The Amazing Spiderson

Tony Stark had survived a great many things. Things that had tried to test him, beat him, kill him even. Things that scarred him well after their expiration date, and things that would haunt him for years to come. He remembers how it felt when he was torn apart & put back together with a reactor in his chest, and he remembers how Rhodey looked as he fell from the sky like a shooting star. He remembers the air between his fingers as Pepper fell to the fire, and he remembers Peter Parker begging for his life on Titan.

But this pain was different. It was something like jealousy infused with loneliness as he watched everyone around him a tear-stained mess as they reunited with those they loved. Friends, lovers, parents, children---- everyone had their moment of pure unadulterated bliss but him. He was sympathetic, and when people like Sam & Bucky nodded his way, he nodded back, but there was one person distinctly missing from this little reunion that felt oddly definite. What if something went wrong? What if it didn’t work for Peter, or it did and something happened as soon as he came back? If Tony had learned anything from this cruel joke God called his life it was that nothing could ever go exactly according to plan. And if Tony won the war, he would always lose a battle. Unfortunately this was one he was not willing to lose.

What if Peter didn’t come back?

He’d already started on plans for a space ship that could make a trip to Titan like Ebony Maw’s donut could, but there were several key elements missing from the blueprints. He hadn’t exactly examined the ship when they were crash landing it all those months ago, and as every inventor ever had come to realize, there was no planning for what humans didn’t understand. How could he jump light speed, or create a cooling system for a universe he could not predict?

Realistically he knew that if they had a chance, Peter would have to make it back to Earth and Tony must remain stagnant. Not really a Tony Stark character trait.

As he’d done countless times before, he asked FRIDAY to run a scan for the key words ‘Peter Parker’ or ‘Spider-Man’. Dozens of titles came up, mostly circling the question “Where has Queen’s vigilante been?” or buzzfeed’s “What Superhero are you?” quizzes (Tony always got Iron Man, with the one single exception of Thor when he was drunk). There were stranger things hidden in the depths of his junk file such as ‘Spider-Man identity theories’ (that Spider-Man is actually just a StarkBot), APB circulating lists on those still lost (Peter Parker), and one titled ‘friendly neighborhood spider-man’ (click bait).

His eyes skipped over it at first. It blended in with all the other pointless news articles and tabloid trash surrounding the vigilante but Tony Stark distinctly remembers how those words sounded in Peter’s voice. There was a high chance it was just a trick of play, a common phrase used by someone smart enough to draw the eye, but he would do anything for just a sliver of hope right now.

“FRIDAY, play MILANOWIRELESS.”

He didn’t realize he was holding his breath.

“Hey Mr. Stark.”

It felt like a gut-punch. Every pent up emotion he’d tried to drown this past year made its way to the forefront of his mind in a flurry of relief. Every sleepless night, every anxiety attack, every thought to suppress was just the night, and finally, finally, a new dawn has broken.

Peter Parker was alive. Not only was he alive, but he didn’t blame Tony as an rational being would. He was calling Tony because he wanted to hear from him. As someone who cared about Tony outside of the suit. He didn’t care that Tony’s suit didn’t save him, or that Tony was speechless as Peter bargained for his life. In that recording, the only thing it sounded like, was love.

He listened to it a few times, and while he wasn’t exactly enthralled to hear that Star Douche was piloting the Peter Express home, he was glad to hear that he wasn’t still on that dust ball of a planet. And currently en route to Earth. If Peter Parker could rise from the dead to meet Tony, then surely Tony could wait a day or two for their overdue reunion.

After relaying the information to a very much alive May, Tony began the return call. Or more accurately, calls.

Tony Stark woke up the next morning with his face squished on the StarkPhone. The last memory he recalls is of drooping eyelids and another call left unanswered until suddenly there was no more ringing. He’d tried everything----- hijacking the original signal, even if it didn’t go to Karen but the ship instead, prioritized messaging (reserved specifically for Tony Stark) that would make the mask effectively buzz like a smart phone, hell he’d even sent texts like maybe Peter just wasn’t in the mood to talk.

When he made it to the dining hall the next morning he made a point to not be the same man he was before. Anxiety driven, insane with worry and giving no information as to why. He knew Peter was safe, and now the only thing he knew he could protect was the kid’s identity. No talking about Peter, or Tony’s unabashed excitement because of the kid, and maybe just maybe he’d survive the day of waiting. He noticed the usual suspects huddled up in deep conversation in the back right corner of the room, and made his way to join them. Natasha, Clint, Steve, and Bucky sat to one side talking animatedly, while Thor, Bruce, Sam, Wanda, and Rhodey claimed the other. Something heated had them all up in arms, but as Tony approached all conversation ended.

“Good morning, breakfast club.” He made a point not to look at anybody too long. Natasha had a bad habit of bringing up the bags under his eyes ever since they’d met.

“I’ve never said your name and this word in the same sentence, but Tony, you look…. Chipper this morning.”

“Well we just saved the world didn’t we?” He could’ve sworn his phone vibrated. But when he checked his StarkWatch to no new messages, he had to remind himself to cool it. Patience is a virtue, or whatever.

