getting up, “ugh Jarvis give me an update how is the boy?” He stretched a little before putting on some loose pyjama pants. He liked sleeping nude.
“Master Peter is still sleeping Sir and I cannot detect a noticeable difference in his vital signs in comparison to yesterday.”
Tony nodded letting out a yawn as he patted out of his bedroom and towards the kitchen. It was one in the afternoon and he knew he hadn’t slept enough but that was nothing a good coffee could fix.
He brewed himself a cup taking a large sip once it was finished. With a blissful moan he turned and walked out onto the balcony.
The sea was calm as was the surface of the pool and as Tony carefully stepped closer; he spotted his very own merman. The boy lay curled up on the floor of the pool, his tail bent and his arms around his…knee?
Tony watched him for a while with a fond smile; he was one hell of a cute fish. Taking another sip he walked past the pool and to the banister to watch the waves below.
Peter was only dozing as Tony stepped out on the balcony. When the boy woke an hour prior he had hoped that everything had just been a bad dream but once he had peeked around he knew it had all been real.
He heard Tony walking up to the pool and then away. Peter used the opportunity to slowly rise and peek out of the water. Tony’s back was turned to Peter and he was glad about that, it gave him time to think and to admire the man’s backside. Tony was bare to the hips and Peter took in every inch of the toned skin noticing the muscles that came from real physical work.
If Tony had been a merman a lot of females would wait in line to get their eggs fertilized by the man.
Peter shook himself out of his thoughts and took a deep breath swimming slowly to the rim wincing as he felt the sting in his tail.
“Ah good morning?”
Tony flinched and turned around with a surprised expression, “oh ah hi, good morning or afternoon.” The boy watched the human drink something that smelled rather strong and bitter.
“I-I didn’t intend to scare you,” Peter said quietly but Tony shook his head.
“You didn’t I was just lost in thought it is no big deal, happens often,” Tony waved his hand to underline his words.
“How is your wound?”
Peter blushed and pulled himself up so he was sitting on the rim, it was not normal for a merman to be completely out of the water but Peter had no real problem with it, as long as his tail didn’t dry out.
He put his tail on the floor to examine the wound and grimaced, it didn’t look good. The wound hadn’t healed a bit but instead it was swollen and felt hot to the touch.
Tony made a displeased sound, “doesn’t look too good huh?” Peter sighed and shook his head, “not at all, I thought it would just heal but apparently your net had been dirty enough to give me an infection.”
Tony squatted by his tail looking more than guilty. Peter felt almost bad for him but it had been his stupid idea to watch the human, Tony never intended to hurt him, at least that was what he hoped was the case.
Tony sighed, “I am sorry kid,” and he meant it, “tell me how I can help you?” The genius would do anything to undo his mistake; he could not bear the thought of destroying that beautiful tail forever.
Peter shrugged, “normally we just let the wound be or cover it in seaweed or good earth to make sure predators are not attracted.”
Tony frowned, “hm well you are part fish…I know I will call up a vet, Jarvis find a fish specialist.” He stood and walked around the pool inside the house leaving Peter behind who looked confused.
The merman slowly slid back into the water lying on the floor so he had not to move his tail. He waited for another hour until he rose to the surface again, “uh Jarvis?”
It was so weird to talk to someone who was never physically present.
“Yes Master Peter?”
The boy licked his lips as he blushed hard, this was so embarrassing, “I ah well I need to um relieve myself.” He almost hid his face underwater in shame.
“I will call Mr. Stark he can show you to the bathroom.”
Peter blinked, “what is a bathroom?” The AI dutifully responded, “it is the room where humans tend to their needs like cleaning or relieving themselves. How do you clean your body if I may ask?”
Peter frowned at that question, “I rub my body with sand, do humans not do that?” It was interesting and easy to talk to Jarvis he noticed; Peter decided that he liked him.
“Only in regions with little or no water like the desert.”
Peter tilted his head; his current needs forgotten, “what is the desert?” A holographic screen appeared in the middle of the room and Peter stared at it with wide eyes.
The landscape was unbelievable. He had seen dunes before but only on a few beaches and never so big and plenty. Jarvis showed him different deserts until Tony walked in pushing a weird thing in front of him.
