"No way, you're not old. Well, I guess you were frozen for a billion years but that's just a technicality and—" he lets out a breath, hands held up mid-gesture like he's mock surrendering. "Peter. I mean, that's my real name."
Sure, they've probably done introductions a dozen times before, but the opportunity to introduce himself as anything other than Spider-Man had never really been on the table up until this point. There was the funeral, but even then, they all still had so much to do before they could go back to normal life.
And here he is in the flesh, Captain America. Ned's actual brain would explode if he showed up on Cap's ride, and a part of him almost wants to indulge. Peter almost visibly relaxes until Steve mentions Happy, and his brow furrows. "Wait, Happy sent you? Am I in trouble, Cap— Steve?"
He's done all of his homework since he's been back, he's aced all of his tests, he's only webbed into one lady's apartment window and he stayed to help her patch it up like the good, friendly, neighborhood Spider-Man that he is. (He's even paying for it with his own Science Fair prize money, thank you very much). And the last time he saw Cap? He'd left, right?
Steve realizes his mistake too late, and he's quick to shake his head once it dawns on him how Peter took his response. "No, no. You're not in trouble. I asked him for it. I just wanted to say hi."
It sounds so simple, like him showing up out of the blue is normal. Like this is just something that he would generally do. But, well, it's not like they ever really had a chance to establish anything. If the team hadn't dissolved right around the time that Tony wanted to have Peter join it, how different would their relationship be? Would he have gotten as close to Peter as he and Tony had been? He knows that's unlikely, that Peter and Tony had a bond that transcended just being team members, but he'd like to think that they could have at least been friends.
"I've been gone for a bit," he continues as if to explain why he wanted to say hi, suddenly unsure if Sam or someone else had filled him in about Steve's 'time off.' "I'm back in the city, though, so I just...wanted to check in. See how you're doing."
It sounds better than saying, 'I know how much you meant to Tony, and Tony meant a lot to me even if actions may have said otherwise, and I just want to make sure his kids are okay.' That is really, ultimately, the real purpose of this visit. It's how he had managed to get Happy to share Peter's information. While his relationship with Tony may have been complicated at best a lot of the time, it doesn't change the respect and affection he felt for the man. It doesn't change the fact that he's mourning his friend, and he wants to look after his children on his behalf. It's the very least that Steve can do.
"So. You want that ride? I'd hate to make you late."
The air rushes out of him almost immediately and one raised hand presses against his chest. "Jeez, you scared me." Happy usually only gets in touch when things go south or he's gaining unwanted publicity, but even Peter suspects that's more out of a duty to Tony than it is to him. Either way, he seems to relax finally, looking less like a wind-up toy and a little more like a regular high school kid. Maybe a tired one, but still a regular kid.
More surprising, however, is that Steve Rogers, Captain America, is here for a glorified wellness check. Who on the whole wide Earth could say that they have Captain America dropping by to check in. He feels a little silly, acting like they're strangers, but they are in a sense. They fought against and alongside one another, but the devastation of the world left them little time to try and clear whatever air sat still and stagnant between them.
"I'm... doing good, yeah. Got a chem exam final period today that I'm gonna ace, and first block's started— it's politics so they're talking about the blip anyway— so I kind of made myself late already. They probably won't miss me, anyway," he shrugs one shoulder, shifting the weight of his backpack, one hand gripping the strap. Peter Parker, open mouth, insert foot. He clears his throat.
"A ride would be nice. I mean, if you don't mind. But, uh. Did you really come all the way here just to check in? I mean that's like a whole twenty-five minutes from Brooklyn, and even longer by bus." He's touched, even if he won't quite own up to it. As weird as it is seeing another one of the heroes, it's nice, too. Nice to know that he doesn't have to explain himself, really. That everything that happened can go unsaid when his mind wanders, when the news feels a little too real.
"Sorry," Steve responds with a soft chuckle, but looking properly embarrassed about frightening him. He should have properly led with that, and he makes a mental note for next time. Because this definitely won't be the last time that these wellness checks happen, he'll just time it a little better next time. It's easy to forget sometimes that Peter Parker is still a high school student - to the point that he himself forgot, but this would be the first and last time that happened.