“You didn’t seem to care when we actually did it.” Steve countered.

“Delayed reaction.”

No one took that seriously. Instead the group just reverted to what had clearly been their previous conversation.

“So… what now? Do we go back to playing outlaw?”

“Yeah, I don’t think the U.S. government was ‘playing’ wanted fugitive.” Rhodey joked.

“I got a message from Ross’ secretary the other day. Public opinion’s changed thanks to our saving their asses… again. They’re rewriting the accords.” Tony seriously wondered whether or not he could get an English muffin here. He hadn’t eaten really at all since their showdown with Thanos and it only registered right now how famished he was. “you gonna finish that?” He asked Bruce as the others at the table stared dumbfounded.

“You knew we were pardoned yesterday?” Sam was quick to fill the silence, as always.

“You didn’t think we’d want to know?” Wanda added. Only Natasha & Steve seemed unbothered. Then again, being fugitives didn’t seem to bother them then either.

“Wasn’t sure if that’d mess with the whole ‘outlaw’ aesthetic your boyband was going for.” Tony shrugged. “Pass the butter.” He added, effectively ending whatever scolding the Brady Bunch was gonna give him.
Steve continued his thrilling recount of what Bucky missed in the last year, Natasha, Bruce, and Wanda discussed living arrangements, and only Rhodey remained uncharacteristically silent. He nodded his head towards the door, and being able to read a blatant sign, Tony followed him out.

“Anything?” Rhodes asked as soon as the door swung closed behind them. They were now in some outside garden that looked like every cover of National geographic ever, but on steroids.

Tony sighed. For a minute, he’d actually forgotten he was waiting with baited breath for that damn kid. “I got a call last night. He’s alive.” Rhodes sighed happily, and smiled earnestly for the first time in a year. “But you know kids and phones. They never pick up when you actually need them to. If I understood his rambling then he’s hitching a ride with Rocket & Groot’s crew and coming here.”

“Did he say how long?”

Tony shook his head. “No, the transmission cut off when he started talking about ‘Temple of Doom’, and honestly, it was for the best.”

Rhodes nodded, but clearly his thoughts remained in other places. “You know that’s not what Ross said. Yes, the accords are being rewritten and probably more lenient but that does not mean all is forgiven. He’s still got a social bounty out for Steve. And honestly, I don't think he'll fight clean.”

He did know that. In common terms what Ross had actually said was ‘as a thanks for saving the world we’ll re-word the contract’ but effectively keep it the same. Whether or not Tony cared about what Ross said was still up for debate. Even Tony was in no way, shape, or form completely absolving Cap of his crimes. He’s got scars from their showdown he doubts will ever heal, but an Avengers compound with no Avengers in it was worse than whatever pride Tony had to swallow to keep them there. Recently Tony’s realized how fast everything can disappear in a snap. If they could forgive him for his long list of character defects, then he could bring the band back together.

“One problem at a time Rhodes.” Tony rationed, using his right hand to pat his best friend’s shoulder. As he did the StarkWatch pinged and the small spider-logo appeared on it for the first time in a year. That meant the Iron Spider suit was back in the atmosphere, within range of satellites and obviously Earth. His heart skipped a beat, and then another, and he might have noticed if he wasn’t furiously thinking of what the hell he was going to do now. So much for remaining composed.

“Call.” He barely got out before Friday was ringing the suit. Finally. He could not only hear Peter’s voice, but ask him all the questions that’d been plaguing his mind----such as any potential injuries or whether he ever wanted to see Tony again. He could tell Peter to stay put, or to meet him in a precise location, or perhaps to never leave his sight again----the possibilities were endless!

That is, if the call went through. Yet again, Karen notified Tony Stark that Peter Parker was unavailable.

“That’s cold.” Rhodes noted, before returning to the dining hall.

With two taps to his chest the suit morphed around him, the familiar hum of technology filling his ears. He kept the string of calls constant in an attempt that somehow Peter might realize he could receive them now. “FRIDAY, where’s the suit now?”

“Breaking into the atmosphere. Currently over South Africa, but approaching alarmingly fast, sir.”

‘Alarmingly fast’ that kid better be wearing his damn seatbelt.

“Hey Tony.”

Tony tried his best to not seem alarmed, and hidden behind his iron mask he feels he did an alright job. I mean, Natasha Romanov IS a professional spy.

“Waiting on Spider-Man?” She asked, eyebrow quirked as if daring him to challenge her.

“Actually, waiting on my cab. Must’ve taken a wrong turn somewhere.” DEFLECT his mind screamed to himself. How the hell did she know he still kept tabs on Spider-Man? Hadn’t she legitimately been living under a rock since Germany?

She smiled at that. She was trained to read people for a living, and cool façade or not he’d have to admit defeat. Mentally. He’d never un-mask Peter even if it was a friend asking.