“Hey Ariel Jarvis called, just hop into the chair and I will get you to the bathroom.”
Peter stared at the chair in disbelieve, “what is this thing?” Tony smiled and stopped right in front of the pool, “this is called a wheelchair, it is normally used for people who cannot walk and since I don’t want to carry you again and walking is not really your thing I thought it would come in handy and got one.”
Peter nodded slowly a little unsure of what to think of that wheelchair. In the end he felt his needs return and since he refused to soil the tiny pool he just sighed and pushed himself out of the water and into the chair.
It was surprisingly comfortable and Tony easily pushed him through his house and Peter was able to take a look around before he Tony pushed him into a small room.
There was another chair placed and a tiny pool with no water and a weird glass box; he didn’t see how someone could relieve himself in here. Peter looked at Tony showing his confusion and the man chuckled.
“I will explain it to you,” he said as he walked around him. He lifted the lid of the white chair and pointed at it.
“This is a toilet and you sit on it and well ah drop your…business in there and when you are done you flush.”
Tony pushed at a white panel and Peter heard water rushing and he began to understand, he gave the other a quick nod. The human smiled, “you can either wash yourself afterwards or use the toilet paper to wipe away any remains so I hope this will work out but ah call if you need help.”
Peter nodded noticing the look on the human’s face pleading him to not need help. It was almost comical.
In the end it was easy enough for Peter to do his business and Tony didn’t need to help him. The genius was glad about that and happy that they would now never have to talk about this again.
He showed Peter how he could steer the wheelchair by himself and the boy eagerly tried it out in the spacious living room. Tony watched with a fond expression while he readied a few medical supplies.
The vet he had called had given him detailed advice on how to treat a wounded fish since nowadays people even called a vet for their Koi fish. Tony though that to be a little silly but right now he didn’t care.
The man also treated dolphins and other animals in the zoo so he had also some information on treating a wound in salt water.
“Peter if you would stop for a moment I will treat your wound,” Tony announced and the boy complied with a smile. The genius swallowed as he watched the muscles on the boy’s chest move as he rolled the chair towards him.
Tony cleared his throat preparing everything to disinfect the wound and once Peter was in front of him he started to work. The wound was thin but deep where the net had cut through the scales and into the flesh.
Tony felt the guilt return to him as he worked and he could only hope that his actions wouldn’t cause any permanent damage to that beautiful creature.
Peter watched him work flinching once in a while when he touched an especially sore spot but he didn’t complain. Tony finished by spreading some salve over the wound, “you think you can stay out of the water for a little longer?”
The boy nodded, “yeah I should be fine as long as I don’t completely dry out.” Tony nodded, “I think I have a solution for that.”
Quickly he walked into the bathroom and Peter heard water running for a moment until Tony walked back in. He held a wet towel in his hand and placed it on the boy’s lap.
“Here you go, should keep you moist for some time.”
Peter smiled at him actually liking this arrangement, “thank you Mr. Stark I appreciate this.” Tony smiled trying to ignore the warm feeling that pooled inside his stomach as he watched Peter’s face lit up.
The boy rolled away inspecting the couch with as much curiosity as a small child. Tony licked his lips, suddenly a lot more nervous than he should have been.
“Well now kiddo, since you are staying here, how about we learn from each other a little? You know I show you my world and you tell me about yours, I’d like to see it but it is unlikely I learn to hold my breath that long.”
Peter turned the chair around to look at Tony, an apologetic expression on his face, “ah I don’t know if I can do that Mr. Stark, I mean being and speaking here with you is already a crime punishable by death.”
Tony frowned, “what do you mean? You are not allowed to talk to humans?” Peter nodded, “yes, humans are dangerous and if they find out about us we will be hunted and killed for sure so we stay away.”
Tony nodded, it made sense actually, “yeah well I am not going to post a picture of you on twitter so don’t worry.” Peter looked at him confused, “what do you mean by that? Nothing in that sentence made any sense.”
The genius chuckled and shook his head, “oh you have much to learn my Padawan.” Peter looked even more confused but didn’t have time to answer since a weird ringing sound sounded through the room.
Tony sighed, “excuse me this is probably Pepper, she is my assistant.” Peter nodded and Tony pulled his phone out of his pocket walking downstairs and out of sight.