If Peter hadn't mentioned the blip, and that they're covering it in class, he would probably be suggesting that they leave now so that he could get him to school on time. But, considering the subject, he can't say he blames him for wanting to miss it altogether. Steve would do the same. After all, he can hardly watch television lately or check the news, since he tends to keep bumping into coverage about the battle. The blip. The aftermath. It's all still a little too fresh.
He smiles, standing and reaching for the helmet that's strapped on the back of his bike. Because, while he may not wear a helmet, he's generally prepared for others.
"I did. I didn't take the bus, though. I'm faster with the bike." He says it with a smile as he hands him the helmet, as if that makes a difference. "I just got back, actually, and you were on my way in. If I would have noticed the time I would have waited until after school, but hey, at least I get to give you a ride."
And this is (he hopes) less awkward than standing outside of his school, talking. He has a feeling they would have less privacy there, with kids milling about around them.
"Oh, man. You don't need to be sorry. I'm still sort of new at this whole... you know," he lowers his voice, though there's no one really close enough on the street to hear, "superhero thing and Mr. Stark used to send Happy all the time when I'd goof up, so."
He shrugs a shoulder, sheepish, and moves to slide his other arm into the loose strap of his back, so that his bookbag is situated on his back. But he takes the helmet, turning it between his palms. "I've never ridden a motorcycle before. But I guess it can't be any scarier than webbing around, right? I mean, especially if you're driving. You're probably a way better driver than I am that's for sure."
Not that Peter's really had any experience driving, but sometimes the words come tumbling out when he's a little unsure of what to say. But they'll be headed to school again, and remembering that he's supposed to be plain Peter Parker right now seems to help calm the nerves. He doesn't have to be Spider-Man right now.
"Uh, speaking of driving, could we go around the back of the school when we get there? It's just that I'm pretty sure everyone's gonna notice me showing up late if we pull up out front. That and... well, I mean I have this friend who thinks you're pretty awesome and I know we're not exactly doing our made-up names and stuff anymore but it would be sweet if you could like. Wave at him. Or something. Our PE teacher uses a lot of your videos and stuff for class and detention— not that I get detention. I've just. Heard things, and stuff."
A faint smile crosses his lips as he nods slightly in understanding when Peter says he doesn’t have experience in this superhero business, and looks down at his keys for a second. “Well, you’re doing great. Or, I haven’t heard of you goofing up, at the very least.”
At his admission that he has never ridden a motorcycle, Steve chuckles. “I’d think that’s scarier, yes. But I’m also more used to traveling on ground than your method of transportation, so I’m not sure I’m the best judge on that.”
Steve wouldn’t consider himself a reckless driver, but he’s also not necessarily the slowest. That’s generally when he’s on his own, at least; for all his rule abiding ways, he sure loves to break the speed limit. Whenever he’s driving with someone else, though, he’s more conservative. In this case, especially with Peter. He’s not planning on anything too crazy.
“Yeah, I can wave at your friend.” Just as he’s about to mount the bike, he pauses at the mention of the videos and he makes a face as he remembers what he’s talking about. “They’re still using those? God, here I was hoping no one would ever have to watch those things.”
"Hey, webbing around isn't so bad once you get over the whole roller coaster feeling, you know? But the drop's the best part. Haven't tried the Empire State Building yet, but it's on the list."
Peter turns the helmet between his hands again and lets out a little laugh. The Washington Monument had felt impossibly high, but after being dragged up into the exosphere by an alien tractor beam, he's not sure any heights really frighten him anymore.
"My friend's gonna freak. It's why I said wave, because I think if he met you in person he might actually meltdown." There's a fondness in the way he speaks about Ned, a warmth in his tone and smile. He couldn't have landed a better best friend, a better Chair Guy.
"There's a spot out back, a little courtyard thing. We can sit there until first period's over. Got another hour before AP Physics 2. Second block. I mean, if you got time. If May finds me out here on her way to work she might kill me." He grins and moves to pull the helmet on over his head. He feels a little silly, admittedly, but he reminds himself he spends half his time in a powered spandex-turned-metal Spider-Man suit. Or is he Iron Spider? Nah, too lame. Way, way too lame.