“Hope it shows.” She responded coyly, the ends of her sentence dulled by the hum of a spaceship in the background. It was mere speculation that that was Peter’s ship. Everybody was reuniting with those they’d lost and with Wakanda’s high tech, Tony wouldn’t be surprised to find out this tricked out ship was just their public transportation, but call it desperation or curiosity, Tony gave a nod to Natasha and flew his way to the ship.

The ship itself was rested in an open plain where a few scattered other vehicles parked. A long strip of grass connected this lot to the compound where the guests of Wakanda stayed, and surrounding either side was a thicket of trees covered by canopy tops.

Star Lord was easily recognizable. He stood, perhaps a bit too straight-backed next to a beaming Thor that was obviously praising their handiwork in the demise of Thanos. Groot, the sentient tree, and the semi-sentient volatile Raccoon were reunited with the rest of their gang, but it was very noticeable that one squirmy teenager was missing from the picture.

It was really shocking the things he realized he’d do if he found out that Star Lord lost his kid.

“Iron Spider suit approximately two miles to your right, sir.” To his right? In the middle of the goddamn jungle? Jeez, this kid was dramatic, and that’s coming from Iron-Man.

He followed Friday’s directions into the deep forest, and just when he thought he’d been following the wrong signal, there was a “Mr. Stark!” That tore his heart like paper.

He disengaged his thrusters a little too fast, and he had to balance himself quickly before stumble-landing in front of a breathless, but very much alive Peter Parker. Maybe it was shock, but Tony could do nothing but stare.

As usual, the kid took this opportunity to ramble. “I know, I shouldn’t have been on that ship. I didn’t mean to cause trouble, and I know you didn’t want to be stuck babysitting, and I’m just, I’m so sorry------“
Tony released something between a sigh and a laugh that this kid was apologizing. After everything. After Tony’s suit didn’t bring him to safety, after Tony couldn’t protect the kid like he promised, after he couldn’t save him… he was still the one apologizing. The parting words on Titan replayed in his mind, and through hazy blinks he realized there were tears there.

“Don’t.” Was all he could muster before exiting the suit. There were no words exchanged but the message was clear, and soon Tony’s arms were wrapping tight around the reason his hairs were graying. Peter Parker was alive. After just about a year of planning, and grieving, and re-planning only to get their asses handed to them by Thanos, it had all been worth it. Every drop that Tony bled, every tear he shed, every memory that felt like a knife in his heart----was worth it for this moment right now.

“Just don’t let it happen again.” Tony joked. He thought back to New York now, and the compound and cheesy, cliché movies that Peter swore by and all he wanted now was a little slice of normal. Peter was alright, Tony was alright, and somehow miraculously they’d survived. He would’ve given everything he owned for this moment, and somehow life had given it to him instead. He didn’t deserve to have the kid love him like he did.

"I really missed you, Mr. Stark."

There weren't enough words in the English language to describe the all encompassing hole he'd felt before Peter's return. But there was something to be said about brevity.

"I missed you too, kid---"

“Yo, Mikey!” Someone in the forest called, sounding irritatingly like that self-named ‘Star Lord’. Tony sighed, breaking away from Peter then and seriously considering whether or not he should use his proton blaster to free the area from annoyances.

“Mikey?” Tony asked. Was he really that thick-headed to not remember a name as simple as ‘Peter’?

“From the goonies.” Peter explained, walking forward to meet Star-Lord and ultimately messing with Tony’s shot if he choose to take it. When he’d pictured the reunion he hadn’t necessarily included this dude. It was more like express lane to New York and never doing so much as jaywalking ever again.

“Over here!” Peter shouted to the forest.

“Hey!” Star Lord greeted when he finally emerged from the trees. He nodded towards Tony but otherwise did not pay much attention. He seemed lost in his own mind, which Tony was surprised to find he had. “Thought about my offer? I hear Vormir’s nice this time of year.”

Offer? What, did Star Lord want Peter to fix his ship? Was he in need of money? Maybe even have Peter rush his inter-galactic fraternity? And if Tony picked up anything from context clues, it’s that Vormir was a shit-hole. Nebula went into explicit detail about how it was basically like if a volcano and a desert had a baby that they threw into hell.

Peter reacted differently, even getting that deer in the headlights look that meant Tony wasn’t supposed to know about any of this. God this kid had no poker face.

“I uh…” He stumbled, looking back at Tony. Tony pretended to be otherwise occupied by staring at the trees to give them privacy. Enough that Peter felt independent, but not enough that Peter was out of his sight again. He really didn’t see a future where he’d ever be okay with that again.

“I t-thought about it. But I uh, I just got back, you know?” He looked back at Tony again, his eyebrows crinkling as if some great epiphany had just appeared. “I think… I think I’m gonna stay, actually.”

Star Lord nodded as if that was expected. He put a hand on Peter’s shoulder, handed him something that looked like a pager, and told him to “call if you change your mind.” Peter took it, hugged Star Lord briefly, and that was the end of that.

Tony waited until Star Lord’s back could no longer be seen, before putting his arm around Peter’s shoulders and walking him to the plane that would get them the hell out of dodge.

“Let’s go home, Pete.”