The boy watched him go, “well…Jarvis ah I think you showed me the desert.” The AI responded dutifully, “I did Sir shall we continue?”
Peter smiled and nodded.
Tony walked around his workshop while he talked to Pepper, as he thought the woman was pissed at him. With a sigh he sat down in front of his workbench, “I am sorry?”
He hissed as Pepper yelled at him through the phone. Tony put his phone down and Jarvis switched Pepper on a holoscreen, “I told you I am sorry.”
The redhead glared at him, “sorry doesn’t quite make it here Tony, you are expected to take action.” Tony looked at her suddenly angry, “oh sorry that I am not in a good shape since I found out that Obi had used me all those years. I am also terribly sorry for wanting some time off to think of the direction I want to lead this company into.”
Pepper blushed looking a little guilty. A few weeks before they had found out that Obi had sold weapons to terrorists and had also planned to kill Tony on a trip to Afghanistan.
It was only thanks to a reporter that had showed Tony pictures of his weapons in enemy hands that he had investigated. Jarvis had hacked into the Stark Industries server and had found out about Obi’s misdeeds.
Since he had been the closest thing to a father Tony had ever had he of course had been devastated by that revelation and ever since been unable to decide what to do with his company.
Pepper sighed, “alright Tony I am sorry but please read the reports I sent you, they may help you to decide just what to do.”
Tony nodded, “I will, thanks for the help Pep, I appreciate it.” The woman smiled at him gently and the screen darkened as they hung up on each other.
The genius looked around his workshop, his cars his robots and all the stuff he knew and loved but it didn’t feel like the place he wanted to be right now.
With a sigh he stood and walked up the stairs maybe Peter would give him a few answers now and even if he wouldn’t he was still looking forward to spending time in his company.
Tony stepped into the living room and stopped dead in his tracks as he found his new companion sitting in front of his TV munching on shrimps, straight out of the container, and watching two and a half man.
“Jarvis? I don’t understand this why is this young one not learning how to fight and defend himself against predators?”
Tony chuckled and waited for the answer from his AI.
“The human don’t have natural predators Master Peter, the only immediate danger comes from other humans.”
Peter frowned at that, “wait, humans are their own worst enemy?” Tony laughed and stepped into the room and to the boy, “humanity in a nutshell, yes that is indeed the case Peter.”
The merman looked at Tony and blushed slightly. Gods how can someone be so cute and real?
“Ah I am sorry I asked Jarvis to teach me about humanity and he suggested I should try to watch some TV,” the boy explained averting his gaze from Tony. The genius smiled, “that was a good idea but I wouldn’t suggest for you to watch Charlie Sheen bang hookers and drink booze as an entry.”
Peter frowned, “what is a hooker?”
Tony switched of the TV, “a woman or a man who has sex with you in exchange for money.” All the boy said was a quiet oh before he blushed again.
“I take it you have them to deep down in magical mermaid land?”
Peter rolled his eyes, “it is not a magical land, we live deep down in an underwater cave system and yes we have hookers, but we call them shrouds or shrouded ones.”
Tony filed the information about his home in the back of his mind and smiled at him, “why do you call them that?” The boy managed to get even redder; he began to roll towards the pool.
“Merpeople mostly don’t have sex, our females lay eggs and we males fertilize them. Sex is said to be for the ones who are…different and more barbaric.”
Tony slowly followed him outside, “why barbaric? Don’t your people like pleasure?” Peter sighed and pulled away the towel and slipped into the water. As he surfaced again he seemed at little more at ease.
“We well,” the boy seemed to be searching for the right words, “I don’t really know but my aunt told me that since we don’t need sex it is seen as something only weak people do.”
Tony frowned, “just because you don’t need it doesn’t mean you cannot find pleasure in it.” He sat down on the edge of the pool looking at the boy, he felt like he would never tire to look at him.
Peter shrugged, “I wouldn’t know I have never even kissed a girl.” Both blinked at each other and Peter now realizing what he had said turned red as a tomato and sunk beneath the surface.
Tony almost laughed but he didn’t want to hurt his feelings so he kept quiet and instead watched as Peter swam once again into the farthest corner from him and hid his face in his hands.