"You'll have to tell me how that one goes. I've jumped from planes, but I can't say I've ever swung from buildings."
He probably shouldn't encourage him to swing from the Empire State Building, but he doubts Peter needs the encouragement, anyway. Besides, the kid has earned it by now, hasn't he?
Steve smiles as Peter speaks of his friend. It's impossible to miss the fondness in his demeanor as he does so, and he's glad that Peter has that. Considering the influence Bucky had in his life, and how Steve doesn't know how in the hell he could have survived without him, he's glad that Peter has someone like that in his life as well.
"Ah, right," he responds as he glances over towards the front door of the building before he gets on the bike, starting the engine as Peter gets on. "Yeah, I definitely got time." Once he gets the address, Steve just nods and instructs him to hang on before he starts the drive over to his school. Overall, the ride over is smooth and he moves the bike through traffic with ease, and by the time they make it to the school he parks in the back as requested. For a moment he wonders if he should have asked him if he was hungry, or if he wanted to stop elsewhere before coming here, but maybe that would have caused bigger problems. He's not sure how much people are still hounding them with questions, wanting pictures or to talk about what happened, and Steve doesn't want his time with Peter to be taken over by any of it.
"Nice campus," he comments as he walks with Peter towards the courtyard. "I'm not going to get you in trouble by keeping you here, right?"
While riding on a motorcycle doesn't exactly seem all that exciting, the fact that he's being given a ride to school by Captain Freaking America? That's pretty awesome, and he knows for a fact that Ned's brain might actually explode when he shares the news.
The ride doesn't take long but Peter enjoys it for what it is. There's no pretending here, no reason to plaster on a silly smile to cover up the fact that he'd been much closer to Tony Stark than the public could ever know. It gives him some time to recenter himself, so that when they're walking in the courtyard after, he doesn't feel so taken aback, surprised.
"Nah, I mean if they catch me out here detention's really not that big of a deal anyway. I think they're giving a lot of people breaks, with the Blip and all." He shrugs a shoulder and digs a toe into the concrete, kicking a pebble along the walkway. "It's like thirty minutes of watching some videos and we can usually do our homework. Aunt May might yell at me a little but I think she's chilled out a lot. Turns out when you're the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man detention doesn't seem like it's that big of a deal."
He laughs a little and rubs awkwardly at the back of his head. As they walk, they come to a small fountain. It's not turned on, but in the center sits a tiger, the school's mascot, surrounded by stone birds and flora. "Hey, uh. Can I... can I ask you a question?"
Peter doesn't look at Steve as he approaches the fountain and moves to sit up on its edge. He looks across at the back of the school, the campus quiet as all of its students settle into their morning lectures. His phone buzzes and without checking, he knows it will be Ned.
"Does any of this stuff get easier?" His voice goes quiet, as though the fountain itself might overhead. "The uh, the fighting." The part where they lose people. "All the creepy alien stuff and the bad guys. When I found out what I was... I mean, what happened to me, I knew I should use it to do something good, but—" A small intake of breath. "It doesn't feel like enough."
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Sure, they've probably done introductions a dozen times before, but the opportunity to introduce himself as anything other than Spider-Man had never really been on the table up until this point. There was the funeral, but even then, they all still had so much to do before they could go back to normal life.
And here he is in the flesh, Captain America. Ned's actual brain would explode if he showed up on Cap's ride, and a part of him almost wants to indulge. Peter almost visibly relaxes until Steve mentions Happy, and his brow furrows. "Wait, Happy sent you? Am I in trouble, Cap— Steve?"
He's done all of his homework since he's been back, he's aced all of his tests, he's only webbed into one lady's apartment window and he stayed to help her patch it up like the good, friendly, neighborhood Spider-Man that he is. (He's even paying for it with his own Science Fair prize money, thank you very much). And the last time he saw Cap? He'd left, right?
no subject
It sounds so simple, like him showing up out of the blue is normal. Like this is just something that he would generally do. But, well, it's not like they ever really had a chance to establish anything. If the team hadn't dissolved right around the time that Tony wanted to have Peter join it, how different would their relationship be? Would he have gotten as close to Peter as he and Tony had been? He knows that's unlikely, that Peter and Tony had a bond that transcended just being team members, but he'd like to think that they could have at least been friends.
"I've been gone for a bit," he continues as if to explain why he wanted to say hi, suddenly unsure if Sam or someone else had filled him in about Steve's 'time off.' "I'm back in the city, though, so I just...wanted to check in. See how you're doing."
It sounds better than saying, 'I know how much you meant to Tony, and Tony meant a lot to me even if actions may have said otherwise, and I just want to make sure his kids are okay.' That is really, ultimately, the real purpose of this visit. It's how he had managed to get Happy to share Peter's information. While his relationship with Tony may have been complicated at best a lot of the time, it doesn't change the respect and affection he felt for the man. It doesn't change the fact that he's mourning his friend, and he wants to look after his children on his behalf. It's the very least that Steve can do.
"So. You want that ride? I'd hate to make you late."
no subject
More surprising, however, is that Steve Rogers, Captain America, is here for a glorified wellness check. Who on the whole wide Earth could say that they have Captain America dropping by to check in. He feels a little silly, acting like they're strangers, but they are in a sense. They fought against and alongside one another, but the devastation of the world left them little time to try and clear whatever air sat still and stagnant between them.
"I'm... doing good, yeah. Got a chem exam final period today that I'm gonna ace, and first block's started— it's politics so they're talking about the blip anyway— so I kind of made myself late already. They probably won't miss me, anyway," he shrugs one shoulder, shifting the weight of his backpack, one hand gripping the strap. Peter Parker, open mouth, insert foot. He clears his throat.
"A ride would be nice. I mean, if you don't mind. But, uh. Did you really come all the way here just to check in? I mean that's like a whole twenty-five minutes from Brooklyn, and even longer by bus." He's touched, even if he won't quite own up to it. As weird as it is seeing another one of the heroes, it's nice, too. Nice to know that he doesn't have to explain himself, really. That everything that happened can go unsaid when his mind wanders, when the news feels a little too real.
no subject
If Peter hadn't mentioned the blip, and that they're covering it in class, he would probably be suggesting that they leave now so that he could get him to school on time. But, considering the subject, he can't say he blames him for wanting to miss it altogether. Steve would do the same. After all, he can hardly watch television lately or check the news, since he tends to keep bumping into coverage about the battle. The blip. The aftermath. It's all still a little too fresh.
He smiles, standing and reaching for the helmet that's strapped on the back of his bike. Because, while he may not wear a helmet, he's generally prepared for others.
"I did. I didn't take the bus, though. I'm faster with the bike." He says it with a smile as he hands him the helmet, as if that makes a difference. "I just got back, actually, and you were on my way in. If I would have noticed the time I would have waited until after school, but hey, at least I get to give you a ride."
And this is (he hopes) less awkward than standing outside of his school, talking. He has a feeling they would have less privacy there, with kids milling about around them.
no subject
He shrugs a shoulder, sheepish, and moves to slide his other arm into the loose strap of his back, so that his bookbag is situated on his back. But he takes the helmet, turning it between his palms. "I've never ridden a motorcycle before. But I guess it can't be any scarier than webbing around, right? I mean, especially if you're driving. You're probably a way better driver than I am that's for sure."
Not that Peter's really had any experience driving, but sometimes the words come tumbling out when he's a little unsure of what to say. But they'll be headed to school again, and remembering that he's supposed to be plain Peter Parker right now seems to help calm the nerves. He doesn't have to be Spider-Man right now.
"Uh, speaking of driving, could we go around the back of the school when we get there? It's just that I'm pretty sure everyone's gonna notice me showing up late if we pull up out front. That and... well, I mean I have this friend who thinks you're pretty awesome and I know we're not exactly doing our made-up names and stuff anymore but it would be sweet if you could like. Wave at him. Or something. Our PE teacher uses a lot of your videos and stuff for class and detention— not that I get detention. I've just. Heard things, and stuff."
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At his admission that he has never ridden a motorcycle, Steve chuckles. “I’d think that’s scarier, yes. But I’m also more used to traveling on ground than your method of transportation, so I’m not sure I’m the best judge on that.”