The genius stood and turned to walk inside with a smile on his face, he didn’t know if Peter realized that he had giving him a lot of information about his people.
“Jarvis,” he said picking up a glass and filling it with some scotch at his bar, “you heard everything the boy said right? File these information down into a private folder.”
“Of course Sir do you want to put a copy of that on the Stark Industries databank?”
Tony took a large sip shaking his head, “no I don’t know who I can trust and for now I better keep that to myself.” The AI dutifully obeyed, “very well Sir but I need to inform you that Miss Potts will most likely come to visit soon.”
Tony groaned and run a hand through his hair, of course she would, she was always so worried. Did he pay her that well actually?
He walked up to the couch and picked up the bowl of shrimp the boy had left there. The genius wrinkled his nose at the smell; he really needed to introduce the boy to cheeseburgers.
As the darkness started to rise Peter emerged from the pool again and got into the wheelchair. He rolled into the living room but there was no sight of Mr. stark and so he rolled into the bathroom without further delay.
Once he was finished he inspected himself in the reflecting surface on the wall. His tail was healthy red and his skin as pale as it usually was.
With a smile he rolled back into the room, “Jarvis does Mr. Stark have sand somewhere?” The AI responded immediately, “I am afraid not am I right to assume that you wish to clean yourself with it?”
Peter nodded and rolled to the cooling device…fridge and opened the door. There was a nice and fresh looking salmon he picked up before closing the door again.
“Yes I’d like to clean myself,” he said rolling in front of the TV again. He took a large bite from the fish happy to notice that it was already cleaned. It tasted really good.
“I will order some sand for you if you wish; does it need to be a certain sort of sand?”
Peter frowned and took another bite, “the kind that is on the ocean ground?” Tony chuckled, “forget it Jarvis I will just get a few buckets from the beach.”
Peter blushed and looked down on his fish taking another bite not looking at the human. Tony noticed of course, “are you alright?” Peter just nodded chewing slowly so he wouldn’t have to talk.
Tony watched him before walking over to the bar getting another drink, “you in for a movie? I think I just have the right thing for you.”
Peter narrowed his eyes as he heard the smirk in the other’s voice but he still nodded. Tony clapped his hands picking up his drink, “excellent Jarvis, the little mermaid, please.”
Jarvis actually sounded like he was shaking his head, “at once Sir.”
The movie was confusing but also really enjoyable, Peter knew that Tony had chosen the movie to taunt him a little but the boy had to admit he liked it.
The singing was a little weird but he could identify with the girl, knowing how it is to not fit in and to search for something else to fill the void inside.
“Well that was interesting,” he noted shifting a little to look at Tony. He was laying on the couch a wet blanked spread over his tail while Tony sat in an armchair eating something he called Chinese takeout.
Peter had politely declined his food offer since he was full from his salmon and besides it smelled rather weird.
Tony grinned at him poking his food with a pair of chopsticks, “well how accurate was it?” Peter snorted, “I never said it was accurate.”
The genius tilted his head, “well come on spill it or do I need to make assumptions?” Peter rolled his eyes, “alright but I cannot tell you much, so for once we do not ride giant seashell carriages that are pulled by dolphins. They would never do that, they are…weird creatures.”
Tony frowned, “weird creatures? We humans love them they are funny and calming.” Peter snorted again, “I think we have different points of view at that aspect. We actually try to stay away from dolphins.”
The genius tilted his head chewing on a piece of meat, “why?” Peter sat up and pulled the wheelchair closer to the couch so he could switch seats.
“They can be rather creepy and persistent if they want to mate.”
Tony stared at him with wide eyes trying to figure out if the boy was joking but that was apparently not the case. Peter rolled past him waving his hand, “goodnight Mr. Stark, please don’t forget my sand.”
Tony nodded a little absently and as soon as he heard the boy slip back into the pool he stood and walked into his workshop.
“Jarvis, order someone to bring a few buckets of sand up from the beach,” he said sitting down at his workbench. Excitement rushed through him.
“Of course Sir.”
Tony started his computer, “Jarvis scan the seafloor for cave systems, I really want to know where the boy came from.” The AI projected a 3D hologram into the air that showed the scans and Tony watched as the area grew bigger and bigger.
He hadn’t been this excited for years.