Steve wouldn’t consider himself a reckless driver, but he’s also not necessarily the slowest. That’s generally when he’s on his own, at least; for all his rule abiding ways, he sure loves to break the speed limit. Whenever he’s driving with someone else, though, he’s more conservative. In this case, especially with Peter. He’s not planning on anything too crazy.
“Yeah, I can wave at your friend.” Just as he’s about to mount the bike, he pauses at the mention of the videos and he makes a face as he remembers what he’s talking about. “They’re still using those? God, here I was hoping no one would ever have to watch those things.”
no subject
Peter turns the helmet between his hands again and lets out a little laugh. The Washington Monument had felt impossibly high, but after being dragged up into the exosphere by an alien tractor beam, he's not sure any heights really frighten him anymore.
"My friend's gonna freak. It's why I said wave, because I think if he met you in person he might actually meltdown." There's a fondness in the way he speaks about Ned, a warmth in his tone and smile. He couldn't have landed a better best friend, a better Chair Guy.
"There's a spot out back, a little courtyard thing. We can sit there until first period's over. Got another hour before AP Physics 2. Second block. I mean, if you got time. If May finds me out here on her way to work she might kill me." He grins and moves to pull the helmet on over his head. He feels a little silly, admittedly, but he reminds himself he spends half his time in a powered spandex-turned-metal Spider-Man suit. Or is he Iron Spider? Nah, too lame. Way, way too lame.
no subject
He probably shouldn't encourage him to swing from the Empire State Building, but he doubts Peter needs the encouragement, anyway. Besides, the kid has earned it by now, hasn't he?
Steve smiles as Peter speaks of his friend. It's impossible to miss the fondness in his demeanor as he does so, and he's glad that Peter has that. Considering the influence Bucky had in his life, and how Steve doesn't know how in the hell he could have survived without him, he's glad that Peter has someone like that in his life as well.
"Ah, right," he responds as he glances over towards the front door of the building before he gets on the bike, starting the engine as Peter gets on. "Yeah, I definitely got time." Once he gets the address, Steve just nods and instructs him to hang on before he starts the drive over to his school. Overall, the ride over is smooth and he moves the bike through traffic with ease, and by the time they make it to the school he parks in the back as requested. For a moment he wonders if he should have asked him if he was hungry, or if he wanted to stop elsewhere before coming here, but maybe that would have caused bigger problems. He's not sure how much people are still hounding them with questions, wanting pictures or to talk about what happened, and Steve doesn't want his time with Peter to be taken over by any of it.
"Nice campus," he comments as he walks with Peter towards the courtyard. "I'm not going to get you in trouble by keeping you here, right?"
no subject
The ride doesn't take long but Peter enjoys it for what it is. There's no pretending here, no reason to plaster on a silly smile to cover up the fact that he'd been much closer to Tony Stark than the public could ever know. It gives him some time to recenter himself, so that when they're walking in the courtyard after, he doesn't feel so taken aback, surprised.
"Nah, I mean if they catch me out here detention's really not that big of a deal anyway. I think they're giving a lot of people breaks, with the Blip and all." He shrugs a shoulder and digs a toe into the concrete, kicking a pebble along the walkway. "It's like thirty minutes of watching some videos and we can usually do our homework. Aunt May might yell at me a little but I think she's chilled out a lot. Turns out when you're the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man detention doesn't seem like it's that big of a deal."
He laughs a little and rubs awkwardly at the back of his head. As they walk, they come to a small fountain. It's not turned on, but in the center sits a tiger, the school's mascot, surrounded by stone birds and flora. "Hey, uh. Can I... can I ask you a question?"
Peter doesn't look at Steve as he approaches the fountain and moves to sit up on its edge. He looks across at the back of the school, the campus quiet as all of its students settle into their morning lectures. His phone buzzes and without checking, he knows it will be Ned.
"Does any of this stuff get easier?" His voice goes quiet, as though the fountain itself might overhead. "The uh, the fighting." The part where they lose people. "All the creepy alien stuff and the bad guys. When I found out what I was... I mean, what happened to me, I knew I should use it to do something good, but—" A small intake of breath. "It doesn't feel like enough."